This interesting movie describes the turbulent ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First,

Rating: 7/10 (25 July 2013)

Good costumer drama that takes a brilliant look at the agitated life of famous Queen of England . This is a sweeping chronicle of 16th-century English Queen from his beginning until splendor years . She was declared illegitimate aged 3 and tried for treason aged 21 ; however being crowned Queen aged 25 . At the beginning , Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) was imprisoned by Bloody Mary (Kathy Burke) , who rightly feared Protestant plots to place Elizabeth on the throne . She's the Protestant Elizabeth , she was a brilliant stateswoman who managed to restore England to power and glory amidst public and private confusion . This excellent historic drama recreates the wars , loves , turmoil and struggle for power by Robert Dudley , Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes) whom the Queen Elizabeth I both loved and feared , and whose downfall she ultimately invoked . Elizabeth indeed proved to be her father's daughter as she must keep her head, her mother was Anne Boleyn , executed for alleged adultery . To ensure her security on the kingdom , Elizabeth has to show some leadership, which includes, according to some of her many adviser (Richard Attenborough , Edward Hardwicke , Christopher Eccleston , Geoffrey Rush) . Meanwhile, she's dealing with Protestant religion, intrigues with Spain and France and the vexing question of a political marriage to French prince (Vincent Cassel) . Elizabeth chose her advisers with consummate care, and she was well served by them . The first and best was William Cecil,1st Baron Burghley , he stayed in office for forty years. The heathen Protestant Elizabeth dreads the prospect of the Catholic Church followers and Pope (John Gielgud) about her ascending the English throne , leading to intrigue and divisiveness within the court . A film of the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.
This is a correct portrayal about political intrigue , lovers and war during the Elizabeth I kingdom . As are splendidly recreated intrigues , treason , turmoil and power fight of its time , including her troublesome days and machinations surrounding . It's magnificently captured by marvelous sets , splendid production design and glamorous gowns . This elaborate , colorful costumer drama packs outstanding performances from Cate Blanchet as an impulsive queen , Joseph Fiennes as a dashing and arrogant Earl , besides a top-notch support cast giving strong acting , such as the charismatic Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham , Richard Attenborough as Sir William Cecil , Christopher Eccleston as Duke of Norfolk , Jamie Foreman as Earl of Sussex , Fanny Ardant as Mary of Guise , Vincent Cassel as Duc d'Anjou , Kelly MacDonald , James Frain , Emily Mortimer , Amanda Ryan , among them . The fine cast does quite well in historic setting . This interesting historical drama contains a wonderful cinematography that adds color to the atmosphere by Remi Adefarasin who also photographed the second part titled ¨Elizabeth: The Golden Age¨ . Evocative and imaginative musical score fitting to the past time by David Hirschfelder . The motion picture was rightly written by by Michael Hirst (The Tudor) and finely directed by Shakar Kapur , an Indian director , costumer expert (Elizabeth I and II , Bandit Queen , Four feathers).
Other renditions about this known Queen are the following : ¨Elizabeth : The golden age¨ with Cate Blanchett , Jordi Molla , Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush directed by Shekar Kapur ; ¨Elizabeth R¨ directed by Herbert Wise (72, TV) with Bette Davis ; ¨Elizabeth the Queen¨ (68, TV) with Judith Anderson and Charlton Heston ; and classic version , ¨The Queen Virgin¨ by George Sidney with Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger and ¨The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex¨ by Michael Curtiz with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn , among others