Kirpianuscus and not surprising. because Helen Mirren has the science and art and force to be inn and out of her characters in a magnificent manner. because nothing could change the powerful impression about her performance. a performance who, in subtle way, transforms the character in a masterpiece. Elizabeth I is a good example. first because, after books and movies, theories and speculations, she is a profound different Queen. rigid and vulnerable, old and energetic, seductive and cruel. the solitude of the Queen becomes not only realistic but an ice show itself. because its roots and ways and maps are so clear. because the story has a special dose of realism. because she is Elizabeth and any comparison with other interpreter becomes strange.

asgrrr Fairly good overall, but inferior to other recent dramas of the Tudor era such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth (1998), Gunpowder Treason and Plot in that there is recourse to melodrama - a hint of a cult of personality that is absent from e.g. the 1998 production. Unfortunately this tinge of melodrama brings an overall feel of shallowness to the production which might otherwise not be there. At the same time one cannot fail to note that characters other than Elizabeth's are underdeveloped compared to the 1998 film, especially Walshingham's, which appears in both works. Well worth a watch but a little disappointing. Blanchett's Elizabeth is the recommended choice over Mirren's.

ma-cortes The aging Queen Virgin-Helen Mirren is magnificent in the title role of this television drama . She's constantly besieged by court intrigue and political machinations . Elizabeth had learnt her political lessons in the years of intrigue before she became Queen , she was a brilliant stateswoman, managing a succession of parliaments so that she was loved as well as obeyed . She 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 and Robert Deveraux , Earl of Essex, 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 . Meanwhile , she's dealing with Protestant religion , war with Spain ruled by Philip II and the vexing question of a political marriage to French prince . 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 movie depicts the battle between the British ships led by Howard of Effingham and the Spanish Armada commanded by Duke of Medina Sidonia , it lasted ten days , during July 1588 . The film also talks about Mary Queen of Scots , well played by Barbara Flynn . She was imprisoned by Elizabeth , who rightly feared Catholic plots to place Mary on the throne . Mary was guilty of plots complicity and Elizabeth prepared her death warrant . However the Mary's affection for her lover , Lord Darnley , revived enough for them to produce a heir to the throne , the future James VI of Scotland and James I of England . Helen Mirren is awesome as Elizabeth I ; furthermore , Jeremy Irons is notable as Earl of Leicester and Hugh Dancy is equally outstanding as arrogant and ambitious count of Essex . Special mention for actors form the reign council members , as Patrick Malahide , Toby Jones and Ian McDiarmid . Wonderful colorful cinematography adds to the atmosphere but it does help to know some history in order to keep the interesting plot . Director Tom Hooper (John Adams) takes a brilliant look at the turbulent life of famous Queen of England from her troublesome days and machinations surrounding her reign . Other renditions about this known Queen are the followings : ¨Elizabeth¨ (1998) with Cate Blanchet , Joseph Fiennes , 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.

kayaker36 Perhps it is my male chauvinism, but the charm of Helen Mirren always has been lost on me. People say she is a great actress. Certainly she had a great role to play in this HBO miniseries filmed in Lithuania (?). I found her spinsterish and plain ugly. The scenes of her, wrinkled and painted like a doll, kissing Jeremy Irons and Hugh Dancy were nauseating, as remarked by another reviewer.Jeremy Irons, an actor whose work I have always appreciated, lacked appeal here. This was partially the fault of some lame scriptwriting as to the role of Sir Robert Dudley. Dudley died of cancer in 1588 just after the defeat of the Armada. Trouble is, from the very start of the film Jeremy Irons looked exhausted and emaciated. He and Helen Mirren played their scenes like a couple of elderly gay men who have been together for years and years--no sense that this was a man and woman who responded physically to one another at any time. To see how this role should be played, with swagger and style, check out Tom Hardy as the Earl of Leicester in the Grenada TV production of "The Virgin Queen". In fact, see that movie over this for a slew of reasons.One bright spot was Robert Devereaux as played by young Hugh Dancy. He brought the physical presence, the youthful fire, that the historical Earl of Essex was said to have shown during his short life.