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ElizabethRating:
Release Date: 06 February, 2001 Retail Price: $19.98 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (14 total) |
Elizabeth Reviews
So much for stereotypes.
Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Golda Meir, Victoria, Catherine the Great. Women historically have proven to be as capable as any man when it comes to ruling, and Elizabeth, as depicted in this film, is portrayed in a very strong, very proficient light.
Cate Blanchett captures the authority of the noted queen perfectly, rapturing both her shy school girl resonance, then, as she is forced to either flee or fight, we see Elizabeth become the straightforward and forceful, but loyal, leader of England.
The heart of the film deals with Queen Elizabeth's most deepened period of turmoil. The Roman Catholic Church has issued a private act of aggression on the queen, one that requires a number of assassination attempts. Mary Queen of Scots is involved, as is the Duke of Norfolk (the oh-so-British actor Christopher Eccelston). Where Elizabeth lacks momentary initiative to rid herself of these enemies, she finds it in her very aggressive and very thorough aid, Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush). Even here, however, we sense that Elizabeth is entirely competent when it comes to these dealings.
Elizabeth is a film that depicts the legendary queen as more than the stoic, unflinching woman many history books have painted her as. She is a woman who is deeply in love with a man in the early portions of her leadership, and one that is quite aware of what it means to be compassionate as well as acutely just. Later, we watch this love turn to her nation.
The film is highlighted by memorable performances by Rush, Blanchett, Eccelston, and Joseph Fiennes, who plays Elizabeth's lover, Lord Robert Dudley.
This is certainly no "chick flick" and is one of the most enjoyable films I've seen this year.
Excellent history piece
"Elizabeth" is the story of England's Virgin Queen (played perfectly by Cate Blanchett). This movie is the story of her first years as queen, as she must wage a war with France, deal many coups in her own court, handle Vatican excommunication, and try to survive attempts on her life. But luckily she is not alone. She has politcially smart advisor in William Cecil (stsely Richard Attenborough), a ruthlessly loyal security agent (Geoffrey Rush, my favorite performance in the film) and the emotional support and love of Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).
Just how accurate is this portriet of Elizabethian England? I don't know. But it seems pretty fair assesment of what times could have been like back then. The set design and costumes are marvelous and are important in taking you back to 1500s England. Money in production design was certainly well spent. The acting and writing is always top notch, as the all star cast dictates. And I sepecially liked the "Godfather"-like ending, where all of Elizabeth's enemys are killed in montage.
This is a must see for anyone who likes perios pieces or history buffs. I just loved it for the performances and it's great story.
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