FrogGlace
In other words,this film is a surreal ride.
AshUnow
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
BelSports
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Lucia Ayala
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Kirpianuscus
and not surprising. because Helen Mirren has the science and art and force to be inn and out of her characters in a magnificent manner. because nothing could change the powerful impression about her performance. a performance who, in subtle way, transforms the character in a masterpiece. Elizabeth I is a good example. first because, after books and movies, theories and speculations, she is a profound different Queen. rigid and vulnerable, old and energetic, seductive and cruel. the solitude of the Queen becomes not only realistic but an ice show itself. because its roots and ways and maps are so clear. because the story has a special dose of realism. because she is Elizabeth and any comparison with other interpreter becomes strange.
SnoopyStyle
It's 1579 London. After 20 years on the throne, Elizabeth I (Helen Mirren) still refuses to marry. The men of the court plot to get her married for political advantage. She and the Earl of Leicester (Jeremy Irons) have feelings for each other. They await the Spanish Armada with his stepson Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy). After Leicester's death, Elizabeth takes Essex as her new lover. Essex has a rival in the Privy Council in Robert Cecil (Toby Jones).Helen Mirren is beyond masterful. The great thing is how human the queen is in this version. This is filled with great actors. It's a smaller scale TV miniseries. The first part is interesting that ends with the Spanish Armada. The second part is even better. It's darker and more fascinating. This is a much performed character but Mirren still brings it.
Yana Yakimova
Elisabeth I wasn't on my list of films but last night I was flicking through films available on channel 4 and came across it. I didn't expect much but what a treat this mini series was! I now can't think of a better person than Helen Mirren to play Elisabeth I. From the very start she kept me captivated by her flawless acting, beautiful dresses and wit. Her golden speech "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too" is there, and it's marvelously delivered to her people and you believe that they bought it. Mirren was so fantastic, it almost feels as if she surpassed Elizabeth I. I think even a person with the least interest in history would enjoy this semi in series.
Bill Peter
I'm a big fan of the film "Elizabeth", but this TV production is better, and I cannot rate it highly enough. Being for TV works to its advantage, as they could pick the best "actor" for each part instead of a "star". For example, Patrick Malahide is far far better than Geoffrey Rush as Walshingham (spelling?). The only slight let-down was the Duke of Anjou. The actor in the old Cointreau advert (that dates me) had far more Gallic charm to woo Elizabeth than the actor here. The gore of punishment was handled well, including the two strokes to kill Mary, Queen of Scots - but what about the three to kill Essex? Unfortunately Helen Mirren, who was a real tour de force, has already done the sequel (Elizabeth II), so we haven't got that to look forward to. However, what about the long-promised film about Mary, Queen of Scots?
