European History 101 was never so sexy!

Rating: Null/10 (9 May 2002)

Not being an Elizabethan scholar, I cannot particularly vouch for the historic accuracy of Shekhar Kapur's `Elizabeth.' After seeing his rendering of the subject, though, I am half tempted to change fields of emphasis as I continue pursuing my MA in history!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Cate Blanchett brings the legendary 16th century monarch to life. Only in the closing scene do we see the stoic, white-faced `virgin queen' of the history books. Blanchett takes Elizabeth from a relatively carefree teenage princess on a country estate, to the hardened sovereign, firmly in control of her country and her own fate. In between she displays a wide range of skills, portraying Elizabeth's coming of age in this period of treachery, tricky alliances and fear.
While Kapur's Elizabeth later shows her legendary mettle, as well as the hardness of heart to lead a nation in such a time period, she is a real woman. Blanchett's disarming, yet provocative laugh, her brilliant and uncut red hair and her burning gaze bridge the cap between trepid paintings of the monarch and the reputation she had early in her reign as a beauty. Blanchett indeed brings sex appeal, as well as humanity to the role and one cannot help pulling for the naïve, attractive teen to survive among the many perils waiting to ensnarl her.
Always persuasive and quick on her feet - and in this case on her knees - Elizabeth is able to convince her half-sister, Queen Mary I (Kathy Burke) to spare her, when she is accused of heresy and treason. She also has a queenly dignity and commanding presence - even before assuming the throne, as when walking through the angry crowd of Catholic `wolves,' as Mary calls them. Her successful appearance before the English bishops early in her reign is wonderfully captured, as her dignity, poise, sense of humor and determination (along with half a dozen of the most ardent bishops being locked in a dungeon during the meeting, unknown to the queen) wins the day.
Once she ascends to the throne, Elizabeth faces a whole new set of problems. Which advisors should she trust and what shall she do about her sizzling love affair with Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes)? On one hand, venerable Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) offers cautious advise, but is steadfastly loyal. The Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston) is another matter. The devious duke is courting both the Spanish and the French and covets the throne himself. Meanwhile, Sir Francis Walsingham returns from exile to essentially act as the queen's body guard. In the end, he becomes her most trusted advisor.
Again, it is harder to judge the film, not having the background knowledge I would have on many historical subjects. It was certainly a time of palace intrigue, though, and it is doubtful that Kapur exaggerates the shadowy goings-on.
The complicated plot line is also frustrating for someone not well-versed in Elizabethan lore - as is keeping some of the characters separate. It was my second viewing before I could fully discern between Walsingham and Norfolk. On the first viewing I thought it was the devious Norfolk who visited Mary of Guise (a.k.a. Mary, Queen of Scotts) - played most enticingly by Fanny Ardant. Instead it was Walsingham, apparently only pretending to be disloyal to Elizabeth, in order to poison Mary.
Despite some confusion for the uninformed (like me), it was a most enjoyable movie. The spectacle of the English monarchy, the fear and anger of the period, the brutality and severity of both civil and religious leaders of the period, and the lushness of the English and Scottish countryside are all captured well by Kapur and cinematographer Remi Adefarasin. The film is rife with romance, passion, action and intrigue. The period dances and entertainment are also most interesting. This film has been well-honored and deservedly so. Its success is not surprising. It captures a number of PC 21st century maxims, as Elizabeth spurns state control by religious leaders, demands her right to rule as an unmarried female, and stubbornly clings to her love - until she discovers her own reason to turn loose.
The cast is marvelous from the enticing Blancett and Ardant, to Eccleston and Fiennes (probably equally enticing to female viewers), to boorish Duc d'Anjou (Vincent Cassel) who unsuccessfully tries to woo the queen. The costumes, settings and backdrops are also first-rate. This is a fine historical motion picture and a very entertaining one. I need to do some research on the period before I could call it my favorite historic drama ever. Assuming its facts stand up to scrutiny, though, Elizabeth is certainly a strong candidate for this title. It is a first rate film.