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Poster for Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Seen it?

1998 | 123 min | Drama, History

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It won an Oscar, it earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Last Duel, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 3 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

The story of the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Makeup. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 5 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Outstanding British Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Cinematography, British Academy Film Awards: Best Make-Up and Hair and 1 more. Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Best Actress. Won 1 Venice award: Venice International Film Festival: Best Actress. Also nominated for 6 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 SAG Award. Plus 12 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $82 million worldwide on a $30 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 318K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Shekhar Kapur

  • Cate BlanchettElizabeth I
  • Joseph FiennesRobert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
  • Geoffrey RushSir Francis Walsingham
  • Christopher EcclestonDuke of Norfolk
  • John GielgudThe Pope
  • Richard AttenboroughSir William Cecil
  • Fanny ArdantMary of Guise
  • Éric CantonaMonsieur de Foix
  • Vincent CasselDuc d'Anjou
  • Kathy BurkeQueen Mary Tudor