Elizabeth (1998)

"...an enjoyable new interpretation of this most enigmatic of rulers.  Laura Miller, Salon.com
"...a superior historical drama.   Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
"Two thumbs up...breathtaking...fabulous.  Siskel & Ebert at the Movies

Editor's Note The story of Queen Elizabeth I, from her days as an innocent young woman to her coronation, up to the formation of her reputation as England's stern "Virgin Queen". A lush portrait of history, full of pomp, intrigue, and romance and anchored by Blanchett's award-winning performance and colorful direction from Indian newcomer Kapur. Academy Award winner for Best Makeup, Nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, Cinematography, Art Direction/Set Direction, Costume Design, Dramatic Score.

	Cate Blanchett
	Christopher Eccleston
	Geoffrey Rush
	John Gielgud
	Joseph Fiennes
	Kathy Burke
	Richard Attenborough
	Vincent Cassel
	David Hirschfelder - Original Music By
	Jill Bilcock - Editor
	Lucy Richardson - Art Director
	Michael Hirst - Writer
	Remi Adefarasin - Cinematographer
	Shekhar Kapur - Director
	Tim Bevan, et. al. - Producer

Movieline's Hollywood Life
"...Entirely fresh, sometimes radical, consistently entertaining....[Blanchett is] seductive, refined and potent..." 06/01/1999 p.81

Rolling Stone
"...Cate Blanchett has a passionate fire and wit that command attention..." 11/26/1998 p.132

Sight and Sound
"...ELIZABETH is bold and moving..." 11/01/1998 p.47-8

Entertainment Weekly
"...Flashy, gripping filmmaking....[Blanchett has] fiery, sexy directness..." -- Rating: A 04/30/1999 pp.99-100

New York Times
"...[Blanchett] brings spirit, beauty and substance to [her role]..." 11/06/1998 p.E16

Box Office
"...[Blanchett] is wonderful....Her transition from maiden to monarch is fascinating..." 11/01/1998 p.136

Los Angeles Times
"...[Blanchett] has a commanding grip on her character and gives her a seamless transition from naïve idealist to steely monarch..." 11/06/1998 p.C4

Total Film
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] robust period melodrama with an eye-catching pan-global cast..." 12/01/2007 p.152

ReelViews 8 of 10
One of the primary reasons Elizabeth works is because of the superlative performance of Cate Blanchett, who has turned out two of the most memorable female portrayals in the last two years...The supporting cast is top-notch. Geoffrey Rush brings something sinister to the crucial (if underwritten) role of Walsingham. Christopher Eccleston, who played the deliciously evil Mendel in A Price above Rubies, shows that he's every bit as good an antagonist in the 16th century as in the 20th...Elizabeth possesses a few weaknesses. The movie's editing is uneven, a situation that can result in occasional bouts of confusion when trying to unravel the Byzantine plotting going on at court, and the ending seems a little too pat. Overall, however, this is a fine historical melodrama, with enough adventure, intrigue, and romance to keep the proceedings from dragging...Shekhar Kapur's English-language debut is worth seeing, especially for those with an interest in the subject. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 9 of 10
The England of the first Elizabeth is a dark and sensuous place; the court lives intimately with treachery, and cloaks itself in shadows and rude luxury. As seen through the fresh eyes of an Indian director, Shekhar Kapur, ``Elizabeth'' is not a light ``Masterpiece Theater'' production, but one steeped in rich, saturated colors and emotions. The texture of the film is enough to recommend it, even apart from the story...At the end of the film, Elizabeth announces, ``I have become a virgin.'' And so she remained, ruling over and in some sense creating the England that gave us Shakespeare. Think what a play he might have written about her, if commoners had been allowed to create characters out of reigning monarchs. No doubt he retired in sheer frustration. - Roger Ebert