The early years of Queen Elizabeth I

Rating: 8/10 (30 September 2016)

This film tells the story of Queen Elizabeth I's ascension to the throne and the beginning of her reign as she learns what it means to be queen as rivals manoeuvre around her. As the film starts Elizabeth's older sister, the Catholic Mary I, is on the throne and her ministers are counselling her to execute the Protestant Elizabeth to prevent her from becoming queen and England becoming protestant again. Mary dies before producing an heir and Elizabeth becomes Queen. Once on the throne she learns the England is in a very weak; the army is run down, the treasury is empty and French troops are garrisoned in Scotland. It is suggested that she forms an alliance with either France or Spain by marrying either the Spanish king or a French duke; neither option appeals to her as she is clearly keen on Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. It isn't long before her various enemies, backed by the Vatican, are moving against her; if she is to survive she will have to strike back.
Cate Blanchett carries the film as the young Elizabeth making us believe in this woman leading in a very male world. She is ably supported by the likes of Christopher Eccleston, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough and even French footballer Eric Cantona! Even minor roles are filled by fairly familiar faces. All the court intrigue and plotting is like something out of 'Game of Thrones' but with somewhat less sex and violence at least on screen. Even though we know Elizabeth will survive there are plenty of tense moments and other characters are far from safe. It isn't all plotting though; there are plenty of funny moments such as when Elizabeth discovers one of her suitors wearing a dress! Director Shekhar Kapur has given the film a great look with lots of impressive colours, especially in the many court scenes. Overall I'd highly recommend this film; you don't have to be interested in the history of the time to enjoy this.