Elizabeth I (2005– )

Miniseries about the the public and private lives of the later years of Queen Elizabeth I.

Stars:

Helen Mirren, Hugh Dancy, Toby Jones

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 20 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Helen Mirren	...	Elizabeth I (2 episodes, 2005)
Hugh Dancy	...	Earl of Essex (2 episodes, 2005)
Toby Jones	...	Robert Cecil (2 episodes, 2005)
Patrick Malahide	...	Sir Francis Walsingham (2 episodes, 2005)
Ian McDiarmid	...	Lord Burghley (2 episodes, 2005)
Toby Salaman	...	Dr Lopez (2 episodes, 2005)
Ann Firbank	...	Lady Anne (2 episodes, 2005)
Jeremy Irons	...	Earl of Leicester (2 episodes, 2005)

Storyline

Miniseries about the the public and private lives of the later years of Queen Elizabeth I.

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Plot Keywords:

queen elizabeth i | queen | bare chested male bondage | harpsichord | interrogation | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

HBO [us]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elisabet I

Filming Locations:

Lithuanian Film Studios, Vilnius, Lithuania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Company Pictures, Channel 4 Television Corporation, HBO Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

223 min 223 min (2 parts)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Elizabeth visits Mary Queen of Scots, Mary is wearing a large crucifix and chain. A few moments later, Mary's crucifix has vanished from her chain. When Elizabeth leaves, the long shot shows the crucifix has returned.

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Quotes

[Elizabeth is going to visit Mary Stuart at Fotheringay Castle]
Queen Elizabeth I: I understand she's grown very fat. Well, she's had nothing to do but eat and sleep.
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester: And plot, Your Majesty.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.72 (2009)

User Reviews

Gloriana!

Though many a fine actress has essayed the role of Elizabeth I and done so quite successfully, each finding her own vision of the most important queen that ever lived and translating that to film (Cate Blanchette, Bette Davis, Judi Dench, and Glenda Jackson to name but a few), it should come as no surprise that the enormously gifted actress Helen Mirren could show us yet another aspect of Elizabeth.

This Elizabeth is set in her middle fifties, a woman still able to maintain her reputation as the Virgin Queen while settling into various assignations. Here Elizabeth is in love with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy) while being prepped for a 'proper union' with France's royalty in the form of the Duke of Anjou (Jérémie Covillault). But her 'love life' is only a small yet refreshingly nuanced portion of the long story. Mirren is fortunate to be supported by such fine actors as Jeremy Irons, Patrick Malahide, Toby Jones, Barbara Flynn, Ian McDiarmid, Simon Woods, Diana Kent, and Toby Salaman among the many standout characters.

The visual aspects of the production are some of the more luxurious ever placed on celluloid, with attention to detail in costuming (Mike O'Neill) and sets (Galius Klicius and Leon McCarthy) that are stunning to see. The fine musical score is by Robert Lane and incorporates period music with works written for the piece that stand solidly as classical music compositions. Cinematographers Dmitrij Gribanov and Larry Smith find the right balance between court grandeur and boudoir intimacy. And of course kudos to Director Tom Hooper and writer Nigel Williams! But standing above them all is the brilliance of Helen Mirren's involvement as Elizabeth. She provides us with even more information about the enigmatic queen, allowing us to see both the lusty woman and the brilliant monarch simultaneously. The film is a joy! Highly Recommended.