MovieChat Forums > Elizabeth R (1972) Discussion > my opinion

my opinion

posted 18 years ago by valjoemv-1
17 replies | jump to latest

I've seen Bette Davis as Elizabeth I, Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I and finally Glenda Jackson as Elizabeth I. My opinion is that Glenda Jackson is Queen Elizabeth I. Reading all my royalty books seeing pictures of the Queen's favorites the men portrayed in "Elizabeth R" were wonderfully played. Who knew that the man who play Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester was in "Sense and Sensibility"(starring Emma Thompson & Kate Winslet). Who also knew that the man who played King Philip II of Spain was played Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk in "Anne of the Thousand Days". Seeing the pictures of Queen Elizabeth I in her court dresses and seeing them in "Elizabeth R" they were rightly portrayed. Acting in this movie was wonderful.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] BoomerMovieFan 17 years ago

Did you see Mary Queen of Scots with Vanessa Redgrave as well? I loved both this movie and the Elizabeth R series.

I have MQS on VHS and hope to buy the new double DVD, paired with Anne of a Thousand Days.

[–] FranSWAZ 16 years ago

To add to these, make sure to see Elizabeth (tv-- 2005) with Helen Mirren. She holds her place very well with all the greats you mentioned.

[–] FranSWAZ 16 years ago

To add to these, make sure to see Elizabeth (tv-- 2005) with Helen Mirren. She holds her place very well with all the greats you mentioned.

[–] Venus-25 16 years ago

Glenda Jackson will be Queen Elizabeth to me to the end. I would probably bow to her if I were ever to meet her.

Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett are also excellent, but both fall a little short of her performance. Bette Davis was a joke compared to these three brilliant actresses.

[–] Kuro-Inu 15 years ago

I am Insulted by the statement of Bette Davis being a Joke when it comes to being Elizabeth.

I Say that Davis was the best Bess, because that part WAS who Davis was. She had to personality and fire to be Elizabeth.
Ann Marie Duff was brilliant in the role
Helen Mirren was A treasure in the role
Kate Blanchette was the worst Elizabeth ever.
Judi Dench - again was a superb Elizabeth.

But this is about Glenda Jackson. She was an amazing Elizabeth, but sadly she is the only shining star in this series. Truly this show was like watching paint dry. I like her as good Queen Bess, but there are certain things that really sucked. and they are indicative of most British productions of this era.

Namely, Not everyone speaks with an English accent. this series was like watching a long and uninteresting play.

Glenda Jackson is brilliant, but Davis is the Best

[–] Just_Hannah 15 years ago

I really can`t add anything to this thread, other than to concur that Glenda Jackson`s performance as Elizabeth I, is stunning. The ultimate Elizabeth.

Atheism: a non-prophet organisation!

[–] themill 14 years ago

What, no one mentions Miranda Richardson? ;D Seriously, I tend to agree with you. I really enjoyed Judy Dench as Elizabeth as well.

[–] stepperry2008 13 years ago

Kuro-Inu [Quote] But this is about Glenda Jackson. She was an amazing Elizabeth, but sadly she is the only shining star in this series.[Quote/]
What about Michael Williams as the Duc?

[–] MmeMolly 14 years ago

Miranda Richardson is brilliant as Elizabeth. the Black Adder series is a scream. She portrays (to the extreme) the quirks of Elizabeth.
"I'm not as think as I you blonde I am"

[–] themill 14 years ago

@janowitz: Hahaha, you're right about Judy Dench's little cameo, of course. What can I say? It was what it was, but I enjoyed it.

[–] stepperry2008 14 years ago

Just so its clear you are just saying the length of Judi Dench's appearance as Elizabeth I not how she played it is what you agree janowitz about.
I would agree 5 or 8 mins as Elizabeth I is not enough to compare her performance of those who played Elizabeth I in whole movies or mini series.

[–] themill 13 years ago

Yes, that's what I meant. Really liked her for 5 or 8 minutes, but no real comparison.

[–] EJverh 12 years ago

I agree that Jackson takes the crown for the best portrayal of the Queen. Then the wonderful Blanchett (in both films; "The Golden Age" was a bad film, yes, but her performance is flawless, if only a bit over-acted), then Mirren who was surprisingly good but also tended to over-act. Still, I found her turn incredible in the series. Judi Dench had limited screen time to show more veriety in her portrayal, but was enjoyable, nonetheless.
As I said in an earlier comment, apart from Glenda's superb performance, the rest of the series is very boring. A cheap production (except the costumes and make-up, which were excellent), but not much more keeps you interested. And I hated the rest of the cast, especially Dudley. My God, that guy was as annoying as hell, too old, ugly and without charisma. The two had no chemistry together and ruined the love story for me (as opposed to Blanchett/Fiennes pairing of '98 which was brilliant).

[–] Sphinxara 11 years ago

Your mistake right there is assuming there should be a 'love story'. Just because Hollywood portrays their relationship as some great love story, that doesn't mean it was there. Elizabeth R sticks to the facts - flirtation, possibly even manipulation, mutual friendship and perhaps even devotion (as far as it could go and still be seemly) but no grand romance.

Your name is of no importance and you live in the pipe in the upstairs water closet.

[–] 13 years ago

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