Release Details

Title: Elizabeth I

Release Date: 08/22/2006

Label/Distributor: HBO/Warner

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Prebook DVD: 07/18/2006

Retail Price: $29.98

Genre: Drama

Director: Tom Hooper (II)

DVD Video Options: Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled

DVD Audio Options: English, Original Language; English, Subtitled; French, Subtitled; Spanish, Subtitled

UPC Code: 026359333521

Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons star in Elizabeth I, a two-part HBO Films miniseries event that explores the intersection of the private and public life of Elizabeth I (Mirren) in the latter half of her reign, offering a personal look at her allies, her enemies and her suitors as she struggles to survive in a male-dominated world. Part 1 explores Elizabeth's tempestuous relationship with the Earl of Leicester (Irons) as it survives a French suitor, war, treason, and illness. Part 2 follows Elizabeth through her later years, during which she had an equally passionate affair with the young, ambitious Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy), who had been raised, ironically, by his stepfather Leicester. In the end, Elizabeth I sheds light on one of the most popular members of the monarchy who held absolute power over everything... except her heart.


Tipsheet Reviews
Special Edition Views

Elizabeth I

By Ed Hulse 8/14/2006

HBO/Warner, color, two discs, TV-MA, 211 min. plus supplements, fullscreen, Street: Aug. 22, $29.98; First Run: HBO, April 2006

 
Few monarchs have had their lives and reigns dramatized as frequently as England's "Virgin Queen," portrayed by such outstanding actresses as Flora Robson (who essayed the role three times), Bette Davis, Claudette Colbert, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. Now Helen Mirren joins that distinguished group with an Emmy-nominated performance in this HBO miniseries, which covers well-trod ground but does so with sufficient flair to make it seem fresh and unmarked. It's the old story of a queen forced to contemplate a politically expedient marriage, putting her duty ahead of her womanly desires. Like her predecessors, Mirren clearly relishes the opportunity to play such a rich character, and she does so impeccably. Hugh Dancy is more than passable as the dashing Lord Essex, and Jeremy Irons makes a suitably sardonic Earl of Leicester. These days, the least challenging aspect of assembling such a production is the art direction; you rarely see period films nowadays that don't pay scrupulous attention to detail. Elizabeth I's sets, costumes and props are all faultless. In fact, all the production values are feature-film quality. The two principal extras, "Making Elizabeth I" and "Uncovering the Real Elizabeth I," don't offer anything terribly unusual. The first is a standard behind-the-scenes featurette, and the second is a mini-documentary along the lines of History Channel fare.

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