The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(2,737 ratings)

It is no secret that Bette Davis and Errol Flynn were at each other's throats throughout the filming of The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Boiled down to essentials: Davis felt that Flynn was unprofessional, while Flynn thought that Davis took herself too damned seriously. Besides, Davis had… More It is no secret that Bette Davis and Errol Flynn were at each other's throats throughout the filming of The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Boiled down to essentials: Davis felt that Flynn was unprofessional, while Flynn thought that Davis took herself too damned seriously. Besides, Davis had wanted Laurence Olivier to play the Earl of Essex opposite her Queen Elizabeth I. She was forced to compromise on this point, but refused to allow Flynn proxy top billing via his suggestion that the film be retitled The Knight and the Lady. The finished product, a lavish Technicolor costumer allowing full scope to Davis' histrionics and Flynn's derring-do, betrays little of the backstage hostilities (though Flynn does seem uncomfortably hammy in his scenes with Davis). Adapted by Norman Reilly Raine and Aeneas McKenzie from Maxwell Anderson's blank-verse play Elizabeth the Queen (which served as the film's reissue title), the story concerns the tempestuous relationship between the middle-aged Elizabeth and the ambitious Essex. At one point, the Queen intends to marry Essex and relinquish her throne, until she realizes that his plans for advancement would ultimately prove disastrous for England. When afforded the opportunity to execute Essex for treason, she reluctantly signs his death warrant. Minutes before his final walk to the chopping block, Elizabeth begs Essex to ask for a pardon. But Essex, fully aware that his warlike policies will only resurface if he is permitted to live, refuses to accept the Queen's mercy, and goes off to meet his doom. Olivia de Havilland is wasted in the role of a lady-in-waiting who carries a torch for Essex. If the scenes of Essex' triumphant return to London after winning the battle of Cadiz seem familiar, it is because they were reused as stock footage in Warner Bros.' The Adventures of Don Juan (1949) and The Story of Mankind (1957). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Written By: Norman Reilly Raine, Aeneas MacKenzie
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1939 Wide
On DVD: Apr 19, 2005

Critic Reviews

Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
The DVD provides many pleasureable moments...
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
It's a war of minds and wills, but where it stands is at a point where Michael Curtiz still could direct ably, but the material wouldn't give way toward something better.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
This dismal bore is for Bette Davis completists only.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
Davis seizes every possible opportunity to make herself into a mad spectacle.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
This strange film--a romantic fable, wholly fictitious yet rooted in historically accurate minutiae--is a pleasure
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Lavish, star-studded, but ultimately rather dull

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

A film that basically relies on exchanges of fine dialogue. The war scenes are now naturally dated and the final act is very weak, with the main characters saying one thing only to contradict themselves and keep the plot moving. Even so, it is Davis who raises this film from ordinary… More
A film that basically relies on exchanges of fine dialogue. The war scenes are now naturally dated and the final act is very weak, with the main characters saying one thing only to contradict themselves and keep the plot moving. Even so, it is Davis who raises this film from ordinary to enjoyable.
AJ V

Another average historical drama with an all star cast. Worth watching, but not always very interesting.
Phil H

Hadn't seen this before and I was really surprised and pleased at the outcome, being a story based on romance and much talking I was fearful that I would be bored but this is very much in the same vein as 'Robin Hood' with its Technicolour vibrancy, lavish costumes and… More
Hadn't seen this before and I was really surprised and pleased at the outcome, being a story based on romance and much talking I was fearful that I would be bored but this is very much in the same vein as 'Robin Hood' with its Technicolour vibrancy, lavish costumes and sets. When I say lavish I mean beautiful and bold right down to the last detail, its almost exquisite in some scenes, every set is stunning and looks pretty faithful to what it may have been like. The costumes too are tremendous, everyman and woman is dressed in amazing period styles that make you wanna wear them haha Much of the drama unfolds on obvious sets, beautiful as they are they still look like sets hehe same with some location work....obviously Warner backlots with the odd walkabout in California state somewhere haha but you can forgive. As for acting its the usual stuff from Errol, kinda wooden and kinda basic but always looks good while doing it, though here he is outdone clearly by Davis as Elizabeth, powerful, forceful and most of all believeable as the tough female Queen, she was even very 'method' in this role too, shaving her hairline and eyebrows for the true Elizabethan look. Flynn and Davis did not get on well as I have read and the scene were Davis slaps Flynn across the face in the courtroom was actually a genuine slap and Flynn's reaction is quite real haha he was pissed bigtime haha classic moment. Davis storms away with this film though, Flynn is a mere speck to her thundering performance. Along the way we have Alan Hale again, this time against Flynn in Ireland, check the beautiful swamp sets for the battles in Ireland, and of course the lovely Olivia De Havilland as a lady in waiting Penelope Gray. Lastly enter the great Vincent Price as Sir Walter Raleigh, looking the part in his beautiful outfits and adding a unique feel to the part with his classic vocal tones. Its all Curtiz genius again as he produces yet another stunning epic technicolour masterpiece, nowhere near as much action as 'Robin Hood' but it actually looks MORE lavish than Hood if that's possible. Plenty of verbal but its not boring in any way, the dream like colours and look make you keep watching and like all Flynn films its not historically accurate so there is alittle fun to be had, yet its clearly one of his more sensible films with little or no swashbuckling and shooting.
moon r

ms."i'm-a-big-hotsie-totsie-hollywood-actress" (and she was!) davis scorned poor swashbucklilng senor mister flynn as he was only a lowly boy adventurer while, after all, she was an world artiste but...(can she hear me? lemme know if she's comin', ok?) she… More
ms."i'm-a-big-hotsie-totsie-hollywood-actress" (and she was!) davis scorned poor swashbucklilng senor mister flynn as he was only a lowly boy adventurer while, after all, she was an world artiste but...(can she hear me? lemme know if she's comin', ok?) she was wrong. he suits his part as a travelling adventurer in service to the crown to a "T" and their chemistries give some actual human feeling to the plots and conspiracies integral to world beating, world-empire making afoot in the 15th century. and there's love too! awwww.