The Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex
(A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex' (directed by Michael Curtiz, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca) tells the story of the tempestuous, ill-fated love affair btwn. England's matronly Queen Elizabeth I & the dashing Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (Bette Davis, Errol Flynn). They were only happy when together alone; away from the intense pressures of their everyday lives. Elizabeth would've loved to have him as her husband. But he was too ambitious. And relinquishing her throne to him would likely have proved disastrous for England. Drama ensues.
Although this film is not historically accurate, it's still an involving, beautifully shot (in vibrant Technicolor) epic drama with amazing costumes/sets, solid direction by Michael Curtiz, & great performances. I mean, when you have a cast that includes Bette Davis {wow}, Errol Flynn {for sex appeal}, Olivia de Havilland {a real beauty}, Vincent Price, Donald Crisp, Nanette Fabray {I barely recognized her}, Alan Hale, & Leo G. Carroll, then you know you're in for something momentous.
Bette Davis is scintillating as Elizabeth. For the role (and portraying a woman more than twice her age), she famously shaved her hairline to make her forehead bigger, plucked her eyebrows {which she says never grew back}, & wore old age make-up -- talk about commitment! Adorned in Orry-Kelly's elaborate costumes, Davis stomps around the massive castle set, nervously twitching her fingers (Davis read that Elizabeth did something similar to this) & barking orders in a British accent. She's headstrong, stubborn; chewing EVERY scene she's in, and yet, it all felt just about right. Great performance; one of 4(!) that she gave in the 1939 season (she was nominated for Dark Victory, broke my heart in The Old Maid, and impressed in Juarez).
It is reported that Davis wanted Laurence Olivier for the part of Essex, feeling that Errol Flynn lacked the dramatic skills to pull off the role. Having said that, I actually think he was quite convincing as the charming, stubborn, overly-ambitious Essex. Davis was at the peak of her career; Flynn, too. And funny enough, Davis even admitted {many years later} that she was wrong about Flynn, and that he did portray Essex correctly. Still, he couldn't measure up to Davis' titanic talent. I also enjoyed Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope. De Havilland - coming off of Gone With the Wind - took this Supporting turn as a favor to friend, Bette Davis.
'The Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex' has some slow spots here & there. I wasn't riveted 100% of the time. Some of the scenes have a stagey feel to them. And as mentioned, this isn't the most historically accurate film you'll ever see. But it's just so fascinating to watch Bette Davis dominate the entire production. I also quite liked the sequence involving the excursion of Essex to Ireland to subdue Tyrone (Alan Hale). And the dialogue (script writing) is just wonderful to hear coming from the mouths of these amazing thespians. Overall, 'TPLOE&E' is an excellent motion picture that should be seen by fans of Hollywood's Golden Age of cinema.
Although this film is not historically accurate, it's still an involving, beautifully shot (in vibrant Technicolor) epic drama with amazing costumes/sets, solid direction by Michael Curtiz, & great performances. I mean, when you have a cast that includes Bette Davis {wow}, Errol Flynn {for sex appeal}, Olivia de Havilland {a real beauty}, Vincent Price, Donald Crisp, Nanette Fabray {I barely recognized her}, Alan Hale, & Leo G. Carroll, then you know you're in for something momentous.
Bette Davis is scintillating as Elizabeth. For the role (and portraying a woman more than twice her age), she famously shaved her hairline to make her forehead bigger, plucked her eyebrows {which she says never grew back}, & wore old age make-up -- talk about commitment! Adorned in Orry-Kelly's elaborate costumes, Davis stomps around the massive castle set, nervously twitching her fingers (Davis read that Elizabeth did something similar to this) & barking orders in a British accent. She's headstrong, stubborn; chewing EVERY scene she's in, and yet, it all felt just about right. Great performance; one of 4(!) that she gave in the 1939 season (she was nominated for Dark Victory, broke my heart in The Old Maid, and impressed in Juarez).
It is reported that Davis wanted Laurence Olivier for the part of Essex, feeling that Errol Flynn lacked the dramatic skills to pull off the role. Having said that, I actually think he was quite convincing as the charming, stubborn, overly-ambitious Essex. Davis was at the peak of her career; Flynn, too. And funny enough, Davis even admitted {many years later} that she was wrong about Flynn, and that he did portray Essex correctly. Still, he couldn't measure up to Davis' titanic talent. I also enjoyed Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope. De Havilland - coming off of Gone With the Wind - took this Supporting turn as a favor to friend, Bette Davis.
'The Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex' has some slow spots here & there. I wasn't riveted 100% of the time. Some of the scenes have a stagey feel to them. And as mentioned, this isn't the most historically accurate film you'll ever see. But it's just so fascinating to watch Bette Davis dominate the entire production. I also quite liked the sequence involving the excursion of Essex to Ireland to subdue Tyrone (Alan Hale). And the dialogue (script writing) is just wonderful to hear coming from the mouths of these amazing thespians. Overall, 'TPLOE&E' is an excellent motion picture that should be seen by fans of Hollywood's Golden Age of cinema.