Customer Reviews

Elizabeth R [VHS]

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a superb BBC miniseries, or "cycle of six plays", with extraordinary acting and most of all, a script that is a marvel, which uses original documents and the writings of Queen Elizabeth I as its source, making the story, so full of intrigue and drama, for the most part very accurate.
My favorites are the monologues, spoken with such power by Glenda Jackson, whose performance is a treasure. The cast that surrounds her is also wonderful, and often having a physical similarity to the historical character (with kudos to the make-up department).
There are so many reasons to buy this fantastic DVD package, which may seem expensive but is actually an excellent value. For historians this is a must, and anyone who appreciates great English theater will be delighted. The quality of the film is also exceptional, with an exceedingly clear picture and audio.

I bought it to prepare for a portrait of Queen Bess, and was enthralled by the detail of the costuming; what amazed me was how the fashion changed during the queen's forty-four year reign. It was a time rich with culture and style, with the emergence of Shakespeare and other great writers, and the queen loved clothes and jewelry, and surely set the trends.
The music by David Munro also adds to the atmosphere, and the sets have an authentic feel.
This is a brilliant production, and total running time is 540 minutes.

The DVD "extras" are terrific, are the entire content of the 4th disc, and should perhaps be viewed before the film, for full appreciation of the history. The "extras" are:
1: A lengthy interview with Glenda Jackson
2: An interview with historian Alison Weir
3: "Elizabeth I", an A&E documentary with commentary by various authors and historians, and marvelous imagery to illustrate it.
4, A: Glenda Jackson reads documents. B: Portrait Gallery (there is an error here, where the portrait of Robert Dudley is actually one of Sir Francis Drake). C: Historical Sites, including the queen's tomb, palaces, etc.
5: Behind the scenes, with a Who's Who of the cast.

This Masterpiece Theatre, six play series of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England is magnificent. Written by six different playwrights, they are uniformly excellent. Glenda Jackson reigns supreme in the role of Elizabeth I.

While the production values are not high, that is because these plays were part of a televised series for which there were budgetary constraints. The shift from indoor sets to outdoor scenes is awkward, as it entails a switch from tape to film. The stage makeup is noticeable, as the lighting is harsh and glaring. Although the sets are a stark and dreary backdrop, the costumes are sumptuous and gorgeous. More important, the acting is, at all times, superlative.

Elizabeth I is played to perfection by Glenda Jackson. She has set the standard by which all others who seek to reprise this role will be judged, and she is the linchpin around which the entire six play series revolves. She begins the series playing Elizabeth as the young woman who would be queen, waiting upon the whims of her sister, the Queen Mary, and trying to survive the political intrigues and plots which surround her and threaten her very existence. The threat dissipates upon Mary's death, though it never disappears, and she becomes Queen of her beloved England.

As the series progresses, one sees her mature and resist the overtures and attentions of would be husbands, preferring, instead, to be married to England. One sees the development of her political and diplomatic acumen, as she sublimates her personal desires to become the greatest monarch, male or female, England has ever known, The Virgin Queen.

Each one of the plays has its own unique story to tell about Elizabeth and is a first rate drama that segues seamlessly into the next. The supporting cast is superb. All in all, this series provides a fully absorbing, historically accurate drama. It is through Ms. Jackson's insightful and commanding performance that one is able to understand why Elizabeth I was responsible for ushering in England's golden age.

