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Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough ... see more see more... , Fanny Ardant , Kathy Burke , Eric Cantona , James Frain , Vincent Cassel , Daniel Craig , John Gielgud , Angus Deayton , Edward Hardwicke , Terence Rigby , Amanda Ryan , Kelly Macdonald , Emily Mortimer

This British-made historical drama depicts the rise of young Elizabeth Tudor to Queen of England, a reign of intrigue and betrayals. In 1554, Queen Mary I (Kathy Burke) tries to restore Catholicism as... read more read more... England's single faith. With no heir to the crown, she maneuvers to keep her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) from succeeding her, but her efforts fail. With Mary dead, Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen of England in November 1558. Elizabeth relishes the return from exile of her childhood sweetheart, Lord Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes). Chief adviser Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) urges the young Queen to forget personal matters and instead address the country's pressing problems. England is bankrupt, has no army, and is under serious threat from abroad. Elizabeth even has enemies within her own court, the most dangerous being the Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston). Hoping for an heir, Cecil suggests marriage candidates -- King Philip II of Spain or the French Duc d'Anjou (Vincent Cassel) -- to secure the realm. Elizabeth agrees to meet their ambassadors, but her true feelings are revealed when she meets Dudley for a secret tryst. French "warrior queen" Mary of Guise (Fanny Ardent) amasses troops at the Scottish border. Elizabeth bows to the pro-War lobby led by Norfolk, despite protests from her Master of Spies, the enigmatic Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), but the decision to fight leads to a humiliating defeat. As dark clouds of court conspiracies gather, and the possibility of assassination looms, Elizabeth strikes out at her enemies and puts her trust in Walsingham. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice, Toronto), this is the first English-language film of Indian director Shekhar Kapur, who shot on locations at Northumberland, Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, and at Shepperton Studios. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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85% liked it

60,493 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

49 critics

R, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Shekhar Kapur

Release Date: November 6, 1998

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DVD Release Date: May 25, 1999

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Stats: 4,854 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,854)

  • garyX
    April 11, 2012
    garyX
    Elizabeth chronicles the life of Elizabeth I from innocent young girl to one of the shrewdest and most politically savvy monarchs in England's history. Shekhar Kapur's story of the early life of the virgin queen certainly has a very impressive cast and the material concerns itsel... read moref with one of the most fascinating periods of British history but the film suffers for his approach. The early part of the film resembles a melodramatic soap opera more than anything else and suffers greatly for his unsophisticated direction that seems far more interested with unnecessary visual embellishment than story telling. Things settle down after Elizabeth is crowned Queen however, and as Geoffrey Rush's Walsingham becomes more involved in the political machinations it all gets a lot more interesting. The performances are all solid and the costumes as attractive as you'd expect but there's something a little "made for TV" about it all. Kapur's direction is the main culprit, but the photography is also not as attractive as it might be making it lack the historically epic sweep I was expecting. It never descends into absurd romantic fantasy in a similar way to its sequel however, and as a whole Elizabeth stands up as a solid if unspectacular historical drama.
  • ironclad1609
    April 2, 2012
    ironclad1609
    This excellent historical drama turned newcomer Cate Blanchett into a star thanks to a brilliant performance as the young queen Elisabeth the First. The rest of the cast is just as outstanding, especially Geoffrey Rush as her protector, who seems to sense every plot and intrigue ... read morea mile away. The film takes its tension from the situation of pretty much everyone being against the young queen and her being forced to choose between several options of political marriage, while she is in love with someone else. The web of danger, betrayal and intrigues is very enthralling and helps the film maneuver through a few slow sequences. The cinematography is absolutely stunning, though. An entertaining, interesting and impressive history lesson.
  • fb1576983399
    January 31, 2012
    fb1576983399
    This film is boring and forgettable. The one thing it does well is develop the Elizabeth character from a light hearted gal into a cold-blooded queen. However, the acting was so-so, the writing was plain and the editing was poor: Several scenes served no purpose but to prolong th... read moreis mind-numbing bore-fest.
  • fb1672039553
    January 30, 2012
    fb1672039553
    Trying to be both a cut-throat political thriller and a character study of the independent Queen Elizabeth I, this film is forced to take shortcuts and lie in order to create an essence of a queen's journey to self-discovery and strength in just 2 hours. It's very accessible and ... read moremainstream as well as shallow and very misleading. Cate Blanchett's performance carries this movie.
  • ajv2688
    September 30, 2011
    ajv2688
    I saw this movie in a class a long time ago, it was strange, and I didn't really understand everything that was going on. Maybe if I try it again.
  • jamers2011
    July 4, 2011
    jamers2011
    A great period biopic piece...Cate Blanchett is STUNNING! She completely deserved her Oscar nomination, she may have even deserved to win, but I have yet to see Shakespeare in Love for Gwyenth Paltrow's performance. I also liked Joseph Fiennes character and performance.

