Elizabeth (Wide Screen) > Reviews > A Force To Be Reckoned With

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Very entertaining view of a period of history
Disadvantages:	.  .  . although its not very factual

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

'El1zabeth' is a film that overcomes many boundaries. It provides an imaginative, 'fly on the wall' scenario of what it must have been like to have been the young woman who was to become Queen of England. Its voyeuristic tendencies is used to catapuIt the humane nature of the Queen and indeed the Royal family. By exploring issues issues that Queen Elizabeth faced during her life.

The film starts by demonstrating that there is religious and political turmoil between the Catholics and the Protestants in England. Such a powerful turmoil, that it dominants almost every decision that people make. The film illustrates this throughout the film but it is most obvious when it shows the division of the royal family, when Queen Mary asks Elizabeth (her successor) to ensure that the true faith, Catholicism, remains the dominant religion in England. In a tactical move, Elizabeth says, she will follow as her conscience guides her.

In addition to the political religious turmoil, highlighted is the role of women in society as second class citizens. This is ironic as the monarch is the most powerful being in the country. The division between womens roles is particularly highlighted when her advising counsil keep on pressurising her to marry inorder to produce a heir to secure the throne. Inorder to do this, she is advised to marry either the royal princes or Kings of Spain or France. There is also the significant fact that her bedroom chambers are checked to see if she as lost her virginity, and is told that her love life is not her own but that of the country. Her love affair suffers as a result, especially when she realises her lover is already married.

This film highlihts the pressures that the royals can face at the most precarious of times. Apart from issues with religion and her own sex life, Elizabeth is pressured into waging war against Mary, Queen of Scots. She also faces pressure from the Vatican in Rome, various assination attempts and all because she isnt Catholic.

Due to al of these pressures of coups, rebellions and failed love, Elizabeth decides to command England on her own. She renounces man, and instead choses to live a life of solitude.

El1zabeth was the winner of 5 Bafta's. Starring some of the best
actors and actresses, this film is amazing. Starring; Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth and Kathy Burke as Queen Mary (Elizabeth's sister), Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes and Richard Attenborough.

The synopsis at the back of the film reads;

"England, 1554. Under the rule of Queen Mary I, a zealous Catholic, England has been reduced to a country racked by financial and religious instability.

Now close to death, Mary (Kathy Burke) steps up her policy of protestant repression. Even Princess Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett), her younger sister and heir apparent is in grave danger, but Mary's last ditch attempt to execute her for treason fails.

Within days, Mary is dead and Elizabeth is crowned Queen of England, but with enemies and rebellion continuing in her own council she is advised to hit back. she retaliates in a counter-coup of intense ferocity, wiping out all opposition to her leadership. Her throne is finally secure.

When Elizabeth next appears in public, she has transformed herself into the legedary Virgin Queen, formidable, untouchable and unbeatable..."

This film although not an extensive biopic on the historical aspects of Queen Elizabeth's reign, it is a film that is emotive in its content and depiction of the royal figure. I would recommend this film.

Thanks for reading.