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Elizabeth

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Elizabeth

R

Released Nov 6, 1998

2h 1m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

86%

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50,000+ Ratings

Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) becomes queen of a divided and dangerous England in 1558. She is roundly perceived as weak by threats from within and abroad, and she is strongly advised to marry by counsel William Cecil (Richard Attenborough). But she will be married only to her country. Intelligent and cautious, she must choose where to place her trust: with her shrewd secretary Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), a master of espionage, or her secret lover, Sir Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).

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Critics Consensus

No mere historical drama, Elizabeth is a rich, suspenseful journey into the heart of British Royal politics, and features a typically outstanding performance from Cate Blanchett.

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Without [Blanchett], Kapur's extravagant history lesson (written by Michael Hirst) blurs into dark doings among men in tights.

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

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David Rooney

Variety

"Elizabeth" is superior historical soap opera that shrewdly sidesteps all the cliches of British costume drama with its bold, often modern approach.

Jul 31, 2008

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Time Out

Kapur cunningly confuses gender roles, equates sex with death, and rattles through dark, stony passions with some considerable panache.

Jan 26, 2006

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Kapur makes wonderful use of Blanchett’s abilities

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sort of like Dallas with more extravagant costumes (sex and power plays lurk around every corner).

Rated: 3/4

Sep 16, 2023

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

The technical aspects are terrific, from the beautiful score, great acting and wonderful sets, all the way down to the last stitch of thread on the costumes.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 20, 2022

Full Review

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Austin S

I definitely enjoy learning more about the British monarchy

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

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Ari V

Liked it quite a bit as a teen and perhaps in my 20s, but not so much in my 40s. The self-adulation and evangelism, though somewhat counterbalanced, are just too palpable. 2.25/5

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

Full Review

rosanne m

A new fresh show. I'm in!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Alec B

Not that I am terribly invested but this is clearly anti-Catholic propaganda.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Dan S

Wonderful!! They could not make something like this today. They would update it creating or changing the characters! Revisionist history. I loved this film!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

Full Review

Ruth H

Wouldn't blame Elizabeth if she came back and chopped off some heads but I doubt that she would even recognize herself in this wildly inaccurate version of events.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

Full Review

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Shekhar Kapur

Director

Cate Blanchett

Elizabeth I

Geoffrey Rush

Sir Francis Walsingham

Christopher Eccleston

Duke of Norfolk

Joseph Fiennes

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

Richard Attenborough

Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley

Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Small Question of Religion

2:12

Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Burning of Master Nicholas Ridley

1:56

Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Am No Man's Elizabeth

2:12

Elizabeth: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt

2:01

Elizabeth: Official Clip - To Be Loved By the Queen

2:12

Elizabeth: Official Clip - Dancing a Volta

1:40

Elizabeth: Official Clip - Elizabeth Is Crowned

2:12

Elizabeth: Official Clip - Duc d'Anjou in a Dress

2:12

Elizabeth: Official Clip - Queen Mary

2:14

Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Have Become a Virgin

2:10

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Synopsis

Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) becomes queen of a divided and dangerous England in 1558. She is roundly perceived as weak by threats from within and abroad, and she is strongly advised to marry by counsel William Cecil (Richard Attenborough). But she will be married only to her country. Intelligent and cautious, she must choose where to place her trust: with her shrewd secretary Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), a master of espionage, or her secret lover, Sir Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).

Director: Shekhar Kapur
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Alison Owen
Screenwriter: Michael Hirst
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Polygram
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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