robert-259-28954 BRAVO, HBO, for producing a film of such class and emotional power. Seldom am I at a loss for words when describing the acting ability of anyone, but in Helen Mirren's case, I am rendered speechless. As an actor myself, it is habitual to be often over-critical of another's screen performance, no matter their reputation or experience. But in both parts of this two-film masterpiece, all I could see is perfection from stem to stern, a mind blowing tribute to the art and perfection of a single actor's brilliance. It is rare in this day of CGI, gratuitous sex and violence, and making movies for profit only, to witness such an amazing film creation, with values as wonderful to the soul as to the eye and ear. In addition to Mirren's flawless performance, is the inspired casting of another British icon, the great Jeremy Irons, in perhaps the performance of his life. I have often found Mr. Irons to be cold and unemotional in his acting choices, but in this role, he truly took the gloves off, delivering a stunning tour de force on a par with the emotional depth of Ms. Mirren. To miss this motion picture, so lovingly created by HBO, is to deprive yourself of a modern day classic, so rare for this day and age. Don't miss it.

Maddyclassicfilms Although not as good as the classic series Elizabeth R,starring Glenda Jackson this series from 2005 is well worth watching.It's focus is on the Virgin Queens later years after she has been on the throne for twenty years.Looking closely at her love affairs with Lord Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and the Earl Of Essex.Queen Elizabeth the First(Helen Mirren)has made herself one of Europes most powerful rulers and is well known as The Virgin Queen.However her loyal advisors especially Sir Francis Walshingham(Patrick Malahide)and Lord Burghley(Ian McDiarmid)keep saying she should marry for the security of the throne.She eventually says she'll consider a proposal much to the displeasure of her close friend and one true love Lord Robert Dudley(Jeremy Irons)who hates to see her persuaded to do things against her hearts desire.The scenes between Jeremy and Helen are some of the best in the series touching,funny and sexy.Beautiful costumes,period music and one of Helens greatest performances make this a must see.Featuring fine support from the likes of Ian McDiarmid,Patrick Malahide,Toby Jones as Robert Cecil and Hugh Dancy as The Earl Of Essex who becomes Elizabeths favorite after the death of Robert Dudley during the Spanish Armada.This is one to watch if your interested in this remarkable woman who lived life on her own terms and gave up her own emotional desires to give everything she had to England,and of course if you like well made TV drama with fascinating characters.

badgerapple The production contains an blatant error to anyone that knows of the Babington Plot. One commentator mentions the English historian Dr David Starkey had been on set and was much impressed. Well, shame on him. Chidiock Tichbourne, one of the Babington Plot conspirators, just before his execution wrote to his wife one of the most moving poems of that century. It follows at the end of this comment.In the production, this poem is given to Elizabeth by Cecil after Essex's execution and Cecil says it had been written by Essex the night before. She reads part of it which makes her weep. This was no doubt a deliberate error as a device to produce an emotional scene. The alternative is that everyone involved with the production were ignorant of the facts. Either way, so much for HBO respect for historical accuracy. If they get such a well-known incident wrong, deliberately or not, then so much for anything they ever portray.My prime of youth is but a frost of cares, My feast of joy is but a dish of pain, My crop of corn is but a field of tares, And all my good is but vain hope of gain; The day is past, and yet I saw no sun, And now I live, and now my life is done.My tale was heard and yet it was not told, My fruit is fallen, yet my leaves are green, My youth is spent and yet I am not old, I saw the world and yet I was not seen; My thread is cut and yet it is not spun, And now I live and now my life is done.I sought my death and found it in my womb, I looked for life and found it was a shade, I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb, And now I die, and now I was but made; My glass is full, and now my glass is run, And now I live, and now my life is done.

X_Natz_X There is so much to say about this amazing TV drama and it certainly is one of the best i have seen by far. It shows Elizabeth Is early and late stages of her reign and a great cast has been selected to fit the roles perfectly including Jeremy Irons, Hugh Dancy and especially Helen Mirren. She displays the emotions brilliantly from passion to rage and truly grips the audience with her fantastic acting. A true icon who couldn't have represented one of Englands best-loved monarchs more perfectly. Once you begin to watch it you cant stop as the great costumes, scenery and script grips you. It is definitely recommended and one to be watched. I think it would be hard to out do this truly captivating drama played by the inspirational Helen Mirren. Not one to forget!!!