Cate Blanchett, Christopher Eccleston, Geoffrey Rush

London, 1554. England is rife with intrigue. Elizabeth, born of royal lineage (the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn), imprisoned by her half- sister Mary, when she is 16, is swept onto the ...( read more  read more... )throne and crowned Queen of England at 23. To survive, Elizabeth must suss out hidden agendas in her court, on the battlefield, in the church, and in those closest to her. The male-dominated ruling class would appear to have the advantage, but Elizabeth will deploy whatever means necessary to keep, or take, what is rightfully hers. This young woman of intelligence and vitality will toughen herself into the imposing icon of legend...Elizabeth I.

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86% liked it

54,695 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

46 critics

R, 2 hrs. 4 min.

Directed by: Shekhar Kapur

Release Date: November 6, 1998

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DVD Release Date: May 25, 1999

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Stats: 4,527 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,527)


  • July 24, 2009
    Surprisingly tense, considering we already know what's going to happen. The great cast keeps things moving and you on your toes.
  • October 1, 2008
    Definitely an interesting film but it doesn't correspond to very many history books so if your kid is doing British history in school don't bother getting a copy of this as a learning aide.
    The one thing that was very much missing was the pain she suffered as a child. You can't ...( read more)expect everyone to know all the facts of the British royalty and that one point would have helped to understand her bitterness and lonliness as Queen.
  • August 9, 2008
    The first in a great line of movies. Kate gives a wonderful performance, as the "bastard Queen" She takes you through the trials and tribulations of Elizabeth, a woman who would be the first child born out of Divorce, a cause for Englands seperations with the Catholic church. O...( read more)ne watches as an intelligent, yet uncertain, bashful Queen becomes a more confident, decisive ruler. Blanchette is wonderful, and gives a believable performance.
  • July 25, 2008
    A great performance by Cate Blanchett in a solid period piece, but unfortunately, Elizabethan history is kind of dull. Oh, wait, no, it's not, only the ascension story is: the rest of her reign was called the Golden Age. Hmmmm, they should make a movie about that part of her lif-...( read more)- oh, I see. Nevermind.
  • April 4, 2008
    A truly epic film about a truly epic woman, staring one of the gretest actresses of our time. Amazing set and costume design and a performance by Cate Blanchett that will blow you away.
  • November 20, 2009
    Very DRAMATIC biop of Queen Elizabeth I. I really doubt her life was quite this exciting.
  • October 15, 2009
    Very good and another stunning role from Cate Blanchett. I rekon she is my most favourite actress who I don't wanna bone. I also though Eccleston was excellent as her evil cousin. Just about every English star of this time was in this movie, even Lily Allen, which was weird.
  • October 11, 2009
    Even for a period piece, this was quite slow and lacking in plot...

    I'm hoping the sequels are much better, as the ending left me wanting more.
  • September 29, 2009
    Great movie! A must see! Blanchett is excellent!
  • September 27, 2009
    Thought it would be a pretty boring movie at first (and I tend to LIKE movies about history actually) but the acting is good and it keeps you watching. And great job with the wardrobe! Overall, I would recommend watching it only if you are into history movies.

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  • terris85017
    October 19, 2008
    (1998) Wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes (I did not realize it was him who played her lover Robert until I saw the credits) I felt her pain...joys fears & disbelief at the repeated amazing betrayals she suffered.
  • LadyVanishment
    July 28, 2007
    I love this film.. its a treasure ..
  • insanenutball
    April 20, 2007
    Cate shouldve had the oscar that year...not gwenyth 'i cant act' paltrow...so cant wait for the sequel to this in October...its in my all time fave movies!!!
  • dcs1978
    December 11, 2006
    If any of you can find clips from the movei please let me know. I have looked up and down for Vincent Cassel's scene with the dress, Blanchet's quote after and the assassination scene in Italy (?) with Rush's character and the boy "apprentice". No luck! :(

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Elizabeth Trivia


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