Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5664 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-20
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Formats: Colour, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 522 minutes

Synopsis
Elizabeth R is the Emmy-winning BBC dramatisation of the 45-year reign of Elizabeth I chronicling the British monarch's affairs of state and affairs of the heart. From with her ascendance to the throne, Elizabeth I challenged the status quo, not least by her refusal to marry. Heavily researched and gloriously designed, Elizabeth R is considered by many to be the most factual representation of the life of this truly unique queen.

Glenda Jackson gives a regal performance as Queen Elizabeth I, growing from a terrified princess surrounded by treachery to assured monarch and liverish old lady. Robert Hardy and Michael Williams also star.

Customer Reviews

TV at its Best!
Made some decades ago, and long before Ms Jackson's career in politics got underway, this set has the true power of good TV. The costumes are magnificent, the dialogue spectacular and exceptionally well delivered and each 'playlet' masterfully conveys the key historical issues, intrigue and conspiracy. Ms Jackson truly IS Elizabeth R and the sets, made for TV, add to, rather than detract from, the drama by their plainness. Anyone who wants a brief introduction into the life, times and reign of our greatest monarch should definitely watch this- they just don't make them like this anymore, sacrificing great acting for splendid scenery instead.

One of the greatest interpretations of Elizabeth I
`Elizabeth R' starring Glenda Jackson as the infamous monarch, is an excellent drama on the reign of Elizabeth I.

The production appears to begin where the other BBC drama `The Six Wives of Henry VIII' left off. As such we are able to see Elizabeth's life prior to her reign. We witness the several intrigues that she was sucked into, including the mischievous activities of her step-father Thomas Seymour, whose behaviour towards her was anything but fatherly, and later her possible involvement in Wyatt's rebellion resulting in her spending time in the Tower.

Glenda Jackson is fantastic as Elizabeth and is easily one of the best actresses ever to have played her. In the first episode she appears slightly old to be playing a teenage Elizabeth (or even one in her early twenties), but as the production goes on she excels more and more. She is able to play a dignified and tempestuous Elizabeth without going overboard on either glorifying her or portraying her as too stormy.

Casting on the whole is fantastic; Vivian Pickles is great as Mary Queen of Scots. Perhaps the worst casting is that of Elizabeth's favourite Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. He is neither handsome nor intriguing as Dudley was reputed to be, so it is hard to understand why Elizabeth admires him in this. However his storyline, like most of all the other characters is dealt with well and it is interesting to see the inclusion of his first wife Amy Robsart and her mysterious death.

The production was made in the 1970s and this is very evident. The scenery is not as great as in recent productions on this period, however the script is excellent and the costumes impressive for a TV drama. And it is great to witness some of the embarrassing haircuts that some of the actors have (particularly the guy who plays Sir Anthony Babington who appears to have an awful perm!)

Overall `Elizabeth R' is a superb account of the reign of Elizabeth I and includes many accurate details. It does not attempt to oversimplify the Mary Queen of Scots affair (unlike some recent dramas on Elizabeth I) and it focuses well on Elizabeth's hesitations to marry and her choices of suitors. There is a big cast which means many famous Elizabethan courtiers and personalities are represented. There are even scenes from the French court. Some people may dislike the fact that the drama was made some 30 years ago, but while modern adaptations of Elizabeth I's life may be glitzy and glamorous, this focuses more upon acting and including as much detail as possible on Elizabeth's reign and life as a whole. And for that alone it excels all other dramas on this remarkable queen.

Historical viewing at its best!
Having seen three other portrayls of Elizabeth, I believe this one to be the best. You wont find any of the others as close to being historically acurate as this is. The casting is excellent, and Glenda Jackson plays the part of Elizabeth superbly. Bare in mind this BBC series was first transmitted in 1971, so don't expect modern effects, amazing scenes or great battles. If your interested in the history and what is believed to be the truth, you won't need the modern effects of film & television to leave you amazed by this adaptation.