Hot 888 Mama . . . when this documentary was released in 1955. As the filming began, The Pill had not yet been invented, so it was ASSUMED that Liz was THE VIRGIN QUEEN. (Current polls prove that most Britishers wish that she'd STAYED that way, now that they've gotten a load of Prince Charles.) This flick proves that Chuck is just a chip off the Old Block in ditching HIS young Diana for a geriatric Camille. His Mom Liz is shown here dumping a lad by the name of Walt before hooking up (off-screen) with her near-Centenarian of Today, Phillip. Though the Teutonic Tudors renamed themselves after a Canadian Village (Windsor) as a Public Relations Stunt during World War Two, their Prussian Roots are still highly visible at the beginning of Liz's seemingly Endless Reign as depicted here in THE VIRGIN QUEEN's costumes. Just as this Corgi Whisperer would later drive her own sister to an Early Grave by nixing Margaret's marriage, a few years prior to THAT fiasco Liz tries to have her Cake and Eat It Too here by vetoing Walt's shot-gun wedding to his knocked-up Sweetie, Beth. (It's truly amazing how much Royal Trauma the invention of The Pill has alleviated.)

tamarenne I cannot help but be disappointed by the reviews this movie has thusfar received in IMDb, but not surprised. With respect to Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, neither of those ladies can hold a patch on the brilliant Bette Davis, perhaps the greatest actress ever, as the immortal Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps the greatest monarch that England ever knew. Whether or not the movie is weak history, the movie shines as a vehicle for La Davis. Richard Todd gives a decent performance, although I submit he has neither the acting chops nor the charisma of Errol Flynn. But he serves well in the role. The costumes, cinematography and screenplay are bright and arresting. And like it or not, Bette Davis' brilliant, mannered, and astoundingly powerful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I has informed every ensuing depiction of the Virgin Queen

oscar-35 *Spoiler/plot- 1955, Its the story of the aging queen's attraction to handsome Walter Raleigh and her bitter clash with a scheming younger lady-in-waiting rival.*Special Stars- Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Robert Douglas, Jay Robinson *Theme- An unlovable Tudor Queen can easily evoke love of England by her subjects.*Trivia/location/goofs- The 'raining coach' scenes were filmed in Corriganville Movie Ranch, Simi Valley. This is Bette Davis second historic portrayal of Queen Elizabeth the First, this time for 20th Century Fox Studios. Look for early roles for a pair of young British actors; Joan Collins and Richard Todd. Also look for famous film 'baddies' in Elizabethan tights; Robert Douglas and Jay Robinson. The history of the Raleigh affair history is somewhat suspect in this film's plot.*Emotion- An enjoyable rich costume drama about Elizabethan England and the court intrigues. Fun extravagant costumes, sets and locations in full Technicolor make it a delight to view this film of the 50's. It's easy to see how Ms. Davis used her talent to build this memorable queenly role. Renfaire actors will get a lot out of this movie and plot.

Greg Couture This one should have been a lot better, considering the pedigree of its cast and the professionals behind the camera, including the always reliable Franz Waxman, contributing a score that must have sounded wonderful when those theaters equipped with stereophonic sound systems played this costumer during its first release.But director Henry Koster's touch is particularly pedestrian in this one. (Note how he stages the legendary scene when Sir Walter Raleigh spreads his cape across a muddy patch for Queen Elizabeth to glide over it without soiling her royal hem. Tossed off as if it weren't worth showing!) And the script seems to be regurgitating all those well-worn cliches about a love and sex-starved Queen Elizabeth I surrounded by male courtiers who have only their various personal ambitions to keep them apparently interested in her feminine needs.Bette does her best (and even supposedly consented to shaving herself bald for the role!) and Richard Todd and a young and lovely Joan Collins convince as a couple willing to risk the frustrated Queen's wrath to consummate their love. And it's always a pleasure to see actors like Dan O'Herlihy and Herbert Marshall in support, despite how woefully little is made of their talents.Beware the VHS version, a "formatted" desecration of the original 2.55:1 CinemaScope ratio. For no other reason this handsomely mounted production deserves to be given the widescreen DVD treatment.