All right - there are flaws in this series. One wishes the BBC had the budget of that purple travesty, Blanchett's ELIZABETH. Then, too, there are unintentionally funny moments for the Tudor aficionado, as Gloriana conversationally employs remarks culled from speeches to Parliament she would not make for years. And I'm not crazy about Vivian Pickles as Mary of Scotland. Too shrill.
That said, this is an extraordinary, magnetic, all-around brilliant piece of work. After many, many viewings, I still marvel that Glenda Jackson is not herself a scholar, so perfectly does she capture the queen we know through Neale and Camden. I carp over misplaced dialogue, but how thrilling that such research went into the project, that the writers sought to convey Elizabeth's heart and soul through her own words!
My favorite episode remains 'The Enterprise of England'. Somehow, the duel between Philip and Elizabeth, his character and concerns, her sentiments regarding him and the power he represents, the scope of England's fear and effort, are all set in human terms and flow with the grace of excellent narrative. My favorite illustration of the effort that went into this production: the actor portraying Francis Walsingham. He is a mirror-image of the best surviving portrait we have of that fascinating man. And does a superb job, too.
The whole production is a treasure. Historians have noted that the elderly Elizabeth tapped her foot in time to the music she could no longer dance to; notice this subtlety beneath the dialogue in the last part. Elizabeth wrote 'his last letter' upon Dudley's final note to her; this is fact. Watch Jackson perform this simple act, and see what this actress does with it.
This was television at its absolute best. It still is.

I remember first seeing this series on PBS when I was 12 years old. I was entranced with Queen Elizabeth I ever since. After its release on video, I've seen each part in this six part series at least ten times!! And yes, I DO have a life. Glenda Jackson is one of the greatest actresses of our time (besides the fact she earned two "Best Actresss" Oscars) . Her potrayal of Elizabeth is the pinnacle of the countless other portrayals, and believe me, I've seen them all from Bette Davis and Flora Robson to Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. However, what is also so amazing is the historical accuracy. Of course it is impossible to have a completely historically accurate account of her life and reign since it was so complex. However, for Elizabethan buffs like myself, you can see that the writers really made that effort. This is demonstrated in the court intrigue, the actual times and places of important events, and the recoded quotes and speeches of the Queen and her courtiers. The detail also was evident in the way sixteenth century Europeans may have dressed and lived; this included the aging Elizabeth's apparence right down to her rotting teeth, false red wigs, and heavily caked white makeup. Even the actors LOOK amazingly like their painted historical counterparts. The detail, the costume, the accuracy, and most of importantly, the ACTING were superb and spine tingling. I think it is a must for anyone who is studying Tudor History or for anyone who enjoys great drama for that matter. If you love this, also watch "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" which was a precursor to "Elizabeth R". Some of the actors in "Six Wives" reprise their roles in early portions Elizabeth R.

I'm English and I can vaguely remember this series on the BBC when I was a child. I've heard about it, how popular it was at the time, how it was shown all over Europe and made a star out of Glenda Jackson. I have an interest in the period and a fascination with Elizabeth I, who remains one of the best remembered and admired of all English rulers in England's long history. So, I bought this DVD, although no-one seemingly can tell me why this is available on DVD and VHS in the USA but only on VHS in England!

It was well worth importing. True, the limitations of 1970's BBC production values do irritate a bit at times, but the quality of the drama - the supremely intelligent dialogue, and above all Jackson's acting really make you forget this after a short time. The reason is of course is that this belongs to a tradition that we're not so used to seeing today - the theatrical. For this is a theatre production with a camera instead of a live audience, where the dialogue, and above all the acting are made to shine and where the background is essentially irrelevent. The costumes are, however, superlative.

I really can't praise this drama enough, it's completely spellbinding. The historical accuracy is excellent, but above anything else it's Glenda Jackson's performance which is the real standout here, and moreover once you read the historical accounts you realise how astonishingly accurate Jackson's performance is - she simply *is* Elizabeth. You cannot take your eyes off her when she's onscreen - her expression of face, eyes, her voice, they all convey a myriad of things all at once.

This really is essential viewing, not only as a marvellous drama but for Jackson's extraordinary portrait of this most extraordinary woman.

