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Elizabeth: The Golden Age

From Alfawiki
Working Title Films
Company typeFilm production company
IndustryFilm industry
Headquarters
United Kingdom
ProductsMotion pictures

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is a 2007 biographical historical drama helmed by director Shekhar Kapur and produced through a collaboration between Universal Pictures and Working Title Films. Featuring Cate Blanchett in the role of Queen Elizabeth I, this film acts as a loosely interpreted yet historically inspired follow-up to Kapur's 1998 release Elizabeth. The ensemble cast also includes Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Jordi Mollà, Abbie Cornish, and Samantha Morton. The screenplay was crafted by William Nicholson alongside Michael Hirst, while the musical score was composed by both Craig Armstrong and A. R. Rahman. Production design was overseen by Guy Hendrix Dyas, who additionally co-managed the visual effects, and the costumes were created by designer Alexandra Byrne. Principal photography occurred at Shepperton Studios and various locations across the United Kingdom.

The film made its debut on 9 September 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by general releases in the United States on 12 October and in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2007. It received the Academy Award for Best Costume Design at the 80th Academy Awards, with Blanchett garnering a nomination for Best Actress.

Plot

Set in 1585, Catholic Spain under King Philip II, supported by Pope Sixtus V, is orchestrating an invasion of England aimed at deposing Queen Elizabeth I and installing Philip’s daughter, Isabella, as monarch. Elizabeth faces mounting pressure from her advisor Francis Walsingham to marry and produce an heir, particularly since her cousin, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, poses a continuing threat.

Returning from expeditions in the New World, explorer Walter Raleigh captivates Elizabeth’s attention. She assigns her lady-in-waiting, Bess Throckmorton, to keep an eye on him; Bess and Raleigh subsequently begin a clandestine relationship. Amid escalating tensions, Elizabeth seeks guidance from astrologer Dr. John Dee.

In London, Jesuits conspire with Philip as part of the Babington Plot to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary. Walsingham uncovers this conspiracy and urges Elizabeth to take decisive action. After confronting Spanish envoys and expelling them from England, Elizabeth learns of Mary’s involvement. Mary is subsequently tried for treason and executed, providing Philip with justification to declare war on England.

Bess confides her pregnancy to Raleigh; they marry in secret. Upon discovering this breach of royal protocol, Elizabeth banishes Bess and imprisons Raleigh. As the Spanish Armada nears, Elizabeth pardons them both, releasing Raleigh to join Sir Francis Drake in England’s defense.

Despite being outnumbered, the English fleet triumphs over the Armada through strategic deployment of fire ships combined with unfavorable weather conditions for Spain. Elizabeth observes from coastal cliffs as Spain’s fleet is destroyed. Later, she blesses the child born to Raleigh and Bess, reaffirming her identity as the Virgin Queen and sovereign leader of England.

Cast

Production

The main filming phase began on 28 April 2006 and wrapped up on 1 August 2006.

Historical background

In November 1558, Queen Mary I of England, married to King Philip II of Spain, passed away. Although their union took place in 1554, the English Parliament curtailed Philip’s power within England. Following Mary’s demise, Philip attempted, without success, to wed her successor, Elizabeth I.

Philip maintained peaceful relations with England for several years and even defended Elizabeth from papal excommunication to uphold the European balance of power. Nevertheless, Elizabeth supported Protestant insurgents in the Netherlands, while English vessels engaged in piracy against Spanish commerce and launched attacks on a Spanish harbor. The 1585 Treaty of Nonsuch, where Elizabeth pledged aid to the rebels, was perceived by Philip—especially after his Treaty of Joinville with France’s Catholic League—as a declaration of war. With papal endorsement, he initiated the Spanish Armada campaign against England and Elizabeth.

Sir Walter Raleigh, a favorite of Elizabeth, secretly married Bess Throckmorton after learning she was expecting. Both were incarcerated in the Tower of London but were eventually freed.

