Elizabeth I

Shekhar Kapur’s brilliant film interpretation of Elizabeth radiates a spectacular combination of cinematography and talented actors to dramatize the magnanimous character of England’s most reputable former queen, Elizabeth I. Although not void of historical inaccuracies, the film generally respects the significant events and circumstances leading to Elizabeth’s succession to the throne. The historical timeline, however, is much too expansive and the film unfortunately exhibits the flaws of such time constraints. The distorted facts are purposeful: they allow directors flexibility to achieve the demands of Hollywood entertainment and most importantly, to exaggerate the impact of the film’s perspective on gender roles: an insecure, fragile woman who ascends the throne must exchange her weaknesses for the dominant leadership abilities of a man in order to unite a country shattered by religious differences.
The film commences with violent riots between Catholics and Prot...