Masterpiece Theatre - Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Set)

Being an avid reader of Tudor England, I felt this presentation of Elizabeth I was basically accurate in its portrayal of the people, their characters and their clothing although Elizabeth preferred much fancier clothing & elaborate hair styles of her wigs than was shown here. Philip of Spain who became Mary Tudor's husband and thus King of England was portrayed as a dark Spaniard as was Mary. This, however, was not the case...they were fair-skinned with light hair, not the brunettes as shown in the movie. Often times when producers and directors cast actors in the roles of the Spanish in Henry VIII and Elizabethan stories, they choose those who have dark complexions, mistakenly thinking all Spaniards are dark-haired, brown-eyed people which is certainly not the case. In addition to this, the man who played Philip was overweight & middle-aged---thus, not true historically.
Other than these misrepresentations and a few other important events which were omitted, such as Elizabeth plopping herself down on the steps of the Tower in the rain upon her arrest, I felt the movie was fine. I felt the role of Robert Dudley was done very well.

Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I had only seen the last part of this when it aired on PBS, it is even better from the beginning and my Daughter and I love period movies. I have a treasure in my poession.

It is good to see a non-Hollywood version of the Elizabeth I story. This British production has many details one would expect to learn in an in-depth course taught by a very entertaining history professor. The writing is excellent, as well as the acting.

If you wonder what happened to the english throne after the death of King Henry VIII this movie answers some of those questions. History comes alive in the Virgin Queen. Excellent viewing

I love this version of Elizabeth because i feel it is the closest to being accurate to her and her life. I found Helen Mirren dead on as Elizabeth and even though I love Cate Blanchette as Elizabeth I think that Helen does a better portrayal of her final years whereas Cate's version is better at her younger years....both are great and I have both in my collection.....