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Amazon.co.uk Review
The BBC's classic 1971 drama series reached its climax in these last two episodes which cover the most glorious years of the reign of Elizabeth I, from the triumph of the Spanish Armada to the Virgin Queen's death as a raddled, grotesque old woman in 1603. Still capricious in her dotage, she fends off the threat both of the Spaniards and of rebels closer to her own court through a series of deft political moves that leave her ageing courtiers struggling to keep up. Glenda Jackson's performance in the title role remains one of the wonders of quality television drama. Her portrayal of a complex, wilful, frequently terrified monarch with an instinct for survival that, until the end, was often all that stood between her and personal and national disaster, more than lives up to its Emmy-Award-winning status. There may have been more action-packed interpretations of Elizabeth's life and times since, but as a drama that balances the driving personalities of an age with the turbulent undertow of inter-court intrigue and conspiracy, Elizabeth R may never be bettered. --Piers Ford
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Further to the previous review, not much more can be said. The acting, the costumes, the sets are all EXCELLENT. If you want to see what Queen Elizabeth I and her times were really like, then watch this.
Particularly worth keep an eye out for is the dreadful treatment of the English fleet after the destruction of the Spanish Armada and how Elizabeth dealt with the near bankrupcy of England at the time.
I would have given this wonderful work 5 stars, but the for the following fact: It's about English history and one of it's most admired monarchs, it's filmed in England by the BBc, funded by the British taxpayer and has only been released in the USA on region 1!!!!!! WHY????? Copme on BBC, look to your own first!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The only word for this is sumptuous. From the first class acting from a galaxy of Britain's finest actors, to Glenda Jackson's stunning performance in the title role, to the glorious costumes and lavish sets...this dramatic depiction of a slice of English history has never lost its gloss and sheen or become tired and stale through the years. As fresh, intriguing and enticing now as it was when it was first shown.
It could teach today's film makers a thing or two.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent best historical movie ever!!!!!!!
at first i thought this was quite boring but then i loved!!!!glenda ia great.i have been instrested in elizabeth 1 since i was..well i cant remember buy it!! Read more
Published on 11 May 2005
You want accuracy? This is it...
This series was the best piece of Historical Drama that I have ever seen; sumptuous costumes, accurate events, and all in all fantastic performaces from Robert Hardy, Ronald Hines... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2004 by M. Stoneham
Gloriana comes to life
The costumes are sumptious, the political rivalries as the young jostle to oust the old superb but above all, there is Glenda Jackson's masterly portrayal of the Virgin Queen. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2003
A GREAT FOLLOW ON FROM HENRY V111.
HAVING SEEN THE HENRY THE V111 SERIES WHICH I THOUGHT WAS BRILLIANT,I,VE SINCE BECOME FASCINATED BY ENGLISH DRAMA (PARTICUALLY FACTUAL)ELIZABETH R IS LIKE A NATURAL ADDITION TO... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2001 by mr brian s deppe
Excellent acting bv one the greatest actresses ever!
Glenda Jackson is the greatest actress I have ever seen. She has the best speaking voice and in this miniseries she is mesmerizing! Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2000
the life of england's most wonderful queen
infact i loved this series it was wonderful i admired the great acting of glenda jackson she was just the greatest queen elizabeth ever cat,e blanchet looked like a 10 year old... Read more
Published on 9 April 2000
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