Elizabeth (Spotlight Series) DVD Review
Posted by Christi Csonka on 09.29.2007
Before The Golden Age turmoil and bloodshed marked Elizabeth‘s rise to power.
Featuring:
Cate Blanchett: Elizabeth I
Kathy Burke: Queen Mary Tudor
Geoffrey Rush: Sir Francis Walsingham
Richard Attenborough: Sir William Cecil
Christopher Eccleston: Duke of Norfolk
Joseph Fiennes: Robert Dudley--Earl of Leicester
Directed By: Shekhar Kapur
Screenplay By: Michael Hirst
DVD Release Date: September 18, 2007
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Run Time: 124 minutes
Rated: R for violence and sexuality
The Film
The first time I viewed this, nearly ten years ago, I had immediately fallen in love. Mind you, I’ve always had a love of period films, especially biopics, so my initial impression of Elizabeth wasn’t entirely unbiased. Now, with the ‘Spotlight Series’ release of the film, I got a chance to experience the film again and see if my initial reaction to the film would remain unchanged. In a way, it didn’t. I still love this film, however, the reasons I love it have changed immensely.
Before, I was so wrapped up in the splendor of the film’s trappings, the costuming, music, scale, I failed to see the beauty of the story itself. This isn’t the first film or television series to tackle Elizabeth, but what has certainly set it apart is the period of her reign they chose to portray. we’re all familiar with the Elizabeth of The Golden Age, the time of the defeated Spanish Armada, Shakespeare, and enormous lace ruffs, but what rarely comes to mind is the trying circumstances surrounding her ascension to the throne.
A princess, then a bastard, then queen- at twenty-five Elizabeth inherited a country split between Catholic and Protestant, low on treasury and military power, and full of ambitious conspirators. We’d like to imagine the self assured, powerful, almost divine figure head in her portraits from the height of her reign, but here we get to see a more realistic, young woman still coming to terms with her new role as she learns she must redefine herself in order to survive.
In the beginning, we see a young Elizabeth- persistent, passionately in love, hair long and free flowing down her back, a joy ringing in her voice as her gowns’ necklines dip low to show off her vitality; but beneath it all there lies a vulnerability that only adds to her problems. Over the course of the film, we see her pull more into herself, forming the shell of the great Elizabeth I around her. Her hair becomes more formal, her voice more calculated, and her body less accessible as she entombs herself in higher, more rigid collars and a mask of white. The beauty of the script is our glimpse into the events that caused this transformation and set the stage for the reign we still talk about today.
Though a great deal of research went into the film, many things are, of course, merely the products of the writer’s imaginations. Even so, the fictional blends in with the factual so well, I can’t imagine it being as powerful or believable without the masterful combo. Point in fact, my favorite scene has to be when Elizabeth is in the cathedral with Walsingham as they discuss ‘what’ she is to be. Between them, a pale stone statue of the Virgin Mother. I love the symbolism, the way that moment and that object seems to act as a catalyst for Elizabeth as she then set out to become the divine symbol for England herself... pale, beautiful, a mother to her people, yet hardened like stone, her inner desires as locked in as those around her are locked out.
Video
The quality of the picture was very good. I wouldn’t exactly go nuts about it, but then I would like to see it on a better quality TV than I currently own, so perhaps that would help boost the clarity. Seeing it in widescreen was great, as I had originally viewed it in full screen and found I had missed some rather interesting edge details the first time around. Somehow, I honestly don’t recall seeing Norfolk’s woman in that see through robe as he dressed for Parliament before. I’ll chalk that one up to the glory of widescreen.
Audio
Here, I was amazed! The quality of the audio often had my skin prickling. From echoes in the Tower at Traitor’s Gate, to the baby crying in the background at the assassination attempt of Walsingham (which, by the way, made me pause the movie to see if it was the neighbor’s), I’ve had few films engage my sense of hearing as this one did. I don’t know about you, but hearing the footsteps on flagstone only adds to my being drawn into the story. I feel the character emotion more if I can share in their experience of foreboding. Whatever the lack of visual the video had, this certainly made up for it. If you have surround sound, you’re in for a treat.
Package
Your basic DVD here. Nothing special, unless you get a kick out of metallic gold ink. A nice image on the front, and a few screencaps on the back. The disc is basic with the title in red print, and the menu is a still with music from one of the dance scenes.
Bonus Features
Sneak Peek: Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Even though this film will be entering familiar territory (the period of her reign often portrayed in film), I’m salivating for it to hit theaters! Okay, I’ll admit it, I had to watch this twice it was so captivating. If you get this film, definitely check this out. I doubt the short teasers on TV will be as good.
The Making of Elizabeth
This is a good look into the making of the film. Cate, Shekhar, and others speak about their experiences, thoughts, and motivations and I found it enjoyable. Being the visual detail geek that I am, I was disappointed with its lack of depth when it came to the costuming, sets, and hair/makeup.
Elizabeth Featurette
This came off as The Making Part II. Most of it was redundant, so if you watch the Making, you can skip this.
Commentary with Director Shekhar Kapur
Ever want to pick someone’s brain? Shekhar does a good job of picks his for us. I usually get tired of hearing commentary, but he had a knack for keeping me interested in what he might say next. If you want to learn more little tidbits than the Making will offer, check this out.
The 411: If you’re a fan of period films and biopics, this is a must see. The filmmaker’s choice to film the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign makes this stand out from the other portrayals out there. She’s human, faulted and struggling, as we all are, in Elizabeth, giving the viewer an opportunity to see the once imprisoned ‘bastard’ of Anne Boleyn transform into the larger than life Virgin Queen history remembers. The visuals are opulent, the audio is outstanding, and the storyline gripping. Forget the popcorn, keep your eyes on the intrigue!
The first time I viewed this, nearly ten years ago, I had immediately fallen in love. Mind you, I’ve always had a love of period films, especially biopics, so my initial impression of Elizabeth wasn’t entirely unbiased. Now, with the ‘Spotlight Series’ release of the film, I got a chance to experience the film again and see if my initial reaction to the film would remain unchanged. In a way, it didn’t. I still love this film, however, the reasons I love it have changed immensely.
