Review of Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) by Kendel C — 01 Dec 2016

Cate Blanchett returns to play England's Virgin Queen in this sequel to Elizabeth. Directed once more by Shekhar Kapur, she looks amazing and the film has a stylish and opulent feel. There are some stunning costumes and the intrigues of the Elizabethan court are well realised.

Geoffrey Rush also returns to the role of Walsingham and there are some good performances by Clive Owen, Abbie Cornish and especially Samantha Morten who is stunning as Mary Stuart. The film does however suffer from a surprising lack of substance.

It just doesn't seem to be tense enough and despite some well realised CGI Spanish galleons, the Armada and the pivotal battle don't really feature enough "Umph" to give the menace and genuine terror that the English must have suffered at the time.

Further, I really cannot forgive the director and writers for the clumsy editing of what is probably Elizabeth's most famous and iconic speech. Although Blanchett looks magnificent addressing the troops on the eve of the sea battle, her Tilbury speech is butchered and completely omits the "I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too!" section.

I really don't understand why this most rousing and influential part is missing as it would have added mere seconds to the movie but made the whole scene, and movie far more satisfying.