The Virgin Queen

Released Jul 22, 1955

1h 32m

History

Drama

List

Reviews

65%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) wants to lead a seafaring expedition to the New World. But, in order to finance the trip, Raleigh needs to win over the formidable Queen Elizabeth I (Bette Davis). The adventurer turns on the charm, seducing Elizabeth so that she'll support his mission. The deceptive games are further complicated when Raleigh falls for lady-in-waiting Beth (Joan Collins). The two must hide their love or face the wrath of the virgin queen.

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Dan Callahan

Slant Magazine

Henry Koster's direction is competent, for him, but Franz Waxman's music is no substitute for Erick Wolfgang Korngold's classic score for Elizabeth and Essex.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 31, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A star performance by the 47-year-old Bette Davis, dressed in a red wig, gets the acting honors, as she impressively revisits a role she did 16 years before.

Rated: B-

Nov 13, 2022

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Bette Davis (under a red fright-wig) portrays Elizabeth the First, with Richard Todd as the dashing Sir Walter Raleigh, in a corny but enjoyable story of Tudor England.

Dec 5, 2019

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Liam D

Just a standard cheesy old Hollywood costume drama with some good performances and decent production values but it’s kinda dull

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

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Steve D

Only Todd is given much to do.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/02/23

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Audience Member

a very good movie Bette Davis 2nd time as Queen Elizabeth 1 Richard Todd and Joan Collins excellent to i enjoyed this movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

a strong female lead role played aptly

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I think it's probably a great movie, it's Bette Davis after all. I just can't see anyone as Elizabeth since Judi Dench...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bette Davis chews up the scenery in this glamorous swashbuckler that deals with the relationship between Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh. It's interesting to see an early performance from Joan Collins, but for a far superior film see Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth the Golden Age.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Henry Koster

Director

Bette Davis

Queen Elizabeth I

Richard Todd

Sir Walter Raleigh

Joan Collins

Beth Throgmorton

Herbert Marshall

Lord Leicester

Jay Robinson

Chadwick

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Synopsis

English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) wants to lead a seafaring expedition to the New World. But, in order to finance the trip, Raleigh needs to win over the formidable Queen Elizabeth I (Bette Davis). The adventurer turns on the charm, seducing Elizabeth so that she'll support his mission. The deceptive games are further complicated when Raleigh falls for lady-in-waiting Beth (Joan Collins). The two must hide their love or face the wrath of the virgin queen.

Director: Henry Koster
Screenwriter: Harry Brown, Mindret Lord
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 22, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 32m

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