Elizabeth/Elizabeth - The Golden Age

R2 originaali, tekstit mm. suomeksi. 

Double bill of films starring Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I. In 'Elizabeth' (1998), It's 1554 and England is ruled by the fervently Catholic Queen Mary (Kathy Burke), whose persecution of Protestants even extends to her own half-sister, Elizabeth (Blanchett). When Mary dies, Elizabeth succeeds to the throne, but finds her country under threat from the Scots, French and Spanish. Although conducting an affair with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), Elizabeth is urged by her advisors to wed and produce an heir. Meanwhile, plots against her are being hatched by the Catholic bishops, and Elizabeth soon becomes the target of an assassination attempt. In 'Elizabeth:The Golden Age' (2007), Blanchett reprises her role as the 'Virgin Queen'. This time round Elizabeth has to contend with the rising power of Spain, as Philip II (Jordi Molla) readies an armada for invasion, intent on returning England to Catholic influence. While her trusty servant Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) works tirelessly to protect her from numerous plots, Elizabeth discovers she has a potential weakness in her fondness for Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen).

Synopsis

Contains the sweeping historical epics Elizabeth and its sequel, Elizabeth - The Golden Age.Elizabeth is set in England, 1554 and Princess Elizabeth remains in grave danger from a dying Queen Mary, a Catholic, who has weakened England financially and religiously. On her death Elizabeth is made Queen and sets about wiping out all opposition to her leadership.
With her rule being publicly challenged by Spanish king Phillip II, Elizabeth - The Golden Age sees Queen Elizabeth I up against great turmoil, both politically and in her personal life.

From the Back Cover

Language: 5.1 English, French, Russian
Subtitles: English hard of hearing, French, Arabic, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Ukranian

Product details

• Actors: Cate Blanchette, Geoffrey Rush, Richard Attenborough, John Gielgud, Joseph Fiennes
• Directors: Shekhar Kapur
• Format: PAL
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Ukranian
• Dubbed: French, Russian
• Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired: English
• Audio Description: None
• Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Classification: 
• Studio: Universal Pictures UK
• DVD Release Date: 25 Feb. 2008
• Run Time: 248 minutes

This set contains the two films, Elizabeth and Elizabeth the Golden Age. There are two discs, one for each film in a standard DVD case. Disc one is the special edition of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth - This is a visually superb film, set in the 16th century it recreates the time and place beautifully. At its heart it is the story of Elizabeth Tudor, known to history as Elizabeth I, and her struggle to survive in the court of Queen Mary then later in the first few fragile years of her own reign. In a time of religious war, when Europe was divided by the Catholic/Protestant question and men would willingly die, kill and horrifically murder all in the name of faith, hers was not an easy life or reign at first.

Cate Blanchett excels as Elizabeth, and largely carries the film with her commanding performance, along with Geoffrey Rush's machiavallian Walsingham. She creates a believable character, a very real seeming person struggling to survive in a cruel world. We see the political intrigue and are presented with a rather touching personal story in the form of Joseph Feinnes as the ill fated Robert Dudley. I must also metion Richard Attenborough as William Cecil - it's a subtle performance that is worthy of note. Seeming like a cuddly old man every now and then a hint of steel comes through and he shows waht is really beneath the loveable exterior.

Elizabeth the Golden Age - Set some years into the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when religious war was still dividing Europe, this is a film that tries and succeeds to recapture the original magic of the excellent drama Elizabeth. Re-teaming Cate Balnchett as the Queen and Geoffrey Rush as Walsingham we are presented with an entertaining tale as the Spanish launch the Armada against England, backed by a convoluted plot involving Mary, Queen of Scots.

Cate Blanchett recreates the role of Elizabeth beautifully, giving us a character who is a strong ruler and yet still a real person, with a real persons needs and character flaws. Rush is once again superb as the Machiavellian Walsingham. Samantha Morton is a revelation as Mary, Queen of Scots, presenting a character full of dignity in a memorable performance. As well as the political intrigue, we are presented with another personal story for Elizabeth, showing how she deals with her feelings for Walter Raleigh and her jealousy as he goes off with someone else. It's a well scripted, acted and directed piece that manages to contrast the personal with the great threat to the country.

In both films the Director has created a beautiful image of the Elizabethan age, as costume dramas go it is very very well done indeed. My only small gripe is the extent to which script writers and director have played fast and loose with historical accuracy - The names and the general underlying story are about right, but little else. Do not look here if you are searching for the real story of Elizabeth.

That aside, it is as enthralling a four hours of cinema as one could wish for, adsorbing and entertaining films. Four stars.

Levy ja kotelo kuin uudet. Ostaja maksaa posti- ja pakkauskulut 3,5 euroa.      

Katso tästä muut kohteeni - Samoilla postikuluilla saat kaksi dvd- tai BR-levyä.