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Starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, Kelly MacDonald,
Richard Attenborough, Sir John Gielgud. Directed by Shekhar Kapur.
Queen Mary I rules 16th century England as a beacon for Catholicism with a zealotry that requires all subjects to renounce the Protestant faith initiated by her father, Henry VIII. Her sister Elizabeth (Blanchett), daughter of the beheaded Anne Boleyn, is considered the illegitimate offspring of an adulterous affair. British noblemen, led by the Duke of Norfolk (Eccleston) are worried that when their ailing Queen dies, Elizabeth would assume the throne and return England to the Protestant theology, persecuting Catholics in a manner similar to Mary's brutal persecution of Protestants. Fortunately, Mary dies before issuing the order to kill Elizabeth, and Elizabeth assumes the throne. Unfortunately, Elizabeth inherits a state in economic disrepair, lacking in funds and armies, and threatened by France and Spain. She also inherits a royal council rife with Catholics wishing to take advantage of the turmoil by killing the Queen. Her most trusted advisor (Attenborough) feels the best way to secure her throne is to marry into foreign royal families - France or Spain. The trouble is she is in love with a young nobleman, Sir Robert, and attempts to resist the pressure to enter a loveless marriage for political purposes. But she also finds Sir Robert to be not exactly who he seems. She is aided by Walsingham (Rush), who sniffs out a plot by the Vatican to kill the Queen and replace her with Norfolk. With ruthlessness, and liberal amounts of torture and betrayal, Walsingham helps secure her hold on the throne. Dubbed the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth makes the case that she didn't start out that way, but grew into that role as a result of pressure to enter political marriages, and an unsatisfactory affair that turned her off romantic relationships with men. With a bit of feminist stubbornness, she strives to set her own course in ruling England, avoiding wars, and resisting marriage as a means of political alliance. Elizabeth also wonders why Catholics and Protestant religions are that important - they all worship the same God, so why should either one be an earth-shattering heresy. Elizabeth is portrayed as a decent and down-to-earth young woman who is forced to change into a colder and stronger woman because of the constant threats to her throne by those who wish to restore the primacy of Catholicism. Elizabeth is beautifully filmed, with generous helpings of imagery, lush surroundings and attractive costumes. It is slow moving at times, and written as a serious drama with minimal attempts at humour. It could have used more. Some of the best moments come when the nephew of the French King is foisted upon Elizabeth as a possible husband. He is hilarious, making outrageously overt suggestions to Elizabeth, and occasionally wearing dresses to relax. Often, the motivations of key characters is unrevealed. Walsingham is resolutely loyal to the Queen, often to his own peril, but there is no indication why he would risk all for someone with whom he has no personal connection. The mistress of the Duke of Norfolk sells him out to Walsingham with no hint as to how he convinced her to do it. The film is benefitted by solid performances. Blanchett is regal and convincing as the independent-minded Queen. Eccleston is excellent as the scheming Norfolk who masks his ambition for the throne as devotion to Catholicism. Oscar-winning Rush exudes strength as the Queen's loyal and wise advisor. They help make Elizabeth worth seeing, and an interesting examination of power and human nature.   
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