Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) overcomes court intrigue to win favor with Queen Elizabeth I (Bette Davis) in order to get financing for a proposed voyage to the New World.
Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) gains an audience with Queen Elizabeth I (Bette Davis) and soon wins her over to his way of thinking. He wants ships to sail and make a name for England. A young ward of the court, Beth Throgmorton (Dame Joan Collins), is strongly attracted to Raleigh and returns the attraction. But soon the Queen shows her desires and he bends in order to achieve his goal of ships. But still, he loves Beth.Written by
McGinty <McGinty@aol.com>
The second time that Bette Davis portrayed English monarch Queen Elizabeth I. The first being The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939). See more »
Goofs
At the concluding scene of the movie, Queen Elizabeth looks through her window with a telescope, an invention of 1608, five years after her death in 1603. See more »
Quotes
[the Queen enters as Raleigh is on his knees trying to pick up Beth Throgmorton's broken pearl necklace]
Queen Elizabeth I:
[to Beth]
Is this your pet swine? You've cast your pearls before him.
See more »
Crazy Credits
Opening credits prologue: In 1581 all the roads of England led to London -- for better or worse. See more »
I cannot help but be disappointed by the reviews this movie has thusfar received in IMDb, but not surprised.
With respect to Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, neither of those ladies can hold a patch on the brilliant Bette Davis, perhaps the greatest actress ever, as the immortal Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps the greatest monarch that England ever knew.
Whether or not the movie is weak history, the movie shines as a vehicle for La Davis. Richard Todd gives a decent performance, although I submit he has neither the acting chops nor the charisma of Errol Flynn. But he serves well in the role.
The costumes, cinematography and screenplay are bright and arresting. And like it or not, Bette Davis' brilliant, mannered, and astoundingly powerful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I has informed every ensuing depiction of the Virgin Queen
14 of 16 people found this review helpful.
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I cannot help but be disappointed by the reviews this movie has thusfar received in IMDb, but not surprised.
With respect to Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, neither of those ladies can hold a patch on the brilliant Bette Davis, perhaps the greatest actress ever, as the immortal Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps the greatest monarch that England ever knew.
Whether or not the movie is weak history, the movie shines as a vehicle for La Davis. Richard Todd gives a decent performance, although I submit he has neither the acting chops nor the charisma of Errol Flynn. But he serves well in the role.
The costumes, cinematography and screenplay are bright and arresting. And like it or not, Bette Davis' brilliant, mannered, and astoundingly powerful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I has informed every ensuing depiction of the Virgin Queen