Elizabeth I: The Original Drama Queen

[Bast]

What is there about Queen Elizabeth (the first one) that fascinates Hollywood so much?

Oct. 5, 2007 - Queen Elizabeth II is so last year. This season’s royal obsession takes us back to a perennial favorite, her 16th-century namesake, Elizabeth I. Since the dawn of movies, great actresses have crowned their careers playing the enigmatic Virgin Queen. Sarah Bernhardt portrayed her in a 1911 film, Bette Davis starred in “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” in 1939 and again in 1955’s “The Virgin Queen.” Glenda Jackson was, in the 1971 BBC series, the best Queen Bess, say some ardent fans. Dame Judi Dench won an Oscar as the theatergoing ruler in “Shakespeare in Love,” and Helen Mirren played her on HBO (though not as brilliantly as her Oscar-winning turn as QE2). Even the flamboyant gay writer Quentin Crisp once had a go at old Queen Liz—which could’ve ignited those long-dead rumors that she was really a he.

But the greatest Elizabeth I may well be Cate Blanchett, who became an international star with her 1998 portrayal in Shekhar Kapur’s “Elizabeth.” Now she’s back on the throne in the second installment of Kapur’s potential trilogy, “Elizabeth: the Golden Age,” playing the monarch at middle age, in full command of her intellect, wit and subtle ability to manipulate her courtiers—if not in full control of her heart.

That the story of a queen dead for 400 years still captivates our imagination might be surprising—until you realize that here in the Colonies, we’re just coming to grips with the possibility of the first woman president. “Elizabeth really is the first woman to rule a country without a king in the modern world,” says Susan Ronald, author of “The Pirate Queen.” Highly educated and clever, she ruled over the expansion of England from a fragile, insolvent kingdom to an international power on the brink of empire.

more

Interesting. The timing is right for Hillary's potential accession to the office. I think the reason why she (Elizabeth) is so popular and so romanticized in films is that she was a great leader but also she had a very interesting life and a difficult life. It's hard to imagine what it'd be like to lose both parents early in your life and have your own life threatened from numerous sources and on numerous occasions, not to be able to marry someone you love despite being the most powerful person in your realm.

 

[sysyphus]

I like to think she more resembled the Miranda Richardson portrayal rather than the Helen Mirren or Cate Blanchett portrayal.

 

[Zarn]

If it makes you feel any better, I have no obsession with Elizabeth I.

 

[bathsheba666]

I preferred her portrayal in 'Jubilee', by Derek Jarman.

 

[Luckymoose]

Elizabeth II is hotter.

 

[sysyphus]

If it makes you feel any better, I have no obsession with Elizabeth I.

Whew! Tongiht will be my first good night's sleep in ages.

 

[germanicus12]

Well she did literally turn England from a poor nation to a world superpower in the span of 40+ years. I personally believe that is great. Not even America did that!

 

[TheBladeRoden]

Well she did literally turn England from a poor nation to a world superpower in the span of 40+ years. I personally believe that is great. Not even America did that!

We did it in 20 years! 1930-1950

 

[germanicus12]

We did it in 20 years! 1930-1950

We weren't exactly as poor as England.... we could afford to modernize. Also we became a superpower in 1945, at the end of World War II. We had a global war to help us become powerfull.... she did not.

 

[aneeshm]

Meh.

India has already had a woman Prime Minister.

 

[Japanrocks12]

Elizabeth II is hotter.

you're not joking?

 

[Bast]

I like to think she more resembled the Miranda Richardson portrayal rather than the Helen Mirren or Cate Blanchett portrayal.

That would be interesting.

 

[Bill3000]

you're not joking?

Oh come on, tell me you wouldn't hit this:

 

[QuoVadisNation]

Isn't it obvious?

Liberal media and its fascination with women leaders who ruled the way they wanted.. no matter what any man had to say about it.

 

[DBear]

Um, yeah, and where would she-who-must-not-be-named be without Bill?

 

[The Yankee]

Where would Elizabeth (either one) be if she weren't born to the right family?

But there's something about a female English monarch...

 

[Zarn]

Where would Elizabeth (either one) be if she weren't born to the right family?

But there's something about a female English monarch...

Ummm... revolution. Remember? Keep your game face on.

 

[Babbler]

Oh come on, tell me you wouldn't hit this:

Sorry, I couldn't help noticing how ugly Prince Charles was, even then.

 

[GinandTonic]

Sorry, I couldn't help noticing how ugly Prince Charles was, even then.

Not only was he ugly but we may have discovered the source of Cowell's unfeasably high-belted style.

 

[aronnax]

Ummm... revolution. Remember? Keep your game face on.

Would the revolution had fail if it was Queen Georgia instead?

hmm....


Washington: Long Live the Revoloution! And death to the Queen!
Soldier 1: But I like the Queen, she is nice.
Soldier 2: Yeah Did you see her potrait in her cornation? H-O-T hot!
Soldier 1: I know! I could not stop staring at it. Did you hear? Georgia is... ...
Washington: Hey Shut up! Remenber? Democracy? Revoloution? Ring any bells?
Soldier 1: Oh yeah. The war...
Soldier 2: ...still hot though
Washington: Palm-smack