Elizabeth (1998)

A film of the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.

Director:

Shekhar Kapur

Writer:

Michael Hirst

Stars:

Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston

Won 1 Oscar. Another 34 wins & 53 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cate Blanchett	...	Elizabeth I
Geoffrey Rush	...	Sir Francis Walsingham
Christopher Eccleston	...	Duke of Norfolk
Joseph Fiennes	...	Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Richard Attenborough	...	Sir William Cecil
Fanny Ardant	...	Mary of Guise
Eric Cantona	...	Monsieur de Foix
Vincent Cassel	...	Duc d'Anjou
Kathy Burke	...	Queen Mary Tudor
Edward Hardwicke	...	Earl of Arundel
Emily Mortimer	...	Kat Ashley
John Gielgud	...	The Pope
Liz Giles	...	Female Martyr
Rod Culbertson	...	Master Ridley
Paul Fox	...	Male Martyr

Storyline

This film details the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, as played by Cate Blanchett. The main focus is the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.

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Plot Keywords:

16th century | catholic | queen | british royal family | queen elizabeth i | 

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Taglines:

Absolute power demands absolute loyalty.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sexuality

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen

Filming Locations:

Warkworth Castle, Warkworth, Northumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£166,174 (UK) (2 October 1998)

Gross:

$30,012,990 (USA) (7 May 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films, Channel Four Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Eccleston's character the Duke of Norfolk doesn't actually do much in the film, despite being the principal villain. So, in order to create a sense of action for him, the director chose to show Norfolk in motion as much as possible.

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Goofs

Pope Julius II is featured in a scene in this movie, even though he had already died by the time Elizabeth was a little girl.

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Quotes

Queen Mary: Why will you not confess your crimes against me?
Elizabeth: Because, Your Majesty, I have committed none.
Queen Mary: You speak with such sincerity. I see you are still a consummate actress. My husband is gone. They have poisoned my child. They say it is a tumor.
[Moans in pain]
Elizabeth: Madam, you are not well.
Queen Mary: They say this cancer will make you queen, but they are wrong. Look there, it is your death warrant. All I need do is sign it.
Elizabeth: Mary, if you sign that paper you will be murdering your own sister.

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Connections

References Ivan the Terrible, Part II (1958)

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Soundtracks

Requiem Aeternam
from "Requiem"
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

Masterful

I'm not big on historical dramas, but I saw this because I'm interested in that period. The film is a thing of beauty. The cinematography, lighting, and editing are masterful. The acting is superb: refined, and not overdone as can be the case in these things. Blanchett and Rush are especially good. All in all, a wonderful film.