You won't be disappointed!

Really Surprised!

one of my absolute favorites!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Fairly good overall, but inferior to other recent dramas of the Tudor era such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth (1998), Gunpowder Treason and Plot in that there is recourse to melodrama - a hint of a cult of personality that is absent from e.g. the 1998 production. Unfortunately this tinge of melodrama brings an overall feel of shallowness to the production which might otherwise not be there. At the same time one cannot fail to note that characters other than Elizabeth's are underdeveloped compared to the 1998 film, especially Walshingham's, which appears in both works. Well worth a watch but a little disappointing. Blanchett's Elizabeth is the recommended choice over Mirren's.

There is some sort of mass hysteria going on here. I think people have been fooled into believe that Elizabeth I, is deep. Here as on Masterpiece Theatre, expensive costumes and flash photography do not a "masterpiece" make.Mirren's "Bess" is a good one basically. She does swing well into the part, playing Elizabeth as a lusty CEO. Through 80% of the film this characterization works. But, when her character is emphatic in her darker emotions, Mirren is really over-the-top overwrought. And it reminds me of Mel Blanc, doing such things in the guise of many characters he voiced in Warner Brothers cartoons. I am actually embarrassed for her.Some of the blame for this poor acting must be shared with the script writers. There is an old axiom in screen writing that you can not just have the actors stand about and shout out their emotions. I am angry! I am anguished by your betrayal! You have to have clever dialogue to weave the fabric of the story for the audience.Elizabeth l commits the sin of having Mirren, and others, shout out their feelings. And it happens many times throughout the series.There is also the small matter( to some) of the very large liberties taken by the film with historical fact. They are numerous and at times completely at odds with the woman and her times.Elizabeth l is designed to be smutty, emphasizing Bess' odd, conflicting libido. I doubt that she and Leicester, or Essex, ever petted each other in public, let alone at a mass ceremony for the people.The Earl Of Leicester died at his house in Oxfordshire. Bess was no where close. and certainly not in bed with him. Essex, a shallow man, was no great fan of his step father, and was not there at his deathbed either.There are more and they pollute the truly fascinating story of one of history's most remarkable monarchs

This actor never ceases to amaze me. Having seen her riveting performance in "The Queen" for which she was justly and rightly awarded The Oscar, I could hardly wait to get my eyes on this and I was not disappointed.The story has been retold over and over, the reign of the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. Good Queen Bess. This production brings a freshness and humanity to this long(4 hour) tale, but every minute counts and I, for one, sighed when it was over, I wanted more.The costumes are incredible, the historical detail superb and Helen brings a humanity to the part that at times is heartbreaking. One understands the turmoil inside, she has not managed to secure a suitable husband or bear a child to inherit the throne. The script brings this humanity to the surface but also the strength of the monarch beneath. A monarch who won every battle, every contest. I could only envision Helen doing the script justice.Jeremy Irons as the Earl of Leichester plays well against her superb talent, bringing the devotion of years of service and love of her to the surface. A love that can never be legalized as he is considered unsuitable for her hand in marriage. The sensuous nature of this love is palpable as he and Mirren interact and weave their intimacies (and none of her relationships were ever consummated) into an intensity that is enthralling.The supporting cast are brilliant, hard to single any one out but it includes Patrick Malahide as Sir Frances Walsingham, Toby Jones (one of my personal favourites - he nails his roles) as Robert Cecil, who works his way to the forefront of the Queen's life even though she refers to him scathingly as "Pygmy", and Ian McDiarmid as William Cecil, a.k.a. Lord Burghley, father of Robert.The delicious Hugh Dancy plays Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. Two sided, self-serving and ingratiating. But lovely. Elizabeth falls hard and sometimes publicly. She is no fool though, with any one of her courtiers. "Off with their heads" is a frequent occurrence and the result is quite graphic and not for young eyes, or older ones, I had to avert my head several times and wondered how on earth the graphic disemboweling, beheading and quartering was done. The beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, is particularly gruesome from what I saw through my fingers.Not to be missed for fans of historical, epic costume dramas. 9 out of 10. Bravo to all.

There is so much to say about this amazing TV drama and it certainly is one of the best i have seen by far. It shows Elizabeth Is early and late stages of her reign and a great cast has been selected to fit the roles perfectly including Jeremy Irons, Hugh Dancy and especially Helen Mirren. She displays the emotions brilliantly from passion to rage and truly grips the audience with her fantastic acting. A true icon who couldn't have represented one of Englands best-loved monarchs more perfectly. Once you begin to watch it you cant stop as the great costumes, scenery and script grips you. It is definitely recommended and one to be watched. I think it would be hard to out do this truly captivating drama played by the inspirational Helen Mirren. Not one to forget!!!