    I grea... read moret film! A must see!
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 12, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    A stunning period piece, Elizabeth is a terrific piece of historical drama. The film explores the early of Elizabeth I of England. The film touches on many aspects of her reign. The production is stunning, the costumes, music and acting are terrific. Director Shekur Kapur crafts... read more a wonderful film and under his direction, Elizabeth is simply stunning. The best way you can look at this film is by viewing it as a work of art. The film oozes with elegance and serves as a good historical piece of cinema, I never thought I would enjoy a film like this, but I just love films that touches on historical matters. Cate Blanchett delivers a triumphant performance as Elizabeth and she steals every scene that she's in. Aside from Blanchett, director Shekhar Kapur assembled a fine cast of actors to play alongside Blanchett. Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Eccleston, Richard Attenborough are some of the many of the fine cast of actors who deliver on screen. Elizabeth is a sweeping dramatic film that portrays the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I, one of England's most beloved monarchs. The film feels long at times, but Kapur's directing allows for a great deal of tension in this film. The film evokes the tense situation of 1500's Great Britain as Elizabeth must deal with several threats to her Throne. The film examines how a naive girl became a mature head of state as well.This is one of the aspects of the film that I enjoyed because at first you don't think that her reign will survive, due the religious assassination threats ordered by the Vatican (Elizabeth was a Protestant, not a Catholic), and threat of invasion, and so forth. However despite all odds, she manages to come out on top and initiate the Golden Age Of England. Elizabeth, in summary is a tense and stunning historical drama film and is brilliantly directed by Shekur Khapur. His film is a phenomenal achievement, and is one great period piece. A future classic for sure.
  • cosmo313
    November 1, 2010
    cosmo313
    When I was younger, this kind of thing would have been completely boring and dumb to me. Now that I'm older, I found a lot to like ,and realize that this is far from boring. Even though I watched this for a class I'm taking, it's the type of thing that I might see voluntarily, bu... read moret I wouldn't go out of my way to see.

    Obvious liberties and inaccuracies aside, this is a pretty solid, clever, and quite entertaining historical drama. Period piece costume dramas (historical based or not) have never been my favorite, but I certainly appreciate them. This film can be seen as a great character study, and a fine example of waht it takes to be an effective female ruler. This is how you do it right. It's hardly ever pretty, and almost always risky, but hey, sometimes, you have to take chances and piss people off to succeed.

    This was the star making performance for Cate Blanchett, and she gives a strong performance here. Her portrayal of Elizabeth's transformation from the wartm and sensitive romantic to te cold, calculating "virgin queen" is wonderful. Geoffrey Rush is incredible as the ruthless but effective Walsingham. As my professor said, "everyone needs a Walingham." I agree. Joseph Fiennes left a little to be desired, but he wasn't terrible. Eccleston is good, and Attenborough is alright too, but for me, I liked Daniel Craig in his brief but fun role, and Vincent Cassell is terrific (both in general and a campy way) in a brief scene stealing role. He really reminded me of Tom Hulce in "Amadeus".

    The location shooting, sets, costues, and art direction are just gorgeous to look at, and make you appreciate the work that was put into them, Some of the high angle shots got a little overbearing and tedious, but still, I loved the places they got to film in.