Dramatic licence

The film’s depiction of this historical era is extensively fictionalized for dramatic effect. Cate Blanchett expressed concerns about viewers confusing dramatization with historical fact. Notable inaccuracies include:

  • Sir Walter Raleigh is incorrectly portrayed as a central figure in defeating the Spanish Armada, overshadowing actual leaders such as Sir Francis Drake (who remains uncredited).
  • Robert Dudley, who served as lieutenant general during the Armada crisis, is excluded from significant events; his responsibilities are instead assigned to Raleigh. Dudley’s military operations in the Netherlands are also omitted.
  • Charles Howard, commander of the English fleet, is shown expressing worry over lost ships despite no English vessels being lost.
  • Elizabeth’s advisor Dr John Dee is inaccurately shown present during the Armada events; her chief minister William Cecil is entirely absent.
  • The Jesuit leader Robert Reston is a fictional character replacing the real John Ballard due to earlier cinematic portrayals.
  • The Babington Plot is oversimplified; Babington confronts Elizabeth at an altar, whereas historically it was uncovered before any assassination attempt.
  • Babington and his co-conspirators are depicted as executed by long drop hanging rather than the harsher punishment of hanging, drawing and quartering.
  • Marriage negotiations and suitors are portrayed during Elizabeth’s later years inaccurately; many occurred decades prior.
  • Philip II of Spain appears elderly and ill during the Armada campaign, although he was only slightly older than Elizabeth and died years later.
  • Infanta Isabel of Spain is shown as a child in 1588 but was actually 21 at that time.
  • William Walsingham is a fictional creation; the actual Walsingham was Francis Walsingham’s father.
  • Mary Walsingham’s date of death is misrepresented; Frances Walsingham married Philip Sidney instead.
  • The timing of Raleigh and Bess Throckmorton’s affair is incorrect; their secret marriage and imprisonment took place years after the Armada.
  • Mary, Queen of Scots speaks with a Scottish accent despite her French upbringing.
  • Spanish envoys are inaccurately depicted carrying swords in court despite prohibitions due to assassination risks.
  • Mary’s execution following arrest is shown as swift; in truth, she was imprisoned for 19 years before being executed at age 44.
  • The naval battle portrays broadsides fired by both fleets; however, Spanish artillery reloaded slowly and broadsides became common only later in naval history.
  • Elizabeth speaking German to Charles II lacks historical basis; there is no evidence she spoke German or met him.
  • No Spanish ambassador was present at Elizabeth’s court in 1585 due to expulsion following the Throckmorton plot.

These modifications prioritize narrative drama over strict historical accuracy.

Accusations of Anti-Catholic Bias

The movie depicts a significant chapter in the intense struggle between the Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, a division that profoundly influenced European political dynamics. Numerous reviewers charged the film with exhibiting an "anti-Catholic" stance, reflecting a conventional English historical viewpoint.

In the United States, Steven D. Greydanus of the National Catholic Register likened it to The Da Vinci Code, remarking: "The finale, a poorly executed depiction of the Spanish Armada's destruction, culminates in a series of church-critical visuals: rosaries drifting among burning debris, upside-down crucifixes sinking underwater, and rows of foreboding monks in robes retreating in defeat." He questioned why mainstream critics largely overlooked this anti-Catholic representation.

Stephen Whitty from Newark's Star-Ledger characterized the film as portraying Catholicism akin to a horror cult, emphasizing scenes with chanting monks and shining crucifixes. Colin Covert of Minneapolis' Star Tribune pointed out the presence of "distasteful anti-Catholic imagery," while Bob Bloom from Lafayette's Journal & Courier identified anti-Catholic sentiment as one of the movie's notable weaknesses.

Monsignor Mark Langham, Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, encountered criticism from certain Catholic circles for allowing filming on-site; despite this, he endorsed the film as essential viewing but conceded it reinforced the stereotype of "killer priests."

Franco Cardini, historian at the University of Florence, argued that the film forms part of a deliberate "campaign against Catholicism, the Holy See, and Papism" orchestrated by atheists and apocalyptic Christian groups. He questioned why such anti-Catholic messaging was disseminated amid initiatives aimed at restoring Western identity in response to perceived Islamic challenges.

Director Shekhar Kapur dismissed these claims, stating: "The film is fundamentally not anti-Catholic. Rather, it critiques extreme religious ideologies." He stressed that the narrative examines Spain’s efforts under Philip II to impose stringent Catholic orthodoxy, contrasting this with Elizabeth I’s comparatively tolerant religious stance. Kapur noted that while the Pope ordered Elizabeth’s execution, she nonetheless exhibited greater religious tolerance than Philip.

