"Elizabeth R" (1971) TV mini-series

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

When Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisors know she has to marry. Doesn't she? Thus...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Queen Of England | TV Mini-Series | Monarchy | Queen Elizabeth I

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Glenda Jackson	...	Queen Elizabeth I (6 episodes, 1971)
Ronald Hines	...	William Cecil (Lord Burghley) (5 episodes, 1971)
Stephen Murray	...	Walsingham (3 episodes, 1971)
Robert Hardy	...	Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) (3 episodes, 1971)
Angela Thorne	...	Lettice, Lady Leicester (3 episodes, 1971)
John Shrapnel	...	Earl of Sussex (3 episodes, 1971)
Robin Ellis	...	Robert Devereaux (Earl of Essex) (2 episodes, 1971)
Rachel Kempson	...	Kat Ashley (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Howell	...	Lord Howard (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Jeffrey	...	King Philip II of Spain (2 episodes, 1971)
Vivian Pickles	...	Mary Queen Scots (2 episodes, 1971)

Runtime:

85 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Parham Park, Storrington, West Sussex, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Two hundred gowns were made for the serial just for Glenda Jackson. Some costumes were so heavily padded that the actress could barely bend her arms, others were so heavy that she had to remain seated while wearing them. Some gowns required the use of weights to maintain their shape, and some costumes were so large that Jackson found it difficult to negotiate her way through doors.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The courtyard in Elizabeth's palace contains an aviary with several Australian white cockatoos - long before any European had landed in Australia.

Quotes:

Queen Elizabeth I: I thought that if all other men deserted me, you would not.
Robert Dudley: I would die for you!
Queen Elizabeth I: What is that to do with it?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments (2008) (TV)

Historically Correct Mini Series

Only the BBC could produce such a historically correct mini-series on this fascinating character. Although Cate Blanchett did a very good job portraying Elizabeth, Glenda Jackson nails the character on a lesser set and with fewer flattering camera angles. Jackson becomes more Elizabeth and less Jackson as this very long series plods on. If you want lots of swordplay and action, pass on this one. This is for someone who enjoys reading history biographies, not historical novels. Although production values are a bit dated, you will not be disappointed by the detail of the story and the portrayal of the main character by Jackson.