A Strong Woman Way Ahead Of Her Time

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 1999)

This story intrigues year after year. I have seen every version of this story that has ever been filmed yet this was the best. Joseph Finnes was more beautiful here even than in Shakespeare In Love.
Elizabeth herself was cast to perfection. The fabrics were sumptuous. The castles were mysterious and monumental. The scenes of sex were among the most lovely I have ever witnessed on screen.
Although there were some grizzled scenes of torture and beheading, the scenes of beauty and monarchy were far more lasting in my mind.
The story is confusing and the more one studies the actual history the more confusing the story becomes. The Earl Of Leicester seems to have been the perfect cad/charmer. Elizabeth had his number but still could not resist him. In the end she could listen only to herself and that seems to have been enough.