The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)
1h 46m | PG-13
This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.
Director: Michael Curtiz
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Video: 720p
Cast
Bette Davis
as Queen Elizabeth
Errol Flynn
as The Earl of Essex
Olivia de Havilland
as Lady Penelope Gray
Donald Crisp
as Francis Bacon
Alan Hale
as The Prince of Tyrone
Vincent Price
as Sir Walter Raleigh
Reviews
Bette Davis; Errol Flynn some swash, buckle and a rousing Korngold score - what more could you want? This is a sumptuous costume drama based on the real life story of an elderly Queen Elizabeth's infatuation with the much younger and more reckless Earl of Essex. There is an engaging chemistry between them - though the script does rather drag at times; and the usual suspects in support - including Olivia de Havilland; Henry Stephenson, Henry Daniell & Donald Crisp keep the whole thing moving along nicely. This is also the first film in which I actually recall Vincent Price having a more substantial part in, too. Lots of theatrical licence taken with the actual turn of events, but hey - it is all good fun...