Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18036 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-17
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 240 minutes

DVD Description

Helen Mirren plays the lead role of Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth I--a two-part Channel 4 drama written by award-winning screenwriter and acclaimed novelist Nigel Williams ("The Wimbledon Poisoner", "Bertie and Elizabeth" and "Uncle Adolf"). The drama begins in 1579 and portrays Elizabeth--daughter of Henry VIII--during her later years. It exposes the conflict between her sense of duty and the instincts of her heart, her doomed affair with the Earl of Essex, and the struggles of a powerful and independent woman battling to survive in a male-dominated world. During her reign, Elizabeth became one of England's most admired monarchs, having resisted the Spanish Armada and having reunified the nation after it was divided by religious factionalism. Her successes and popularity led to the creation of the 'Virgin Queen' legend, but this drama, for the first time, delves beyond this myth and attempts to uncover the real woman behind the crown.

Customer Reviews

Fabulous historical drama
Films about Elizabeth I are hardly thin on the ground, but this one is something special, driven by a mesmerising performance from Helen Mirren and a taut, intelligent script. The drama plays out in the second half of Elizabeth's reign, which makes for drama just as dramatic as her early years.

Mirren approaches the Virgin Queen as part coquette, part dominatrix, part earth mother, and many shades in between. The result is a portrait that accurately reflects what we know of Elizabeth's fascinating character. In Mirren's hands, Elizabeth emerges like a great lost Shakesperean role. It is a brilliant turn from this most compelling of actresses.

The supporting cast are also superb, with a well-cast Jeremy Irons as Elizabeth's great love-that-never-was, the Earl of Leicester. The performances are combined with sumptous production values that give a real flavour of the times (with some particuarly flavoursome execution scenes).

This is essential viewing. Full stop.

Excellent
Elizabeth is a two-part mini-series about the life and later years of Queen Elizabeth I. Helen Mirren received great acclaim for her portrayal of Elizabeth and I have to say it was definitely well deserved. She plays the part of `The Virgin Queen' to perfection and with Jeremy Irons in support as her lover, The Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth is a downright winner.

There is a mixture of a love story, scandal, humour galore and a few executions for the gore-hungry in the audience. The costumes were amazing, the plot flawless and the script very cleverly written. It will take some doing to find a depiction of Elizabeth that will rival this one. It's just that good.

A must for all 'Elizabeth I' Fans!!
This was a masive hit here in UK, it won the golden Globes too!! It was a fantasic performance of the monarch who has fascinated us for centeries. Helen Mirren played her like no other. This version plays on the 'other side' that we never got to understand of Elizabeth, her relationships! We get an insight into her mind and can sympathise with her. You must watch this if your a fan of the Elizabethan period.