Bertie And Elizabeth (Wide Screen)

Advantages: Beautiful Film, Loverly Story that is well told.
Disadvantages: No Extras on the DVD

...James Wilby ……. Bertie Juliet Aubrey …… Elizabeth Alan Bates ……… George V Eileen Atkins …… Queen Mary Robert Hardy …… President Roosevelt Colin Redgrave … General Montgomery Running Time: 98mins "As a single period drama it knocks Gosford Park into a cocked hat" -The Stage This film is a true story of the romance between Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (the late Queen mother) and King George VI (known to his family as Bertie). Bertie is the second son of King George V, and suffers from a debilitating stammer which makes him a victim of jokes and ridicule by his family and friends. When he meets Elizabeth at a Ball it is for him a least love at first site. Together Elizabeth and Bertie have to overcome opposition to their marriage; Berties Stammer; the Abdication of Berties older brother Edward VIII when he falls in love with the American... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful Film, Loverly Story that is well told.
Disadvantages: No Extras on the DVD

...James Wilby ……. Bertie Juliet Aubrey …… Elizabeth Alan Bates ……… George V Eileen Atkins …… Queen Mary Robert Hardy …… President Roosevelt Colin Redgrave … General Montgomery Running Time: 98mins "As a single period drama it knocks Gosford Park into a cocked hat" -The Stage This film is a true story of the romance between Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (the late Queen mother) and King George VI (known to his family as Bertie). Bertie is the second son of King George V, and suffers from a debilitating stammer which makes him a victim of jokes and ridicule by his family and friends. When he meets Elizabeth at a Ball it is for him a least love at first site. Together Elizabeth and Bertie have to overcome opposition to their marriage; Berties Stammer; the Abdication of Berties older brother Edward VIII when he falls in love with the American... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: brilliant story & very atmospheric
Disadvantages: nothing really - unless you hate historical films

...This has an cast full of excellent actors such as Cate Blanchett, Joesph Fiennes & Geoffrey Rush. The costumes & sets are fantastic & visually stunning helping to set the scene. It begins during Queen Mary’s rule (She is brilliantly and unexpectantly played by Kathy Burke) and has a very charged atmosphere. Mary, as a devout catholic, is persecuted those of the protestant religion including her own sister, Elizabeth. She is great danger as Mary plots to get her executed for treason. However, she fails and shortly afterwards dies leaving Elizabeth at the Queen. Still enemies & rebellion lurk and Elizabeth takes drastic measures to secure her throne. This film focuses on Elizabeth’s early life as a young woman & the events which transformed her into the Virgin Queen. The acting is superb and the tension and suspense are as good as any... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good drama, Excellent costumes
Disadvantages: Story lacks fullness

...First, the good points. Cate Blanchett is absolutely convincing as Elizabeth and seeing her in full regalia is almost like seeing the real Elizabeth (as portrayed in paintings). Geoffrey Rush also churns out a stunning performance as Elizabeth's most loyal and effective advisor, Francis Walsingham. The costumes are very well designed and the overall feel was a rather convincing portrayal of England in that era. Now the bad points. I felt the story was rather unsatisfying and the show ended rather abruptly for me. I also felt that some of the characters could have been better developed and that some of the performances weren't as good as I'd expected, most notably Joseph Fiennes who did a far better job with Shakespeare in Love. As a DVD, the picture quality is excellent and the extras make this a DVD to own if you're a fan of period... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful