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Elizabeth (1998)

Trailer
2:24 | Trailer
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
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Popularity
2,353 ( 372)
Won 1 Oscar. Another 33 wins & 55 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liz Giles Liz Giles ... Female Martyr
Rod Culbertson Rod Culbertson ... Master Ridley
Paul Fox ... Male Martyr
Terence Rigby ... Bishop Gardiner
Christopher Eccleston ... Duke of Norfolk
Peter Stockbridge Peter Stockbridge ... Palace Chamberlain
Amanda Ryan ... Lettice Howard
Kathy Burke ... Queen Mary Tudor
Valerie Gale Valerie Gale ... Mary's Dwarf
George Antoni George Antoni ... King Philip II of Spain (as George Yiasoumi)
James Frain ... Alvaro de la Quadra
Jamie Foreman ... Earl of Sussex
Edward Hardwicke ... Earl of Arundel
Cate Blanchett ... Elizabeth I
Emily Mortimer ... Kat Ashley
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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. Written by CharmedGirl47

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Declared illegitimate aged 3. Tried for treason aged 21. Crowned Queen aged 25. See more »


Certificate:

12 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the reasons why Vincent Cassel signed on for this movie was because he relished the opportunity of shooting a scene in drag. See more »

Goofs

At 1:23:12, midway up the Scottish castle in the background, the flash of a passing car is visible. See more »

Quotes

Sir Francis Walsingham: Madam, if I may. A prince should never flinch from being blamed for acts of ruthlessness which are necessary for safeguarding the state and their own person. You must take these things so much to heart that you do not fear to strike. Even the very nearest that you have if they be implicated.
See more »


Soundtracks

Rondeas I and VII
from "Dansereyr" 1551
Composed by Tylman Susato
Performed by New London Consort
Conducted by Philip Pickett
See more »

User Reviews

What Tamed Passion!
13 July 2000 | by PivoGirlSee all my reviews

In a year overwhelmed with reminiscent films, Elizabeth rises above the rest to become one of few stunning manifestations of the Hollywood Renaissance. Certainly acknowledged by the Oscars garnering 7 nominations, Shekhar Kapur's intimate portrait of a young Elizabeth further expands the modern view on a distant monarch, whose maturing reign as well as taming nature continued to dazzle the 20th century viewers.

Presented here by a superb cast led by Golden-Globe winner Cate Blanchett, early Elizabethean era turmoil and upheaval are captured brilliantly. The lush set itself is a feast for the eye as the audience is drawn to follow a passionate young Elizabeth's path. Against the dark setting of medieval stone castles, a blooming Golden Age approaches as England expands to take control in a world of great unrest after Catholic Queen Mary's death. Her Protestant half-sister, Elizabeth daughter of Anne Bolyne is placed on a throne of a kingdom torn between religion. Cate Blanchett does a fabulous job capturing the details of a frustrated young woman waking to the merciless reality of queenhood--surrounded by enemies such as Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston). Constantly by her side is her reverent adviser Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) who advises Elizabeth to marry for convenience choosing from a "pool" of ready political candidates--while Elizabeth herself is long set on her lover from the past Sir Robert Dudley (a charming Joseph Fiennes). Yet just as England learns to wake up from the medieval dream, Elizabeth learns the bitterness of betrayal as she looks to Sir Francis Walsingham (Jeffrey Rush)'s counsel.

Focusing on Elizabeth's subtle changes of phase from fire to ice at a distant in the midst of a grander panorama beautifully shot, the audience gradually distinguishes her footsteps from the shedding of innocence to a tough ruler that dares to strike first against her enemies, to ultimately become the Virgin Queen to reign above all men.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

29 October 1998 (Germany) See more »

Also Known As:

Elizabeth See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$275,131, 8 November 1998

Gross USA:

$30,082,699

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$82,150,642
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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