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Sick Product of a Sick System

Load of rubbish!!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Another version of the story of Elizabeth I may have been redundant, but Helen Mirren is really exceptional as the ageing queen trapped by her own stature in life, unable to love or be loved as anyone else unshackled by monarchy could be.Slightly different in story to other versions, this has Leicester throughout the first episode (which also introduces Essex), and then the second episode concentrates on the ruthless ambition of the Earl of Essex, the late favourite of Elizabeth's in old age.Beautifully shot and well-scripted, and with good supporting performances from the likes of Patrick Malahide and Toby Jones, this Elizabeth isn't a dark political thriller like Cate Blanchett's first appearance in the role, or detached from emotion like Glenda Jackson's classic TV performance. Mirren's Elizabeth is almost woman first and queen second.

The aging Queen Virgin-Helen Mirren is magnificent in the title role of this television drama . She's constantly besieged by court intrigue and political machinations . Elizabeth had learnt her political lessons in the years of intrigue before she became Queen , she was a brilliant stateswoman, managing a succession of parliaments so that she was loved as well as obeyed . She managed to restore England to power and glory amidst public and private confusion . This excellent historic drama recreates the wars ,loves , turmoil and struggle for power by Robert Dudley , Earl of Leicester and Robert Deveraux , Earl of Essex, whom the Queen Elizabeth I both loved and feared , and whose downfall she ultimately invoked . Elizabeth indeed proved to be her father's daughter as she must keep her head , her mother was Anne Boleyn , executed for alleged adultery . Meanwhile , she's dealing with Protestant religion , war with Spain ruled by Philip II and the vexing question of a political marriage to French prince . Elizabeth chose her advisers with consummate care , and she was well served by them . The first and best was William Cecil , 1st Baron Burghley , he stayed in office for forty years . The movie depicts the battle between the British ships led by Howard of Effingham and the Spanish Armada commanded by Duke of Medina Sidonia , it lasted ten days , during July 1588 . The film also talks about Mary Queen of Scots , well played by Barbara Flynn . She was imprisoned by Elizabeth , who rightly feared Catholic plots to place Mary on the throne . Mary was guilty of plots complicity and Elizabeth prepared her death warrant . However the Mary's affection for her lover , Lord Darnley , revived enough for them to produce a heir to the throne , the future James VI of Scotland and James I of England . Helen Mirren is awesome as Elizabeth I ; furthermore , Jeremy Irons is notable as Earl of Leicester and Hugh Dancy is equally outstanding as arrogant and ambitious count of Essex . Special mention for actors form the reign council members , as Patrick Malahide , Toby Jones and Ian McDiarmid . Wonderful colorful cinematography adds to the atmosphere but it does help to know some history in order to keep the interesting plot . Director Tom Hooper (John Adams) takes a brilliant look at the turbulent life of famous Queen of England from her troublesome days and machinations surrounding her reign . Other renditions about this known Queen are the followings : ¨Elizabeth¨ (1998) with Cate Blanchet , Joseph Fiennes , directed by Shekar Kapur ; ¨Elizabeth R¨ directed by Herbert Wise (72 ,TV) with Bette Davis; ¨Elizabeth the Queen¨ (68,TV) with Judith Anderson and Charlton Heston ; and classic version, ¨The Queen Virgin¨ by George Sidney with Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger and ¨The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex¨ by Michael Curtiz with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn , among others.

Being an aspiring historian i love nothing more then to sit and enjoy a historical drama / film. I hold a huge interest in Elizabethan England (Or English history in general really)and the Kings and Queens of the past, most especially one of our best loved monarchs -Queen Elizabeth 1. However, although being only 16, i am not so naive as to believe that the content of this film was entirely factual,however, i Thoroughly enjoyed it - in fact LOVED it! and am currently trying to purchase it on DVD. And may i just add that Hugh Dancy is a suburb actor and extremely dishy!! :P Having seen the adaptation with Cate Blanchett in, but did not feel as connected to character as with Helen's portrayal. I felt Helen Mirren brought more emotion to the character and gave an added human touch to the Queen. I am a big fan of Jeremy Irons and think he portrayed the Earl of Leciester with his usual brilliance . All in all, i have not in the 16 years of my life, seen a Drama / film that i have fallen in love with so greatly, i can not say how worth a watch it is - watch it and see. I highly recommend this film - no questions!

This actor never ceases to amaze me. Having seen her riveting performance in "The Queen" for which she was justly and rightly awarded The Oscar, I could hardly wait to get my eyes on this and I was not disappointed.The story has been retold over and over, the reign of the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. Good Queen Bess. This production brings a freshness and humanity to this long(4 hour) tale, but every minute counts and I, for one, sighed when it was over, I wanted more.The costumes are incredible, the historical detail superb and Helen brings a humanity to the part that at times is heartbreaking. One understands the turmoil inside, she has not managed to secure a suitable husband or bear a child to inherit the throne. The script brings this humanity to the surface but also the strength of the monarch beneath. A monarch who won every battle, every contest. I could only envision Helen doing the script justice.Jeremy Irons as the Earl of Leichester plays well against her superb talent, bringing the devotion of years of service and love of her to the surface. A love that can never be legalized as he is considered unsuitable for her hand in marriage. The sensuous nature of this love is palpable as he and Mirren interact and weave their intimacies (and none of her relationships were ever consummated) into an intensity that is enthralling.The supporting cast are brilliant, hard to single any one out but it includes Patrick Malahide as Sir Frances Walsingham, Toby Jones (one of my personal favourites - he nails his roles) as Robert Cecil, who works his way to the forefront of the Queen's life even though she refers to him scathingly as "Pygmy", and Ian McDiarmid as William Cecil, a.k.a. Lord Burghley, father of Robert.The delicious Hugh Dancy plays Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. Two sided, self-serving and ingratiating. But lovely. Elizabeth falls hard and sometimes publicly. She is no fool though, with any one of her courtiers. "Off with their heads" is a frequent occurrence and the result is quite graphic and not for young eyes, or older ones, I had to avert my head several times and wondered how on earth the graphic disemboweling, beheading and quartering was done. The beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, is particularly gruesome from what I saw through my fingers.Not to be missed for fans of historical, epic costume dramas. 9 out of 10. Bravo to all.