Elizabeth

Critics Consensus

No mere historical drama, Elizabeth is a rich, suspenseful journey into the heart of British Royal politics, and features a typically outstanding performance from Cate Blanchett.

82%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 62

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 63,466

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Movie Info

Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) becomes queen of a divided and dangerous England in 1558. She is roundly perceived as weak by threats from within and abroad, and she is strongly advised to marry by counsel William Cecil (Richard Attenborough). But she will be married only to her country. Intelligent and cautious, she must choose where to place her trust: with her shrewd secretary Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), a master of espionage, or her secret lover, Sir Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama, history
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Shekhar Kapur
  • Producer:
    Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Alison Owen
  • Writer:
    Michael Hirst
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $$30,072,518
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

Cast & Crew

Cate Blanchett
Elizabeth I
Geoffrey Rush
Sir Francis Walsingham
Christopher Eccleston
Duke of Norfolk
Joseph Fiennes
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Richard Attenborough
Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley
Fanny Ardant
Mary of Guise
Kathy Burke
Queen Mary Tudor
Éric Cantona
Monsieur de Foix
James Frain
Alvaro de la Quadra
Vincent Cassel
Duc d'Anjou
Shekhar Kapur
Director
Michael Hirst
Screenwriter
Tim Bevan
Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Alison Owen
Producer
David Hirschfelder
Original Music
Remi Adefarasin
Cinematographer
Jill Bilcock
Film Editor
John Myhre
Production Design
Lucy Richardson
Art Director
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Critic Reviews for Elizabeth

All Critics (62) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (11)

View All Critic Reviews (62)

Audience Reviews for Elizabeth

  • Dec 01, 2016
    A handsome period drama that looks stunning but feels more like reading a History book, with a plain screenplay that doesn't offer many surprises and a cold, didactic direction by Shekhar Kapur that doesn't leave us engaged in the way that it actually should.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 21, 2012
    Elizabeth is a fantastic period drama and one of the best historical films I have ever seen. I must admit i didn't expect to enjoy this because it seemed like it was going to be very slow and uneventful, but boy was I mistaken. The script and characters keep us interested for the entire film, and I was entertained throughout and that is something you need to look for in a historical film. Cate Balnchett is incredible and perfectly handles the character of Elizabeth perfectly and how she grows more mature and wise throughout the film. The settings, makeup, costumes, and acting are all triumphantly amazing and really put us in this time period and I loved it. Director Shekhar Kapur keeps the film interesting using its actors and story to its advantage, and instead of slowing the film down by giving a confusing and slow plot, he gives us this one complex character and show her grow more and more throughout the films events and that is what really blew me away, how you can watch the beginning and end and see the major differences in the films hero. Elizabeth has been in a fight with Shakespeare in Love for what was the better period piece, and honestly I love them both so much that I cannot choose, but what I know is that this film is completely original and stands on its own feet and succeeds at being a powerful historical film.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • May 29, 2012
    For all of those who expect this to be an artsy politically royal type of movie, you have been warned. What makes Shekar Kapur's <i>Elizabeth</i> enjoyable is the contrast of commercial flavor and not-too-serious mechanism that gives it a memorable place in viewers mind. By no mean does the movie interpret the whole chronicle life of Elizabeth I, but with Cate Blanchett enigmatic performance, one would forget and maybe keen to learn and explore more on the tragic history of England's Protestant queen. 7.5/10
    Mesh B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 31, 2012
    This film is boring and forgettable. The one thing it does well is develop the Elizabeth character from a light hearted gal into a cold-blooded queen. However, the acting was so-so, the writing was plain and the editing was poor: Several scenes served no purpose but to prolong this mind-numbing bore-fest.
    Sanjay R Super Reviewer
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