There are 2 remarkable movies that reflect the mind and heart of Queen Elizabeth: “Elizabeth” and “Elizabeth – The Golden Age” These movies portray a strong, and observant woman who is proud of her country, but also dealt with many trust issues at court during her reign. I feel that I finally get to see what Queen Elizabeth’s personality could’ve been like during the Tudor-Era.

Disclaimer: There are some spoilers in this article so I’d recommend you watch both first. Both movies are available on Amazon Prime Video  and free with ads.

Personality

We’ve read the stories, watched the documentaries, but my inclination was about her personality, how she spoke, her tone and demeanor. Actress Cate Blanchett helped me see an aggressive, passionate, yet young and fearful woman who’s full devotion was to her reign and rule of England.

In the beginning, the young Elizabeth was strong willed, yet still wanted to come to an understanding of her role. She was constantly persecuted for her beliefs being protestant, but never converted to Catholicism like her half-sister Queen Mary. The majority of the countries Queen Elizabeth had to deal with like Spain, France, and Scotland were Catholic, but the Queen stood her ground.

Leadership

Elizabeth I was raised by her mother Anne Boleyn, but watched and observed the roles and duties of her Father King Henry VIII and his councilman. She understood the power that her father had, and carried that knowledge with her to the Throne. She was cunning, incredibly smart, and forgiving to many of those closest to her. Cate Blanchett showed a very shy side of the Queen when dealing with her council. Mainly due to her being a woman as head of state, head of country. The council was small, unlike what England has today: A Prime Minister and Parliament (Like United States, A President and US Congress). During this time, decisions were able to be made at the table instead of waiting until a certain date for the law to potentially be passed. As she grew into her role in the second film, her words were firm and powerful…leading to every woman wanting to be her, and every man wanting to be with her.

Romance

Elizabeth felt that she could turn to her one and only true friend and companion,  Lord Robert Dudley. Robert Dudley was later brought on to the privy council, but suffered a bad parental reputation due to his father unable to prevent Mary I to accession. However, Dudley was able to move up in ranking and was becoming the Queen’s favorite. In the first movie we see Dudley and Elizabeth before she was Queen that he would spend time with her and praise her very much, but she later discovers that he was married and that fueled her anger that she decided to never marry and Cate stated the famous quote “I am married to England”. For factual sake, the Queen’s decision to not marry is unclear, but she did want a Mistress than a Master, and was named “The Virgin Queen”.

The second movie, you see Elizabeth well into her role as Queen, and many suitors are still looking to marry her, however, Cate provides the viewers a glimpse of her wise, powerful mindset of Queendom. She meets a pirate and is enamoured with this stories of the sea. However, he falls for the woman closest to her…her Mistress Beth, which gave the insight and finalization that the Queen remained unmarried.

Enemies

Nothing can be more clearer than the multiple enemies Queen Elizabeth had during her reign. Everyone wanted her throne, including her cousin Mary Queen of Scots. Mary was born and raised a Catholic and was destined to take the throne once she became of age. She was also set to marry Elizabeth’s half brother but passed King Edward VI. In the second film, you can see the Queen Of Scots locked away under Elizabeth’s supervision. Their storyline rivalry was not much shown in both movies, but in the first one, the Duke Of Norfolk was beheaded for treason because of his plot to marry The Queen Of Scots, and overthrow the crown of the English Queen. In the end, Queen Mary was beaded as well for treason, her title as Queen has been long gone, and Elizabeth remains victorious.

I think Cate Blanchett did a great job in both of these movies. It seems as though she enjoyed playing the role, but she definitely brought Queen Elizabeth I into what some think her life would’ve been like.

If you just spoiled yourself, I still suggest you watch them!