Travis Simpkins: Elizabeth (1998): Cate Blanchett as the Reigning 16th Century Queen of England

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Elizabeth (1998): Cate Blanchett as the Reigning 16th Century Queen of England

Directed by Shekhar Kapur, and written by Michael Hirst, Elizabeth (1998) was well-received by both audiences and critics. In 1558, Roman Catholic Queen Mary dies and leaves the throne of England to her Protestant half-sister, Elizabeth. Religious bickering, heresy and political turmoil threatens to topple the monarchy as Elizabeth sets forth to guide England through one of it's most uncertain epochs following the reign of King Henry VIII. The story focuses on the early part of Elizabeth I's 40-year reign, with a sequel following nine years later in 2007. Great attention is given to historical detail in both set and costume design. The burning at the stake and beheading scenes, and their aftermaths, are particularly gruesome. Cate Blanchett delivers a star-making performance as Queen Elizabeth I. Geoffrey Rush is superb as her trusted advisor, Francis Walsingham. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, including Joseph Fiennes as Robert Dudley, Vincent Cassel, Richard Attenborough, John Gielgud as Pope Pius V and Daniel Craig as the zealous priest John Ballard.