This historical drama set in the 16th century – starring Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush and charting the turbulent life and times of the self-proclaimed “Virgin Queen” – was given a vivid contemporary focus by Indian director Shekhar Kapur’s keen visual eye.
Spirited young Elizabeth is crowned queen upon the death of her sister Mary, amid religious conflict and intrigue at court.
Her advisers urge her to protect England from attack by making a political marriage with a suitor from either France or Spain, but her first commitment is to ruling her country.
A far cry from the usual costume drama, this sumptuous biography is a thoughtful and dramatic triumph and Australian actress Cate Blanchett is a revelation as the strong-willed monarch who nimbly transforms from naive girlhood to true majesty, assisted by Sir Francis Walsingham (Rush).
Richard Attenborough, Joseph Fiennes, Angus Deayton and ex-footballer Eric Cantona flesh out an interesting cast as Bollywood meets The Godfather.
Elizabeth I
Cate Blanchett Sir Francis Walsingham
Geoffrey Rush Sir William Cecil
Richard Attenborough The Pope
John Gielgud Mary of Guise
Fanny Ardant Bishop Gardiner
Terence Rigby Duke of Norfolk
Christopher Eccleston Lettice Howard
Amanda Ryan Queen Mary Tudor
Kathy Burke Alvaro de la Quadra
James Frain Earl of Sussex
Jamie Foreman Earl of Arundel
Edward Hardwicke Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Joseph Fiennes Isabel Knollys
Kelly Macdonald Kat Ashley
Emily Mortimer Woad, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Angus Deayton Monsieur de Foix
Eric Cantona Duc d’Anjou
Vincent Cassel John Ballard
Daniel Craig Lady in Waiting
Lily Allen
Director
Shekhar Kapur
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Spirited young Elizabeth is crowned queen upon the death of her sister Mary, amid religious conflict and intrigue at court.