This is a really fine series. I've watched it four or five times, and each time an interesting hidden nugget or two pops up. Jackson dominates the film like a titan. Her prowess is undeniable and unforgettable. She gets the importance of Elizabeth's fierce intellect, and it makes every moment spent with her transparent, heightened by using Elizabeth's own words and expression. I can't think of another portrayal of Elizabeth that comes close. The film conveys mediaeval court coarseness with confidence and beauty, and it pulses with Jackson's genius beginning to end. In the presence of her Elizabeth, you're pulled way beyond acting; a coruscating diversion, and one here recommended. Each episode's script surpasses the perfect one previous, one of the film's best features. Perennial BBC production values are front and center, and the cast is crackling. Robert Hardy takes an oddly unsettling turn as Dudley, but truth is, Glenda Jackson ignites and nothing else matters. It's a tour de force full of rewards. You'll find nothing else even registering in the region. Handsome kudos to BBC and the English theatre tradition, still unsurpassed. Check it out.

Elizabeth R is an outstanding and refreshingly accurate 1972 dramatisation of the life of Queen Elizabeth I. Headed by an all-star British cast, the acting is flawless, the costumes magnificent, the writing first-rate, and the dialogue sumptuous. Existing documents have been utilised for speeches and such, but the same tone or feel has been maintained throughout, resulting in a rich verbal tapestry.

The series is presented in six 90-minute episodes, and as for the quality of the DVD set, the BBC has done an exceptional job. The picture is nice and clear, the sound is good, and the disc set is encased in a richly flocked, emerald green slip case. Best of all, however, are the numerous special features. Firstly there is a 30-minute interview with Glenda Jackson (2001) wherein she talks about the role and her preparation for it, about Elizabeth, and lastly about politics (she's been a Labour MP for the last decade or so). Also informative is a 20-minute interview with historian Alison Weir (2001), wherein she talks about Elizabeth, her world, and the accuracy of the presentation. There is a 45-minute A&E biography (1996) on the life of Elizabeth, an audio reading by Jackson of a number of period documents, behind-the-scenes' photos of Jackson in make-up and costume fitting, a portrait gallery with stills of various characters displayed beside portraits of the originals, and a text-based guide to who's who in the cast. A wonderful feature (which I highly recommend viewers take advantage of!) is the audio commentary provided by Alison Weir, which one can turn on while watching the episodes. Weir provides a lot of background information and other tidbits, as well as highlighting areas where liberties have been taken.

Born in 1533 to Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was a woman of formidable intelligence who proved herself to be an extremely capable and dedicated monarch, and Glenda Jackson's portrayal of her from youth through old age is nothing short of a masterpiece. I have seen other actresses in the role but Jackson's portrayal is and (for me) always will be the definitive one. It is sheer perfection--one in which realism (thankfully) is not sacrificed on the altar of vanity. Jackson went so far as to blacken her teeth to mimic the rotting teeth of the ageing Elizabeth; also, she partially shaved her head in order to better resemble the high-foreheaded Queen.

Familiar faces to fans of British television include: Robert Hardy (All Creatures, Edward the King), who is magnificent as the dashing Robert ("Robin") Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the life-long love of Elizabeth. The late Michael Williams (A Fine Romance) is highly enjoyable as Elizabeth's "Frog", the Duke of Alencon--the only real contender for her hand. The late Peter Jeffrey is superb as Phillip II of Spain. Robin Ellis (Poldark) is splendid as the young, handsome, highly ambitious but petulant and self-destructive Earl of Essex, whom the Queen rather foolishly favoured--indeed doted on--in her old age.

In conclusion, I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone interested in history or historical biography. Being a 70's dramatisation, it may not have the slick production values of more recent endeavours (ie. it feels at times as though we are watching a play that's been filmed), but don't let that deter you. You'll have to look far to find a more authentic dramatisation or one that is better written or more consummately acted. If you are familiar with and have enjoyed other superb historical productions of the time--shows like I Claudius or The Six Wives of Henry VIII, for example--you will surely enjoy this one! Finally, for those interested in delving a little deeper, I highly recommend Alison Weir's well-researched, captivating book entitled The Life of Elizabeth I.

