Against the grain...
Added 10/19/2009
I'm going to go against the grain and say that I loved this movie. I didn't expect a clean and accurate history lesson, so I simply enjoyed the fascinating character of Elizabeth (portrayed perfectly by Cate Balnchett), the stunning cinematography and the gorgeous musical score without worrying about historical accuracy. I was not bored at all while watching this (Unlike "The Queen" with Helen Miren) and I can honestly say that I will be watching this film again.
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For Elizabeth I fans...
Added 10/16/2009
Good, but by no means as good as the first one. Cate Blanchett is, as always, exquisite, but the story line did not go deep enough. They glossed over some major pieces of history.
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Great Acting and Costumes!
Added 10/5/2009
Cate Blanchett alone makes this movie fantastic. Her characterization of Queen Elizabeth is genius - every cell in her body becomes the powerful queen. Cate Blanchett shows Queen Elizabeth's ability to change "masks" - The queen who holds court shows her intelligence, strength, ruthlessness, yet has a sense of ironic humor. The queen in private shows her emotions, love, and fears. There are threats all around her.
Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) appears on the scene and throws his cloak below her feet so she does not step in a puddle. His dashing ways attract her as someone different from the boring duties of the Court. He tells of exciting adventures with savages, brings strange exotic items from the New World: potatoes and tobacco as well as a few Native Americans. her Court. Sir Walter distracts and intrigues her - makes her weak, she knows her rules as Queen, yet she needs him near. He notes that he has named territory after the Virgin Queen "Virginia."
She wants to focus on her responsibilities instead of personal matters. Skullduggery and
treachery is all around. There are fights on what religion should be practiced - an Armada that carries the Spanish Inquisition is coming to England to crush out the Protestants and make Catholicism the national religion. She depends on her advisor Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) to flush out her betrayers. Her own cousin, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) is plotting to have Elizabeth assassinated.
Again, Cate Blanchett is riveting as Queen Elizabeth, and the movie revolves around her role. The movie is excellent and the beautiful costumes, landscapes and sets frame the actress well.
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Terrific visually but often boring as a box of Quaker oats!
Added 7/25/2009
Here we have a wonderfully produced semi-epic film, with sprawling scenes... film art at its best; however, it really drags in terms of action.
In a more positive defense of the film, if you are really into historically-based movies, I think you'll enjoy this one a great deal. But like similar productions such as Becket and Anne of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of Scots, in an effort to accurately convey the tale the details here prey heavily upon the final achievement.
The Story: It's all about the reign of Elizabeth I (1533-1603), daughter of Henry [Tudor] VIII and one of England's most renowned and controversial queens. There's a particular focus on Elizabeth's troubles with both Spain and with the large Catholic population of her country. (Henry VIII had been excommunicated by Pope Clement VII. The King had married the sensual Anne Boleyn, [mother of Elizabeth I] absent the Pope's approval of an annulment from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and then Henry subsequently established the Protestant Church of England.) The story also involves Elizabeth's rocky relationship with her Catholic cousin and rival for the British throne, Mary Queen of Scots who was ultimately executed by a malevolent Elizabeth.
I feel additionally compelled to remark that the casting for this movie was near-perfect as were the indoor sets and outdoor locations. For this specific reason, I would especially recommend that you view the movie in its widescreen version on the biggest widescreen television you can find.
In summary, if history is your thing, you'll likely award this 1 hour and 55 minute film four or five stars. If not, you'll probably be bored to tears.
TIP: Many public libraries carry this DVD to loan out free-of-charge... you might consider borrowing it and afterward purchasing it if it turns out that you enjoyed the film.
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Fantasy movie...
Added 6/7/2009
If you're not familiar with real history ,like the majority of people are, then this movie would seem like a very entertaning one. On the other hand if you know a bit about history you would realize that this movie is so innacurate that at times it seems like a fantasy. Also they portray the spaniards looking like if they were from some South American country(no disrespect)and all of them dress in black to make them look like the bad guys, prince Phillip II is portrayed like a limping weirdo completely out of touch with reality. I just wish Hollywood would make a real good movie about this subject without taking sides and portraying both the English and the Spaniards as accurate as possible the way they really were along with the real reasons why the armada campaign came to be.......
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Against the grain...
Added 10/19/2009
I'm going to go against the grain and say that I loved this movie. I didn't expect a clean and accurate history lesson, so I simply enjoyed the fascinating character of Elizabeth (portrayed perfectly by Cate Balnchett), the stunning cinematography and the gorgeous musical score without worrying about historical accuracy. I was not bored at all while watching this (Unlike "The Queen" with Helen Miren) and I can honestly say that I will be watching this film again.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
For Elizabeth I fans...
Added 10/16/2009
Good, but by no means as good as the first one. Cate Blanchett is, as always, exquisite, but the story line did not go deep enough. They glossed over some major pieces of history.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Great Acting and Costumes!
Added 10/5/2009
Cate Blanchett alone makes this movie fantastic. Her characterization of Queen Elizabeth is genius - every cell in her body becomes the powerful queen. Cate Blanchett shows Queen Elizabeth's ability to change "masks" - The queen who holds court shows her intelligence, strength, ruthlessness, yet has a sense of ironic humor. The queen in private shows her emotions, love, and fears. There are threats all around her.
Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) appears on the scene and throws his cloak below her feet so she does not step in a puddle. His dashing ways attract her as someone different from the boring duties of the Court. He tells of exciting adventures with savages, brings strange exotic items from the New World: potatoes and tobacco as well as a few Native Americans. her Court. Sir Walter distracts and intrigues her - makes her weak, she knows her rules as Queen, yet she needs him near. He notes that he has named territory after the Virgin Queen "Virginia."
She wants to focus on her responsibilities instead of personal matters. Skullduggery and
treachery is all around. There are fights on what religion should be practiced - an Armada that carries the Spanish Inquisition is coming to England to crush out the Protestants and make Catholicism the national religion. She depends on her advisor Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) to flush out her betrayers. Her own cousin, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) is plotting to have Elizabeth assassinated.
Again, Cate Blanchett is riveting as Queen Elizabeth, and the movie revolves around her role. The movie is excellent and the beautiful costumes, landscapes and sets frame the actress well.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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