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Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Vincent Price, Donald Crisp ... see more see more... , Alan Hale , Henry Stephenson , Henry Daniell , James Stephenson , Ralph Forbes , Robert Warwick , Leo G Carroll , Judith Anderson , Guy Bellis , Nanette Fabray , Forrester Harvey , I. Stanford Jolley , Doris Lloyd , John Sutton , Rosella Towne , Maris Wrixon

It is no secret that Bette Davis and Errol Flynn were at each other's throats throughout the filming of The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Boiled down to essentials: Davis felt that Flynn was u... read more read more...nprofessional, while Flynn thought that Davis took herself too damned seriously. Besides, Davis had wanted Laurence Olivier to play the Earl of Essex opposite her Queen Elizabeth I. She was forced to compromise on this point, but refused to allow Flynn proxy top billing via his suggestion that the film be retitled The Knight and the Lady. The finished product, a lavish Technicolor costumer allowing full scope to Davis' histrionics and Flynn's derring-do, betrays little of the backstage hostilities (though Flynn does seem uncomfortably hammy in his scenes with Davis). Adapted by Norman Reilly Raine and Aeneas McKenzie from Maxwell Anderson's blank-verse play Elizabeth the Queen (which served as the film's reissue title), the story concerns the tempestuous relationship between the middle-aged Elizabeth and the ambitious Essex. At one point, the Queen intends to marry Essex and relinquish her throne, until she realizes that his plans for advancement would ultimately prove disastrous for England. When afforded the opportunity to execute Essex for treason, she reluctantly signs his death warrant. Minutes before his final walk to the chopping block, Elizabeth begs Essex to ask for a pardon. But Essex, fully aware that his warlike policies will only resurface if he is permitted to live, refuses to accept the Queen's mercy, and goes off to meet his doom. Olivia de Havilland is wasted in the role of a lady-in-waiting who carries a torch for Essex. If the scenes of Essex' triumphant return to London after winning the battle of Cadiz seem familiar, it is because they were reused as stock footage in Warner Bros.' The Adventures of Don Juan (1949) and The Story of Mankind (1957). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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68% liked it

2,737 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Release Date: January 1, 1939

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DVD Release Date: April 19, 2005

Stats: 116 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (116)

  • blacksheepboy
    April 18, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    A film that basically relies on exchanges of fine dialogue. The war scenes are now naturally dated and the final act is very weak, with the main characters saying one thing only to contradict themselves and keep the plot moving. Even so, it is Davis who raises this film from ordi... read morenary to enjoyable.
  • ajv2688
    September 20, 2010
    ajv2688
    Another average historical drama with an all star cast. Worth watching, but not always very interesting.
  • phubbs1
    July 21, 2009
    phubbs1
    Hadn't seen this before and I was really surprised and pleased at the outcome, being a story based on romance and much talking I was fearful that I would be bored but this is very much in the same vein as 'Robin Hood' with its Technicolour vibrancy, lavish costumes and sets. When... read more I say lavish I mean beautiful and bold right down to the last detail, its almost exquisite in some scenes, every set is stunning and looks pretty faithful to what it may have been like. The costumes too are tremendous, everyman and woman is dressed in amazing period styles that make you wanna wear them haha
    Much of the drama unfolds on obvious sets, beautiful as they are they still look like sets hehe same with some location work....obviously Warner backlots with the odd walkabout in California state somewhere haha but you can forgive.

    As for acting its the usual stuff from Errol, kinda wooden and kinda basic but always looks good while doing it, though here he is outdone clearly by Davis as Elizabeth, powerful, forceful and most of all believeable as the tough female Queen, she was even very 'method' in this role too, shaving her hairline and eyebrows for the true Elizabethan look.
    Flynn and Davis did not get on well as I have read and the scene were Davis slaps Flynn across the face in the courtroom was actually a genuine slap and Flynn's reaction is quite real haha he was pissed bigtime haha classic moment. Davis storms away with this film though, Flynn is a mere speck to her thundering performance.
    Along the way we have Alan Hale again, this time against Flynn in Ireland, check the beautiful swamp sets for the battles in Ireland, and of course the lovely Olivia De Havilland as a lady in waiting Penelope Gray. Lastly enter the great Vincent Price as Sir Walter Raleigh, looking the part in his beautiful outfits and adding a unique feel to the part with his classic vocal tones.