To see England's famous "Virgin Queen" portrayed as closely to how she actually was you need go no further than this superb historical mini series from Thames television which was originally part of their Masterpiece Theatre series of productions. Glenda Jackson gave what was probably her most brilliant performance among her many acting triumphs in this series which traces the life of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England from the reign of her brother Edward V1 through to her own death in 1603. The series chronicles her dangerous years as the protestant heir to her sister Mary's Catholic throne, her accession to the throne and the many religious and international struggles with Spain and France that marked her memorable reign. Never on screen has the character of Queen Elizabeth been I feel captured so perfectly than it is here by Glenda Jackson and her performance over the 6 individual teleplays that make up "Elizabeth R", and which see her grow from a frightened young girl to the commanding image of "Gloriana" and the mother of her people. I certainly makes other interpretations of this famous queen by actresses as varied as Flora Robson, Bette Davis, and Cate Blanchett pale into the background. In truth it is the DEFINITIVE portrayal of Elizabeth and also importantly of the final period of the reign of the Tudors. Because of it's meticulous historical research and closeness to historical fact this series makes essential viewing for both history buffs and those that appreciate fine acting.

As mentioned the six episodes take a section of Elizabeth's reign and turn it into a compelling piece of theatre.

"The Lion's Cub", traces Elizabeth's perilous early life after the death of her father King Henry V111 up to her own accession to the throne. It explores her dangerous flirtation with Thomas Seymour (John Ronane), that saw him eventually go to the block, and her tense years as the heir to the throne of her suspicious older sister the Catholic Queen Mary (Daphne Slater), which saw her come close to death when she is implicated in the revolt organised by Sir Thomas Wyatt (Robert Garrett).

"The Marriage Game", sees Elizabeth becoming more involved with her court favourite Robert Dudley (Robert Hardy) and being courted by all the anxious heads of Europe determined to secure the young English Queen's hand in marriage all the time failing to realise that her only marriage will ever be with her own kingdom.

"Shadow in the Sun", sees Elizabeth almost caught in the matrimonial web of France's Queen Mother Catherine de Medici (Margaretta Scott), when she involves herself in a whirlwind courtship with the dashing Duc d' Alencon (Michael Williams).

"Horrible Conspiracies", involves Elizabeth's long standing battle of wits with the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots (Vivian Pickles), that culminates in the dangerous Babington Plot that almost costs Elizabeth her life but which results in the beheading of Mary on Elizabeth's orders.

"The Enterprise of England", deals with Elizabeth's former brother in law Philip of Spain (Peter Jeffrey), who vows revenge on his long term rival for both Mary's execution and the constant pillaging of Spain's treasure ships by Sir francis Drake (John Woodvine). It concludes in the destruction of Philip's massive armada of ships sent against England to destroy Elizabeth once and for all.

"Sweet England's Pride", deals with the closing period of Elizabeth's reign where her favour falls on the rash young Earl of Essex (Robin Ellis), who through his hot headed behaviour alienates the formerly besotted Queen who is put into the agonizing position of ordering his execution as a danger to the state. Elizabeth's own slow death then follows not long after ending an eventful but glorious reign.

Rarely has an historical mini series managed to cover such an eventful reign and so many important historical situations as "Elizabeth R". While the early production values of the six teleplays at times let this splendid series down it is the performances that make this a viewing treasure. Glenda Jackson is of course remarkable as Elizabeth displaying all that complex woman's confidence and insecurities, but it is also the other actors performing roles in various episodes who help create the sustained dramatic brillance through the entire running time. Ronald Hines as Elizabeth's ever loyal William Cecil, Robert Hardy as the love of Elizabeth's life Robert Dudley, Peter Jeffrey as Elizabeth's determined enemy Philip of Spain and Vivian Pickles as the tragic but head strong Mary Queen of Scots are just some of the talented players that create wonders in their various roles. The attention to historical detail is also first rate here as can be seen in the perfect recreation of Tudor court life with its ever changing fashions and historical events. Although it is lit very harshly at times the transformation of Elizabeth from a young girl in "The Lion's Cub", to a mature aged woman in "Sweet England's Pride", is a remarkable tour de force for the makeup artists involved as are the truly magnificent costumes wore by all the actors and by Glenda Jackson in particular which were modelled on those in the real portraits of Elizabeth 1.

