Good Queen Bess....somewhat unhinged...

Ever since Helen Mirren's Elizabeth was released I have been very keen to see it....so discovering it was on the Hallmark channel on Monday and Tuesday this week I made sure I was home to watch it.....

Having watched it, I am quite disappointed....don't get me wrong...the acting is first rate, the costumes are excellent, and the script is outstanding.....however, my beef is with the historical liberties the film takes...

Helen Mirren looks too old for the part of Elizabeth at the beginning of the movie, but obviously it works better towards the end of the movie...

Jeremy Irons looks the part of Leicester, but his voice is too well bred compared to the Queen’s voice.

The Queen's behaviour with Leicester is too free, Elizabeth was too clever to behave that loosely and that affectionately with him in public and to give him that much power over the rest of her cabinet. Double that statement for her behaviour with his son Essex...Elizabeth knew too much hinged on her behaviour around men to simper and throw spoilt tantrums about her 'favourite'

Elizabeth never met Mary, Queen of Scots, speaking of Elizabeth's northern cousin....an odd choice to make Mary so 'unattractive'....especially as general comment at that time was that Mary was more beautiful than Elizabeth.....

And this Elizabeth was apparently not fond of Walsingham...when historical evidence is to the contrary...

Other than all the above.....it was not a wasted four hours....but I doubt I'll be buying the DVD, in no way does it match the last film about Elizabeth....now that is an excellent movie...on all counts (although it also has some factual errors)