Elizabeth Movie Review 1998

And you thought modern day politics were dirty! Indian director Kapur takes a look at the turbulent life of Queen Elizabeth I of England (a brilliant Blanchett) from her uncertain days as a beseiged Protestant Princess to her ascension to the throne and the machinations surrounding her early reign. Elizabeth indeed proves to be her father's daughter as she must keep her head (literally) while dealing with religion, war, assassination, and the vexing question of a political marriage. Rush is notable as spidery spymaster Walsingham and Eccleston's hissably evil as the arrogant Catholic Duke of Norfolk. Wonderful shadowy cinematography by Adefarasin adds to the atmosphere but it does help to know some history in order to keep the plots and plotters straight.

Distribution

USA Home Entertainment, 1 W. Forest, Englewood, NJ 07631-4004, Phone: (201)871-1000, URL: http://www.polygram-us.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 124 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Royalty, British, Politics, Religion, London, Sex & Sexuality, Spies & Espionage, Assassination, Period Piece: 16th Century, Biopics: Royalty

Screenplay

Michael Hirst

Cast

Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Christopher Eccleston, Richard Attenborough, Fanny Ardant, Vincent Cassel, Daniel Craig, Kathy Burke, James Frain, Edward Hardwicke, Eric Cantona, John Gielgud, Emily Mortimer

Cinematography

Remi Adefarasin

Director

Shekhar Kapur

Music

David Hirschfelder

Producer

Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Alison Owen-Allen, Channel Four Film, Working Title Productions, Gramercy Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1998: Makeup; British Acad. 1998: Actress (Blanchett), Cinematog., Film, Score; Golden Globes 1999: Actress--Drama (Blanchett); Natl. Bd. of Review 1998: Director (Kapur); Broadcast Film Critics 1998: Actress (Blanchett).