Elizabeth (1998)

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, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson

Won 1 Oscar. Another 33 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liz Giles	...	Female Martyr
Rod Culbertson	...	Master Ridley
Paul Fox	...	Male Martyr
Terence Rigby	...	Bishop Gardiner
Christopher Eccleston	...	Duke of Norfolk
Peter Stockbridge	...	Palace Chamberlain
Amanda Ryan	...	Lettice Howard
Kathy Burke	...	Queen Mary Tudor
Valerie Gale	...	Mary's Dwarf
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

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:

queen elizabeth i | english queen | kingdom of england | throne | catholic | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

As well as having Queen Elizabeth I as a main characters in both movies, Shakespeare in Love (1998) also shared cast members Geoffrey Rush and Joseph Fiennes with this movie. Interestingly enough, they were both nominated for Best Picture in 1999, and Shakespeare in Love (1998) was the victor.

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Goofs

In the featurette included on the DVD, the on-screen titling refers to the Duke of Norfolk, played by Christopher Eccleston, as her "Advisary." The correct spelling is "Adversary."

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Quotes

Elizabeth: Just tell me why.
Lord Robert: Why? Madam, is it not plain enough to you? 'Tis no easy thing to be loved by the queen. It would corrupt the soul of any man.

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Connections

Referenced in The EE British Academy Film Awards (2016)

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Soundtracks

Requiem Aeternam
from "Requiem"
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

This interesting movie describes the turbulent ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First,

Good costumer drama that takes a brilliant look at the agitated life of famous Queen of England . This is a sweeping chronicle of 16th-century English Queen from his beginning until splendor years . She was declared illegitimate aged 3 and tried for treason aged 21 ; however being crowned Queen aged 25 . At the beginning , Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) was imprisoned by Bloody Mary (Kathy Burke) , who rightly feared Protestant plots to place Elizabeth on the throne . She's the Protestant Elizabeth , she was a brilliant stateswoman who managed to restore England to power and glory amidst public and private confusion . This excellent historic drama recreates the wars , loves , turmoil and struggle for power by Robert Dudley , Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes) whom the Queen Elizabeth I both loved and feared , and whose downfall she ultimately invoked . Elizabeth indeed proved to be her father's daughter as she must keep her head, her mother was Anne Boleyn , executed for alleged adultery . To ensure her security on the kingdom , Elizabeth has to show some leadership, which includes, according to some of her many adviser (Richard Attenborough , Edward Hardwicke , Christopher Eccleston , Geoffrey Rush) . Meanwhile, she's dealing with Protestant religion, intrigues with Spain and France and the vexing question of a political marriage to French prince (Vincent Cassel) . Elizabeth chose her advisers with consummate care, and she was well served by them . The first and best was William Cecil,1st Baron Burghley , he stayed in office for forty years. The heathen Protestant Elizabeth dreads the prospect of the Catholic Church followers and Pope (John Gielgud) about her ascending the English throne , leading to intrigue and divisiveness within the court . 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.

This is a correct portrayal about political intrigue , lovers and war during the Elizabeth I kingdom . As are splendidly recreated intrigues , treason , turmoil and power fight of its time , including her troublesome days and machinations surrounding . It's magnificently captured by marvelous sets , splendid production design and glamorous gowns . This elaborate , colorful costumer drama packs outstanding performances from Cate Blanchet as an impulsive queen , Joseph Fiennes as a dashing and arrogant Earl , besides a top-notch support cast giving strong acting , such as the charismatic Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham , Richard Attenborough as Sir William Cecil , Christopher Eccleston as Duke of Norfolk , Jamie Foreman as Earl of Sussex , Fanny Ardant as Mary of Guise , Vincent Cassel as Duc d'Anjou , Kelly MacDonald , James Frain , Emily Mortimer , Amanda Ryan , among them . The fine cast does quite well in historic setting . This interesting historical drama contains a wonderful cinematography that adds color to the atmosphere by Remi Adefarasin who also photographed the second part titled ¨Elizabeth: The Golden Age¨ . Evocative and imaginative musical score fitting to the past time by David Hirschfelder . The motion picture was rightly written by by Michael Hirst (The Tudor) and finely directed by Shakar Kapur , an Indian director , costumer expert (Elizabeth I and II , Bandit Queen , Four feathers).

Other renditions about this known Queen are the following : ¨Elizabeth : The golden age¨ with Cate Blanchett , Jordi Molla , Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush directed by Shekar Kapur ; ¨Elizabeth R¨ directed by Herbert Wise (72, TV) with Bette Davis ; ¨Elizabeth the Queen¨ (68, TV) with Judith Anderson and Charlton Heston ; and classic version , ¨The Queen Virgin¨ by George Sidney with Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger and ¨The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex¨ by Michael Curtiz with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn , among others

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen

Filming Locations:

Warkworth Castle, Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Morpeth, Northumberland, England, UK

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

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