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The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

90 votes

Producing House

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

movie

Status: Released

Released Date: 1939-11-11

Runtime: 106 mins

Director: Michael Curtiz

Spoken language: Italiano, English

Genres: Drama, History, Romance

Original title: The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Countries: United States of America

Reviews

G

Geronimo1967
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...
2022-06-22

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