For lovers of Tudor history and fine dramas "Elizabeth R", is unsurpassed viewing of the first order and is just as arresting to watch now as it was back at its first screening in the early 1970's. Glenda Jackson really gives all present day actresses a superb lesson in characterisation throughout these six teleplays which are the best portrayal of England's Virgin Queen I have seen by far, enjoy!

This series of six 90 minute episodes helped put Masterpiece Theatre on the map back in the early 1970's and starred a very young Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth. The acting is outstanding, and the series has the vast majority of the historical details down correctly. However, you are going to have to accustom yourself to the rather crude looking lighting and camera work that was typical of PBS production values of the early 1970's. In fact, unless there is some copyright problem at work I am unaware of, that is likely why I have not seen it on TV in 15 years. The series takes Elizabeth from shortly after the death of her father, King Henry VIII, in 1547, up to her own deathbed in 1603. The following is a brief description of each of the six episodes:

1. The Lion's Cub - The series begins in 1547 with the brief six-year reign of Elizabeth's sickly younger brother, Edward VI. Manipulated by his Seymour uncles, he prefers to debate religion with Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. His untimely death is followed by the nine day reign of the usurper, Lady Jane Grey. The people refuse to allow the true succession to be supplanted and rise up in the name of Edward's oldest sister, Mary, who ascends the throne. The majority of the episode deals with Mary's attempts to convert Elizabeth to the Catholic faith. Various plots and rebellions flare, and Elizabeth spends some time under arrest in the Tower of London. She is released when Mary weds the Spanish king, Phillip II. The marriage is not a success, and the pitiful Mary dies childless, leaving only one heir to the throne, her sister Elizabeth.

2. The Marriage Game - In 1558, the marriage of the new queen is the most pressing political issue of the new reign, as it is imperative that Elizabeth produce an heir. Foreign princes negotiate for her hand, but Elizabeth refuses to commit to any one of them. Meanwhile, her friendship with Sir Robert Dudley deepens, causing unease among her councillors. Dudley's wife dies by a mysterious fall down a flight of stairs, and all of Europe believes the English queen engineered the tragedy. An attack of smallpox brings the queen near death, and her council laments that there is no viable heir to the throne. Elizabeth recovers, but her problem remains: if she remains childless, who will succeed her?

3. Shadow in the Sun - The episode opens as Elizabeth and her court react to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, in which hundreds of French Huguenots (Protestants) died at the hands of the French king's troops. Ever the pragmatist, Elizabeth is willing to set aside her horror and open marriage negotiations with the French king's younger brother, the Duke of Alencon. A tender romance develops between the aging queen and the younger, impish Duke. Behind the scenes, Elizabeth's councillors Cecil, Sussex, and Walsingham bargain with the Duke's mother, the formidable Catherine de Medici. The queen undergoes an awkward physical examination to prove she can still bear children, while her favorite Dudley, now the Earl of Leicester, attempts to sabotage the marital plans. As the queen vacillates, Alencon drops a bombshell: Leicester has secretly married Elizabeth's cousin, the Countess of Essex. In the end, the queen cannot bring herself to marry. She bids farewell to her last chance at personal happiness, and her last chance of bearing children, and reveals her melancholy by composing a poem, "A Shadow in the Sun."

4. Horrible Conspiracies - In the mid 1580's attention turns to Elizabeth's closest relative and greatest enemy, Mary, Queen of Scots. Imprisoned by Elizabeth for many years, Mary is a focal point for Catholic unrest in England. Walsingham is concerned for Elizabeth's security but knows that the queen will never consent to Mary's execution without incontrovertible proof of her treachery. He engineers a meeting between the Scottish queen and Sir Anthony Babington, a leading Catholic aristocrat. A plot develops to overthrow Elizabeth and seize the throne, a plot followed step by step by Walsingham. Its revelation leads to Queen Mary's trial and conviction, but Elizabeth cannot bring herself to order the execution of an anointed queen. Ultimately, she signs the death warrant, only to disavow it later. But her recantation is too late; the Queen of Scots is executed.