    Its all Curtiz genius again as he produces yet another stunning epic technicolour masterpiece, nowhere near as much action as 'Robin Hood' but it actually looks MORE lavish than Hood if that's possible. Plenty of verbal but its not boring in any way, the dream like colours and look make you keep watching and like all Flynn films its not historically accurate so there is alittle fun to be had, yet its clearly one of his more sensible films with little or no swashbuckling and shooting.
  • moonrivers
    April 26, 2008
    moonrivers
    ms."i'm-a-big-hotsie-totsie-hollywood-actress" (and she was!) davis scorned poor swashbucklilng senor mister flynn as he was only a lowly boy adventurer while, after all, she was an world artiste but...(can she hear me? lemme know if she's comin', ok?) she was wrong. he suits h... read moreis part as a travelling adventurer in service to the crown to a "T" and their chemistries give some actual human feeling to the plots and conspiracies integral to world beating, world-empire making afoot in the 15th century. and there's love too! awwww.
  • Sheiob
    September 17, 2011
    Sheiob
    The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is unbelievably historically inaccurate. Even viewers not fans of the period will undoubtedly gawk at some of the more blatent inventions in the story. Elizabeth's character is a bit irritating, portrayed in most cases as a rather foolish ... read morewoman. The films strengths are mesmerizing costume and set design, filled by many talented actors. Errol Flynn is particularly entertaining in his role as Essex. A great look back at the film industry of the 1930s; while not an accurate look back at Elizabethan England.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 10, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    If You loved Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth, you must compare to the Original with Betty Davis who many believe the Best Actor of All Times.This is so well Done.
  • jam233
    August 27, 2009
    jam233
    I feel this is a wonderful and great film. Bette Davis is spectacular, Errol Flynn is wonderfully dashing, and with Olivia de Havilland as well it has to be good. Outstanding art direction and costumes.
  • sepio41
    November 6, 2008
    sepio41
    1939's version of elizabeth i and her torrid affair with the earl of essex is as fanciful as kapur's 1998 take on elizabeth's early life. but it's just as fun to watch with bette davis stamping, slashing and swatting her way through the role, flynn looking gorgeous and providing... read more subtle counterpoint to davis' tempest and olivia de havilland in solid support.
  • mkatchan
    February 1, 2008
    mkatchan
    Very good film...Errol Flynn is excellent in a less-than-usual-swashbuckling role, and Bette Davis is very good as Elizabeth.
  • jennalynde
    April 25, 2007
    jennalynde
    No one else has ever had the strength of person to portray Elizabeth but Bette Davis and who better to be her loving adversary than Errol Flynn. MAGIC!

View All The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rory L. Aronsky
April 27, 2005
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat

It's a war of minds and wills, but where it stands is at a point where Michael Curtiz still could direct ably, but the material wouldn't give way toward something better. Full Review

Jeremiah Kipp
April 23, 2005
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine

Davis seizes every possible opportunity to make herself into a mad spectacle. Full Review

Matt Bailey
July 20, 2003
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

This strange film--a romantic fable, wholly fictitious yet rooted in historically accurate minutiae--is a pleasure Full Review

Ken Hanke
August 26, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Lavish, star-studded, but ultimately rather dull

October 9, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

March 25, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Carol Cling
April 16, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

John J. Puccio
August 8, 2002
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

No review available.

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The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Trivia

The Private Lives of Elizabeth an... Trivia

  • In The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex What did Bette Dvis do to her face to make her look more like Elizabeth1  Answer »
  • Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Vincent Price all appear in this 1939 historical romance.   Answer »
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