Kapur described his perspective as pluralistic: "History is both fiction and interpretation... It has always been subject to interpretation." He underscored Elizabeth’s attempts to uphold religious tolerance despite pressures from radical factions on both Catholic and Protestant sides. According to Kapur, the film’s core message addresses the conflict between fundamentalism and tolerance, rendering its historical account pertinent to present-day audiences.

Filming Sites

Soundtrack

The film's original music was crafted by A. R. Rahman alongside Craig Armstrong. Director Kapur appreciated their partnership, viewing it as a distinctive fusion of diverse cultural influences. The decision to enlist Rahman was partly inspired by Cate Blanchett's enthusiasm for Indian musical styles. Although Antonio Pinto contributed during the early stages of production, Armstrong ultimately shared credit as co-producer of the soundtrack.

In 2009, Armstrong expressed disappointment that some of Rahman's pieces were excluded from the final cut, though he remained hopeful they might be utilized in subsequent projects. Among the compositions, "Opening" gained exposure through BBC's broadcast of the 2008 Wimbledon Singles Finals, while "Storm" was featured in the promotional trailer for the 2013 release Man of Steel.

Home media

The movie became available on DVD and HD DVD on 5 February 2008, with a Blu-ray edition following in 2009.

Critical reception

Cate Blanchett's acting drew considerable acclaim; however, critical response in the United States was predominantly mixed to unfavorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 34% approval rating based on 163 reviews, averaging 5.1/10, with commentary noting its opulent production values yet a deficiency in the original film’s emotional depth and inventiveness. Metacritic assigned a score of 45 out of 100 from 35 critiques, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audience feedback via CinemaScore awarded it a "B" grade, consistent with that of its predecessor.

Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half stars out of four, observing that while the elaborate costumes and set designs occasionally eclipsed character development, Blanchett’s depiction of Queen Elizabeth I stood out as exceptional, showcasing her range seen in roles such as in I'm Not There.

Colin Covert from the Minneapolis Star Tribune rated it three stars, describing the production as an energetic portrayal of Elizabethan times despite historical inaccuracies. Meanwhile, Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe recognized its appeal to fans of melodramatic storytelling despite critiques regarding historical fidelity.

On Newsnight Review aired on BBC Two, Michael Gove commended the film’s patriotic portrayal of England, likening it to a rare heroic interpretation of English history comparable only to Laurence Olivier’s rendition of Henry V.

Box office

During its opening weekend across 2,001 theaters in the US and Canada, Elizabeth: The Golden Age earned $6.1 million, securing the #6 spot at the box office. In the UK and Ireland markets, it debuted at number four with £1.3 million ($2.7 million). By February 2009, global earnings had reached $74.2 million—comprising $16.4 million from North America and $57.8 million internationally. Its predecessor, Elizabeth, had accumulated $30 million domestically and $82.1 million worldwide.

Awards and nominations

The production garnered two nominations at the Academy Awards, winning for Best Costume Design awarded to Alexandra Byrne. Cate Blanchett received a nomination for Best Actress, marking her as the first female performer to achieve two Oscar nods for portraying the same character.

Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Academy Awards Best Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Best Costume Design Alexandra Byrne Template:Won
Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design for a Period Film Guy Hendrix Dyas Template:Nom
Australian Film Institute Awards Best International Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Won
British Academy Film Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Best Costume Design Alexandra Byrne Template:Nom
Best Makeup and Hair Jenny Shircore Template:Nom
Best Production Design Guy Hendrix Dyas and Richard Roberts Template:Nom
British Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film Remi Adefarasin Template:Nom
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Costume Designers Guild Awards Excellence in Period Film Alexandra Byrne Template:Nom
Empire Awards Best Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Irish Film & Television Awards Best International Actress Cate Blanchett Template:Nom
Satellite Awards Best Art Direction and Production Design Guy Hendrix Dyas and David Allday Template:Won
Best Costume Design Alexandra Byrne Template:Won

At the September 2008 edition of the Pyongyang International Film Festival (11th), the film was honored with a special screening award.

See also

External links

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