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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
so preposterous, it's laughable, Nov 7 2003
By A Customer
after knowing the history of not only protocol, but of the individual characters through research on Tudor England, this movie is so laughably off the mark with regards to Elizabeth's life. 1. It attempts to put forth the concept that Elizabeth was bold enough to take such a leave of not only herself, but of her place as to throw attitude on her father. Scholarship and historical research has proven that Elizabeth was a daddy's girl--she didn't make the mistake Mary did by, as David Starkey put it "nailing herself to the cross of her mother's memory". There was nothing that would have induced Elizabeth to treat with her father the way Jean Simmons' character did with King Henry in the movie. She lived for his approval and acceptance, and he was sufficiently impressed enough with her that he began her restoration and secured her succession to the throne in his will. 2. It portrayed Elizabeth as being at her father's bedside when he died. That is the furthest thing from the truth. She and Edward were told together a few days later, after Somerset's council coupe had succeeded. By the age Elizabeth was treating with Seymour, Henry had long ago spent money on dresses for her and her ladies--Mary, too--therefore, she would not have been walking around in Cinderella-like scubbing-maid's clothing. She was wearing a cap style that was still over 40 years away--in the 1540's they were still wearing French hoods. After viewing this blatant stupidity, I had to turn it off. Jean Simmons was just plain irritating to watch... Everything about this movie is vulgar to historical fact and scholarship. One day, someone will produce a believable movie on Elizabeth Tudor. To date, none has made the mark.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A Romantic Vehicle for Simmons and Granger, April 17 2002
This film, released the week of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, is a highly fictionalized account of the early life of Elizabeth I.
Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger had been married for three years at the time of this film's release. While their union would only last for seven years afterwards, this film proves that it was a very productive union while it hung together.
It begins on the eve of Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, when her governess, Catherine Ashley, played by a discreet and dignified Kaye Walsh, visits the steward, Mr. Parry, played by a booming-voiced and jovial Cecil Kellaway, to inform him that Elizabeth's half-sister, Mary, is dying, begining a long reminiscence about Mrs. Ashley's adventures in raising a royal heir.
Charles Laughton resumes the role he originally had as Henry VIII 20 years earlier in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" in this film, and he was still very much up to the challenge. He is depicted as taking delight in the birth of his daughter with Anne Boleyn, played by a convivial Elaine Stewart, when in reality, it's a well known fact that his feelings about the birth of another girl were very different.
All too soon, Elizabeth's mother is sent to the block for treason, and the red-haired toddler begins the first of many subsequent journeys to exile at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire in Mrs. Ashley's arms.
At about age six, the pouty girl, now played by Noreen Corchran, is returned to court in what becomes a tragi-comic sequence. We only hear the voice of Henry's German-born fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Sometime, thereafter, Elizabeth warms to a third step-mother, her cousin, Catherine Howard, played by a charming Dawn Addams. But Catherine's time as Elizabeth's step-mother is severed by an executioner's axe.
In reality, there was only a year's difference between the end of Henry's fith marriage and the beginning of his sixth. But by that time, embittered little Noreen Corchran grows into embittered big Jean Simmons, who initially refuses to set foot outside her room when summoned to court to meet another step-mother.
Luckily, Henry sends Stewart Granger's booming, authoritative-voiced Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour to persuade her to do otherwise.
Deborah Kerr was well-chosen for the part of Catherine Parr, as she resembles a painting of Henry VIII's last Queen. Her sweet motherly mannerisms appeal to Elizabeth, and despite certain naysayings by her impish half brother, Prince Edward, played by a stately but still boyish Rex Thompson, who, like Jean Simmons, might have dyed his hair red for the part for the sake of authenticity, Elizabeth and the Queen become great friends.
On an outing at sea, the scenario that could have gotten Catherine Parr charged with treason is touched upon, and we are introduced to Tom Seymour's brother Ned, played by a petty and conniving Guy Rolf. In his scene, and the next one in which Henry is on his deathbed, Elizabeth asserts herself in ways that take her distant father aback.
With Mrs. Ashley's guidance, the young princess must steer her way through the political intrigues of the day, and deal with her growing feelings for the Admiral. Sadly, she watches as Tom Seymour and Catherine Parr marry, a union in which she is instrumental in helping cement. Ned Seymour's venomous natures grows rapidly after he usurps the role of the Lord Protector, which ultimately leads to his brother's downfall. Stewart Granger is fun to watch in the role of a doting uncle to the little King.
One accuracy of the film is the inclusion of the page, Barnaby Fitzpatrick, to whom Robert Arthur gives a smitten adolescent nature. Barnaby watches as Elizabeth blossoms, especially the night of a ball hosted for a Danish envoy. The Danske dance was especially delightful.
When Tom can no longer contain his feelings for his young ward, Bess is sent away, and Catherine dies sometime afterwards.
While the film is sympathetic to the romance of the Admiral and the future Queen, by today's standards, Tom Seymour might be deemed a pervert who was worthy of the end to which he came.
However, Elizabeth is offered one final moment of gallantry at her trial. One feels such intensity as well as triumph when she horsewhips the Lord Protector. Watch for Kathleen Byron,who in recent years played Private Ryan's wife, as Ann Seymour.
In the grand style of MGM movies of the 50s, viewers are rewarded with marvelous sets and scenes and beautiful, albeit often re-used costumes, which, like some of the sets, can be seen in other MGM films of the era.
Miklos Roska's score is regal and inspiring, and the overall production of this film, dazzling. If one can overlook historical
inaccuries, this film is ultimately a grand piece of cinema that is still highly entertaining.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Great journey into the past, Oct 15 2001
This is an entertaining movie and not a documentary. So, why not show "how it could have happened". This is what makes history interesting and exciting. The story is very well written, the actors are superb. And there is this sparkling chemistry between Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr I miss so badly in modern movies. This is GOOD OLD HOLLYWOOD (even it is mostly british). I hope that in the near future somebody produces a good DVD!! This movie is one of my all time favorites!!
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