Elizabeth

Name: Elizabeth
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Released: November 6, 1998
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Cate Blanchett

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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Elizabeth

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Movie Details & Credits

Gramercy Pictures (I) | Release Date: November 6, 1998 | R

Starring: Cate Blanchett

Summary: This historical drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth I, from her days as an innocent young woman through her transformation into England's legendary "Virgin Queen." Formidable. Untouchable. Unbeatable... (Gramercy Pictures)

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 124 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

This historical epic about the "virgin queen" of England's early life moves with the crackling urgency of a contemporary political thriller.

Michael O'Sullivan

Where Elizabeth really triumphs over its dusty source material is in transforming all this boring history into a real, rip-roaring adventure tale. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The texture of the film is enough to recommend it, even apart from the story. Read full review

Russell Smith

Despite the florid trailers' emphasis on bodice-ripping romantic imagery, Elizabeth is above all a political thriller. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Elizabeth works in a number of ways. It's a feminist film. It's also a kind of spy thriller and a superior historical drama. Read full review

New Times (L.A.) Jean Oppenheimer

Although frustratingly confusing -- often the viewer can't be sure who is on which side or why -- the film brims with physical grandeur, exquisite costumes, and a captivating performance by Blanchett. Read full review

Ron Wells

All of the nutty editing and the loud score just grated on my nerves and failed the story. Read full review

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User Reviews

KenB

Oct 11, 2007

This is a great period piece, period.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Sam2

Aug 26, 2019

La actuacion de cate blanchett desaparece para trasformarse en su personaje es genial

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

kyle20ellis

Mar 30, 2022

This superb period drama has everything going for it, and I am saddened that it didn't get more awards.

For one thing, the whole film is splendid for the eyes. A lot of care went into the scenery, cinematography and costumes and it showed. The music score was absolutely beautiful, dramaticThis superb period drama has everything going for it, and I am saddened that it didn't get more awards.

For one thing, the whole film is splendid for the eyes. A lot of care went into the scenery, cinematography and costumes and it showed. The music score was absolutely beautiful, dramatic in some parts and poignant in others. The screenplay is quite extraordinary, and the story while perhaps historically inaccurate, is still intriguing. The direction, while the least impressive element of the film, was still solid. The performances were flawless; Cate Blanchett was above mesmerising as Elizabeth, and she is supported by an outstanding cast that include Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Christopher Ecceleston and Richard Attenborough. All in all, sumptuously filmed, and pretty darn good. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Habibiehakim

May 16, 2022

Elizabeth is not something really that terrific of a movie in terms of the movie itself, but in terms of Cate Blanchett performance, yes, she was terrific, she was amazing, she was incredible, and she was really the key of the film, if it's not because of her i think the movie will be justElizabeth is not something really that terrific of a movie in terms of the movie itself, but in terms of Cate Blanchett performance, yes, she was terrific, she was amazing, she was incredible, and she was really the key of the film, if it's not because of her i think the movie will be just ok or worse because despite most of the good things in the film, there is still some unnecessary and meh scene on the film that makes Elizabeth not perfect, it's a good powerful movie still overall and it is indeed a pretty interesting biopic story to tell.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Apr 4, 2018

This is an good historical film, which depicts the initial period of Elizabeth I of England's reign, and how she tried to hold on to power before her enemies. Historically, appears to be quite close to reality, despite the existence of some discrepancies. Its the first of three films (theThis is an good historical film, which depicts the initial period of Elizabeth I of England's reign, and how she tried to hold on to power before her enemies. Historically, appears to be quite close to reality, despite the existence of some discrepancies. Its the first of three films (the third is in development) that depict the reign of this monarch, embodied by Cate Blanchett, a remarkable actress who achieve, in these three works, her magnum opus.

And no less. Blanchett has managed to capture the physical aspect and most likely personality characteristics of this queen. A true chameleon work, which earned the actress a Golden Globe for "Best Actress Drama" (would have won the Oscar for Best Actress that year but, sometimes, the heads of the Hollywood Academy does not seem to know to see something good when they have it in front of their noses). Another actor who deserves congratulations is Geoffrey Rush, who gave life to Sir Francis Walsingham. Sir Richard Attenborough also participated in this movie (I think it must have been one of his last films) in the role of Lord Burleigh, with great talent. However, the male role that stands out in this film is Robert Dudley, played by Joseph Fiennes. This character was the true (probably the only) love of the young queen and is very important in the plot. Fiennes managed to capture his essence, opportunistic and somewhat hypocritical.

The sets and costumes are absolutely rigorous, depict pleasant rigor clothing and environments of the Elizabethan era. The colors are very good, nice to look at the movement of the camera is excellent, the dialogues are memorable and worthy of quotation. An excellent film that apparently ended up in the shadow and did not catch much attention from the public and specialists. Under-appreciated, perhaps a look at the overall of the three films allow this film a different look, and more just.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

amheretojudge

May 6, 2018

and make me a martyr..

Elizabeth The over thought out inner politics occurring between a major transaction isn't project to its best no matter how grand and rich the scale is, its just not royal-e. Michael Hirst's script isn't as smart as the makers think for it seems like spending itsand make me a martyr..

Elizabeth

The over thought out inner politics occurring between a major transaction isn't project to its best no matter how grand and rich the scale is, its just not royal-e. Michael Hirst's script isn't as smart as the makers think for it seems like spending its time just to pass it till the end by visiting different places and characters with an attempt to offer room and range to it. Shekhar Kapur is not in his A game and unfortunately fails to create the anticipated vision on screen. The feature aces on performance where the protagonist, Cate Blanchett is so good that she needs no support from her cast. Elizabeth is surely an important feature that might be accurate but the question raised upon here is whether it is an entertaining or intriguing one or not.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SonyaW.

Aug 27, 2006

THe worst. Nothing accurate about it save the fact Elizabeth was Henry VIII's daughter. After that bit of fact, the rest of it goes sharply downhill. Costumes are nice. If you know nothing about the history, you'll be entertained, if you know the facts, you'll be disgusted.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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24	#24 Best Movie of 1998
39	#39 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
18	#18 Most Shared Movie of 1998