The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

27/9/1939 1h 46m 6.3/10

Overview

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

Director

Michael Curtiz

Top Billed Cast

Bette Davis

Bette Davis

Queen Elizabeth

Vincent Price

Vincent Price

Sir Walter Raleigh

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland

Lady Penelope Gray

Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn

The Earl of Essex

Alan Hale

Alan Hale

The Prince of Tyrone

Donald Crisp

Donald Crisp

Francis Bacon

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

6/22/2022

8/10

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...

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