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Elizabeth

R Released Nov 6, 1998 2h 1m History Drama List
84% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 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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Elizabeth

Elizabeth

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Time Out Kapur cunningly confuses gender roles, equates sex with death, and rattles through dark, stony passions with some considerable panache. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Austin S I definitely enjoy learning more about the British monarchy Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Elizabeth

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Cast & Crew

Elizabeth

Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Small Question of Religion Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Small Question of Religion 2:12 Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Burning of Master Nicholas Ridley Elizabeth: Official Clip - The Burning of Master Nicholas Ridley 1:56 Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Am No Man's Elizabeth Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Am No Man's Elizabeth 2:12 Elizabeth: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt Elizabeth: Official Clip - Assassination Attempt 2:01 Elizabeth: Official Clip - To Be Loved By the Queen Elizabeth: Official Clip - To Be Loved By the Queen 2:12 Elizabeth: Official Clip - Dancing a Volta Elizabeth: Official Clip - Dancing a Volta 1:40 Elizabeth: Official Clip - Elizabeth Is Crowned Elizabeth: Official Clip - Elizabeth Is Crowned 2:12 Elizabeth: Official Clip - Duc d'Anjou in a Dress Elizabeth: Official Clip - Duc d'Anjou in a Dress 2:12 Elizabeth: Official Clip - Queen Mary Elizabeth: Official Clip - Queen Mary 2:14 Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Have Become a Virgin Elizabeth: Official Clip - I Have Become a Virgin 2:10 View more videos
Dangerous Beauty 70% 85% Dangerous Beauty Queen Margot 82% 88% Queen Margot Onegin 48% 72% Onegin Beloved 72% 70% Beloved Stage Beauty 64% 78% Stage Beauty Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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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