A solid portrayal of the period of her accession.

Rating: 6/10 (26 October 1998)

This film concentrates on her life between the ages of 21 and 25, with commendable attention to the detail of the period. The most significant insight provided is the way in which the maintenance and consolidation of power necessitates the application of political ruthlessness. In a fine performance, Cate Blanchett conveys this poignantly, discarding compassion for the requirements of the survival of herself and the stability of her realm.