5. The Enterprise of England - The execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the order of Queen Elizabeth, shocks Europe, and encourages King Phillip of Spain to prepare to invade England in 1588. At Elizabeth's direction, Sir Francis Drake wages small piracies upon Spanish ships, which does nothing to deter Phillip's assembly of the mighty Spanish Armada. At the English court, debate rages over attempts to negotiate peace, while at the Spanish court, the king is urged to delay. Phillip, moved by God, launches his fleet, and Elizabeth, against the advice of her new favorite Essex, joins her troops to await the invasion. Though vastly outnumbered, the English fleet, with smaller, swifter ships, out-maneuvers the larger Spanish galleons. A terrible storm finishes the job: the Armada is defeated. Back in London, Elizabeth is in the mood to celebrate, until sad news reaches the court: the queen's one true love, the Earl of Leicester, has died.

6. Sweet England's Pride - At the end of her life, Elizabeth is a parody of her former glory. The ancient queen tolerates the insufferable egotism of her young favorite, the Earl of Essex, to the chagrin of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Robert Cecil. Egged on by sycophantic friends and his mother Lady Leicester, Essex believes he can supplant Elizabeth and rule in her place. His hubris leads to his downfall, and he is arrested and executed. Elizabeth has outlived all her contemporaries, and with the son of her enemy Mary, Queen of Scots poised to inherit her throne, she takes her last breath.

If you don't know much about Queen Elizabeth before watching this series, spend a little time reading brief sketches on her father Henry VIII and her mother Ann Boleyn. Also, be sure to read about Elizabeth's younger brother Edward and older sister Mary, both of whom who preceeded her as England's King and Queen, respectively. Their biographies figure heavily into Elizabeth's reasonings and the choices she made, but there is not much detail given about their lives in this series. Much has been made recently about the 4 hour drama "Elizabeth I" starring Helen Mirren made just last year. That is definitely a good program on the subject, but this one is much better, since it shows the entirety of Elizabeth's adult life. Also, although Helen Mirren did a wonderful job, she doesn't seem to age a day over the length of the series even though over 20 years pass. Glenda Jackson's Elizabeth has you believing you are watching the queen mature from a giggling teenager to the 69 year old monarch she was at her death. Highly recommended.

Elizabeth R is the third part in the BBC trilogy dealing with The Tudor royal dynasty of England, albeit the second that was filmed and transmitted. The story of Henry VII, the first Tudor King, came later. First broadcast in 1971, this six-part, nine-hour drama still remains one of the finest and most lavish costume dramas ever produced by any TV company in the world. The story follows on from the previous year's similar six-parter Henry VIII, and each epsiode deals with a particular aspect of Elizabeth's life from the time of her brother King Edward VI death, through to her own death. Double best actress Oscar winner Glenda Jackson is the definitve actress to play the role, and is surrounded by a stellar cast, including Robert Hardy, Robin Ellis, Peter Egan, Michael Williams, Angela Thorne and Vivian Pickles. The story is presented in a theatrical style, with very few film inserts, which somehow adds to the intensity of the piece. The picture quality and sound remain superb, depite the age of the material, and the extras on the fourth disc in the set are worth the price alone. Here, Ms. Jackson, who retired from acting upon her election to the British Parliament in 1992, gives a fascinating (although a little badly edited) interview on the role and her life since, alongside Tudor expert Allison Weir giving her thoughts on the historical aspects of the drama. Weir also provides a commentary soundtrack during the drama itself. Also included is A&E's biography of Elizabeth, and Jackson reading some of the Queen's more famous speeches. I would certainly recommend seeing the earlier Six Wives of Henry VIII before viewing this drama, simply for continuity sake and for getting the story in it's full perspective. Sadly, only a rather poor quality DVD of that series is available, but the VHS version has been around for over a decade. They certainly don't make dramas like this anymore, which is a great pity, but now it can be enjoyed over again on DVD