elizabeth

The Lady Elizabeth (Thorndike Press Large Print Historical Fiction)
$16.95
Alison Weir has authored an intriguing fictional representation of "Lady" Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I). Her understanding of history provides a detailed context in which this story is placed. Since I am not a historian of the era, I cannot comment on historical accuracy per se. Nonetheless, from having read a few other works regarding the era, it does not seem too far off the mark.

The story depicts Elizabeth, bastard daughter of Henry VIII, as a survivor. Her early life often placed her in situations where she was at risk (this era featured quite a bit of killing of nobles/pretenders to the throne/etc.). The tale begins with Elizabeth as a child and traces her life up to the death of her sister, Queen Mary (also designated as a bastard by Henry VIII, daughter of Katherine of Aragon). Eli9zabeth is the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who has been beheaded (probably under trumped up charges). Obviously, that places her at some disadvantage!

The story focuses on Elizabeth's early life. She is shown to be very intelligent, very mature (the modern concept of childhood was not a part of the culture then). The story traces the trajectory of her life nicely--from the impact of friends, relatives, and powerful figures). She was often the pawn of power struggles involving others.

Her relationship with her father and sister and younger brother (later, Edward VI) is nicely told. The relationships among Henry VIII's children is well drawn. There are obvious tensions between Mary (Catholic daughter of a Catholic Queen) and Elizabeth (advocate of a reformed church after Henry VIII's breakaway from the Catholic Church). The dialectic between the sisters is developed very well.

There is one very speculative element (in the discussion at the end of the book, Weir elaborates why she used this episode) based on Elizabeth's time spent with Thomas Seymour and his wife. While it is a conceivable event, it is also controversial. Some will have this, perhaps, color their view of the novel. While I am unconvinced, I felt that the episode did work and helped provide a motivation for her later life.

At any rate, this is well done historical fiction on Elizabeth I's life before she ascended to the throne. It shows her as a tough survivor, someone who strived for being sovereign without being ruthless, someone who understood the delicate context in which she lived. All in all, a pretty intriguing novel.

The Life of Elizabeth I
$17.00
This book was very interesting from an historic view, but a bit tedious and boring. A lot of jumping back and forth making it difficult to follow at times.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
$39.98
This movie has been on my to-view list for too long. So now, I broke down and rented.
Phillip II raises an army in Spain to attack the Protestant England, ruled by Elizabeth I. Elizabeth struggles to balance the Catholics and the Protestants in England, and to face off against the Spanish Armada.
The costumes, sets, and scenery are goregous, stunning. I can't tell you how often I would look at Cate Blanchett and think she was Elizabeth (in her costumes, she looks a lot like the paintings I've seen of Elizabeth I). The same goes for Samantha Morton as Mary. Absolutely stunning!
I think Cate did a fair job as Elizabeth, I enjoyed watching Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham, and Samantha Morton was excellent as Mary.
As I'm sure you could tell, I had trouble giving a plot to this story. Much of it seems to revolve around the teenaged antics of Elizabeth falling head over heels for Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who only has eyes for Bess, the Queen's attendant. While I am sure that Elizabeth wasn't the portrait of perfection that we receive from history, I got tired of the melodrama of the romantic angle (hence the title of this review). It feels like a blasted soap opera. And it interrupts the conflict between Spain and England, making that storyline almost impossible to understand.
And the pacing! So slow, so boring, so tedious! So confusing! All these events...Mary's treason, Sir Francis Walsingham intercepting messages. It might make sense if it weren't so hidden, so buried underneath the romantic triangle.
Cate Blanchett attempts to do a good job with Elizabeth and she does make the queen appear strong, but at times, she makes Elizabeth too human, whining, complaining in front of her courtiers, in front of the people she's supposed to govern, who are supposed to respect her. What kind of woman can command admiration to be called the Virgin Queen if she is angsting over Raleigh being with Bess? Clive Owen is forgettable as Raleigh, Abbie Cornish will never win an award of any kind for her "performance" as Bess, and Jordi Moll��� as the Spanish King just cements in our heads that Spain = Bad.
Lastly, historical inaccuracies abound, even to a history dunce such as myself. Wasn't Mary Elizabeth's sister, not cousin? Didn't she die before Elizabeth took the throne? Would Elizabeth really go all Eowyn on us and ride out Theoden style to meet her army? I understand that movies don't have to be historically accurate 100% of the time, but I can only suspend my disbelief so much.
Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend this movie. Perhaps history buffs might be able to glance over the inaccuracies (probably not) or maybe the uninitiated can become interested in the story (if they like romance triangles), but other than that. I don't know. But I know how I feel, and I didn't enjoy it. 2 stars for Cate Blanchett's attempts, Geoffrey Rush, and the gorgeous costumes.

Elizabeth [HD DVD]
$19.98
Excellent service, the product was in excellent shape and it came to my home in a very short time. .Elizabeth (Spotlight Series)