    Give this one a shot. It's entertaining and solid, even if it's not perfect. It kind of helps to have some prior knowledge though, but it's not completely required.
  • lewiskendell
    July 29, 2010
    lewiskendell
    "I am my father's daughter. I am not afraid of anything."

    I'll admit that I enjoyed recent historical dramas like The Duchess and The Young Victoria. But sometimes, pardon my language, I want to see a historical drama with some balls. And I don't mean the kind with dancing and f... read moreancy dresses. Elizabeth fits that descriptor admirably.

    The movie opens with a chilling scene precluding the execution of some Protestant rebels, which does an effective job of setting the tone for one of the central conflicts of that time and the move; the conflict between the supporters of the Catholic church and the Protestants (of which Elizabeth was a steadfast member, to the dismay of many).

    Elizabeth covers the time period stretching from the early dangers she faced at the hands of her suspicious half-sister, Queen Mary I, to the political and personal successes and failures of the early part of her 44 year reign. We watch as she faces rebellion and betrayal, and gradually sheds her inexperience to become a forceful, capable, and independent ruler.

    Cate Blanchett is a fantastic actress. That should be a surprise to no one. And she certainly looks the part. She makes for a fine Queen Elizabeth. As for the rest of the cast (sans one person, in particular), I found them all to be suitable. Blanchett is clearly the focus of the movie, though, and the film works because it rests so well on her queenly shoulders. As for the settings, costumes, etc., they're less opulent than those that I've seen in some more recent movies of this type, but they serve their purpose within the story well.

    My only real problem with the movie (besides how comically evil some members of the Roman Catholic church were portrayed to be) was Robert Fiennes in the role of Lord Robert. His character seemed like he would be right at home in a bad romance novel, and I found myself rolling my eyes or losing interest nearly every time he was on screen. He was the wrong actor for the part, too much of the movie was unwisely (and unnecessarily) focused on him, and his interactions with Elizabeth were handled atrociously. Those were the only weak scenes in a very strong movie, but they did force me to drop my score. Other than that, though, I highly recommend Elizabeth.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 21, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Excellent. I love Cate Blanchett.

View All Elizabeth Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
January 11, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Cate Blanchett gives a bravura performance in this dark and lurid account, which is done from a contemporary standoint as a conspiracy thriller, emphasizing the violent actions Full Review

Dan Jardine
September 12, 2007
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide

Dank interior castle settings create a claustrophobic intensity that underscores the growing sense of paranoia and people's sinister machinations in this battle for England. Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet
December 6, 2004
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

More often than not, it's a watchable and thought-provoking history lesson rather than the captivating, revealing, intimate portrait it wants to be.

James Rocchi
November 7, 2002
James Rocchi, Netflix

Drama of the ascendancy of England's most powerful queen brims with great acting, brilliant direction. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
May 31, 2002
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

É como um livro de História - mas sem a didática que tornou admiráveis outros exemplares afins produzidos pelo Cinema. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 3, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A well-done drama about power politics and the cult of personality. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
October 24, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

An excellent film, it does not warrant a higher rating because it assumes the audience is very familiar with Elizabeth I's rise to the throne.

Chuck Rudolph
April 20, 2001
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

Junkyard filth masquerading as an important history lesson. Full Review

Widgett Walls
January 1, 2000
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

This is a fine piece of filmmaking that gives you history but still contains the right elements of sex, intrigue and suspense to keep it from being starched. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Shekhar Kapur is not a native of Great Britain but was raised in India, who admittedly knew little about Elizabeth when assigned this film. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Mary of Guise: Go back to England, and take this to your Queen. Hm?
    • Mary of Guise: [in French, to herself] English blood on French colors. [turns to her officer]
    • Sir Francis Walsingham: Madam, if I may. A prince should never flinch from being blamed for acts of ruthlessness which are necessary for safe guarding 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.
    • Elizabeth I: She has such power over men's hearts. They died for her.
    • Sir Francis Walsingham: They have found nothing to replace her.
    • Elizabeth I: She has such power over men's hearts. They died for her.
    • Elizabeth I: He shall be kept alive to always remind me of how close I came to danger.
    • Elizabeth I: Observe, Lord Burghley, I am married... to England.
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