Ania I don't ever feel compelled to tell what films are about, and I have my own reasons that are very important to my audience having their own experience. Minus the expectations we hope. Helen Miren gave a magnificent performance of a lifetime in this film. Thats according to me, but who cares. She was outstanding in this role, believable, real, and she embodied this queen with heart and soul. I was prompted to buy the DVD and watch again. Even on my computer this film is good. There were things I had forgotten, and scenes I don't remember seeing. I was in awe the second time around. I love this film. I know thats not new about me, but I happen to choose my films wisely. Jeremy Iorns is just good in my book, and the young Essex was wonderful. There was a lot of true to life acting in this film in my observation of people, and studying the psychology of the human condition. Watch this with time to relax, and enjoy it.

badgerapple The production contains an blatant error to anyone that knows of the Babington Plot. One commentator mentions the English historian Dr David Starkey had been on set and was much impressed. Well, shame on him. Chidiock Tichbourne, one of the Babington Plot conspirators, just before his execution wrote to his wife one of the most moving poems of that century. It follows at the end of this comment.In the production, this poem is given to Elizabeth by Cecil after Essex's execution and Cecil says it had been written by Essex the night before. She reads part of it which makes her weep. This was no doubt a deliberate error as a device to produce an emotional scene. The alternative is that everyone involved with the production were ignorant of the facts. Either way, so much for HBO respect for historical accuracy. If they get such a well-known incident wrong, deliberately or not, then so much for anything they ever portray.My prime of youth is but a frost of cares, My feast of joy is but a dish of pain, My crop of corn is but a field of tares, And all my good is but vain hope of gain; The day is past, and yet I saw no sun, And now I live, and now my life is done.My tale was heard and yet it was not told, My fruit is fallen, yet my leaves are green, My youth is spent and yet I am not old, I saw the world and yet I was not seen; My thread is cut and yet it is not spun, And now I live and now my life is done.I sought my death and found it in my womb, I looked for life and found it was a shade, I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb, And now I die, and now I was but made; My glass is full, and now my glass is run, And now I live, and now my life is done.

annog 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

X_Natz_X 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!!!