The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Norman Reilly Raine (screenplay) and
Æneas MacKenzie (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom.

Plot:

This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Ireland | Queen Elizabeth I | Earl | Historical

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars.

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Queen Elizabeth
Errol Flynn	...	Earl of Essex
Olivia de Havilland	...	Lady Penelope Gray
Donald Crisp	...	Francis Bacon
Alan Hale	...	Earl of Tyrone
Vincent Price	...	Sir Walter Raleigh
Henry Stephenson	...	Lord Burghley
Henry Daniell	...	Sir Robert Cecil
James Stephenson	...	Sir Thomas Egerton
Nanette Fabray	...	Mistress Margaret Radcliffe (as Nanette Fabares)
Ralph Forbes	...	Lord Knollys
Robert Warwick	...	Lord Mountjoy
Leo G. Carroll	...	Sir Edward Coke

Also Known As:

Elizabeth and Essex
Elizabeth the Queen (USA) (TV title)
The Knight and the Lady (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Vitaphone)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #5411)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

To give the illusion of baldness, Bette Davis shaved her head two inches in front to show a high forehead under Elizabeth's red wigs.

Goofs:

Continuity: Elizabeth completely smashes a mirror but in next shot a large shard of it still remains in the frame.

Quotes:

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex: And now, may I go? This dying sticks in my mind and makes me poor company.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Elizabeth and Essex: Battle Royale (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (Come Live With Me and Be My Love)

Queen Bette

The main interest in this 1939 film is the great performance by Bette Davis. It was a role she was born to play. Her input on the film makes it work in unexpected ways. Under the direction of Michael Curtiz, the stage play, by Maxwell Anderson, gets a great Technicolor production. The adaptation by Norman Reilly Raine and Aeneas McKenzie, works well.

The main thing is not to look for real history in this movie. We are given a fictionalized account of what Mr. Anderson thought was drama, taking dramatic license along the way. With all that into account, the film rewards the viewers splendidly.

Errol Flynn was cast as Robert Devereux for his good looks, no doubt. He offers such a contrast against the aging Elizabeth, that one wonders what could have attracted these two souls into a love both felt for one another. Mr. Flynn is not as effective here as in some of his other vehicles, where he reigned supreme. In this movie, he is totally outfoxed by a cunning Bette Davis. Both stars brought their own chemistry to the roles and it's curious that after all the years since it was released, the film still fascinates.

Olivia de Havilland plays a minor role of Penelope. It's curious seeing her in some frames with Errol Flynn, her partner in many movies where they played lovers to better effect. The supporting cast is excellent. Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Vincent Price, Henry Stephenson, Nanette Fabray and Herny Daniell, among others, support the two stars well.

Ultimately this was one of the best films Bette Davis graced with her appearance. The film remains one of her signature creations. This Elizabeth offered her a role in which she could portray one of the strongest women in history. Ms. Davis outshines others whenever they are seen in scenes together.

Long live this queen! Long live Queen Bette!