The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cranky old queen and a hot-shot soldier have a dramatic love affair, until she realizes he’s kind of a jerk and lops off his head.

🍿 The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Return of Essex

Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, returns to London a celebrated hero after his successful campaign against the Spanish at Cadiz. His military prowess and charismatic personality quickly capture the attention of Queen Elizabeth I. Despite the significant age difference, a complex and passionate relationship begins to develop between them. Elizabeth is both drawn to Essex’s vitality and wary of his growing influence.

A Doomed Campaign in Ireland

Concerned about Essex’s ambition and fearing his potential challenge to her throne, Elizabeth sends him to Ireland to quell a rebellion led by the Earl of Tyrone. This mission proves to be disastrous for Essex and his troops. His military strategies are flawed, and the campaign ultimately fails, damaging his reputation and weakening his position at court. This sets the stage for his downfall.

Essex’s Rebellion and Downfall

Upon his return to London, a disgraced Essex, fueled by pride and encouraged by those seeking to undermine Elizabeth, attempts a rebellion. He demands to share the throne, believing he has the support of the people. However, his rebellion is quickly suppressed. Elizabeth, feeling betrayed and recognizing the threat he poses to the stability of England, is forced to make a difficult decision to protect her reign.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Queen Elizabeth (Bette Davis): The aging Queen of England struggles to balance her love for Essex with her duty to the throne.
• Earl of Essex (Errol Flynn): A dashing and ambitious nobleman who seeks both the Queen’s love and the English throne.
• Lady Penelope Gray (Olivia de Havilland): A lady-in-waiting at court, whose unrequited love for Essex fuels her jealousy of the Queen.
• Francis Bacon (Donald Crisp): A shrewd advisor in Elizabeth’s court, he navigates the political landscape with caution.
• Sir Walter Raleigh (Vincent Price): A cunning courtier who schemes against Essex to gain favor with Queen Elizabeth.
• Sir Robert Cecil (Henry Daniell): A calculating and influential advisor who is a rival of Essex for the Queen’s attention and power.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Queen Elizabeth I: “To be a Queen is to be less than human, to put pride before desire…” – Elizabeth explains the sacrifices she makes as a monarch to Mistress Margaret Radcliffe.
• Queen Elizabeth I: “And when he takes you in his arms again, thank heaven you are not a queen.” – Said to Mistress Margaret Radcliffe, expressing the burdens of the throne.
• Queen Elizabeth I: “There is another love, greater than the one I have for you – England.” – Elizabeth declares her loyalty to her country over her personal feelings for Essex.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.075M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Bette Davis in this movie. She completely embodied Queen Elizabeth, and I was captivated by her performance. The costumes and sets were stunning, and even though I knew the history, I was still on the edge of my seat during the climax. The scene where Elizabeth confronts Essex about his ambitions gave me chills – Davis’s eyes were so intense! The romantic elements, although fictionalized, really worked for me. Seeing their interactions made me feel all sorts of emotions. Definitely a film I will watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Bette Davis enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in classic Hollywood productions”
  • “Audiences who enjoy stories about powerful women”
  • “Lovers of tragic romances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Political intrigue”
  • “Violence (execution scene)”
  • “Brief battle sequences”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “Bette Davis shines as Queen Elizabeth, capturing the essence of a powerful yet vulnerable monarch. Flynn, though initially doubted, delivers a convincing performance as the ambitious Earl of Essex, making their tumultuous relationship captivating.
• Variety: “While the historical accuracy is questionable, ‘The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex’ succeeds as a grand romantic drama. Davis dominates the screen, and the lavish production design transports viewers to Elizabethan England.
• New York Times: “Bette Davis carries the film with her portrayal of the aging Queen Elizabeth. The chemistry between the leads can be lacking at times, the movie is well made and engaging.

Audience Reactions

Bette Davis’s mesmerizing performance as Queen Elizabeth is unforgettable.: Viewers consistently praise Davis’s acting, finding her portrayal of the queen both powerful and vulnerable.

The rich costumes and sets make the film a visual treat.: The lavish production design effectively transports audiences back to Elizabethan England.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning historical drama elevated by Bette Davis’s powerful performance as Queen Elizabeth, though historical accuracy is loosely interpreted.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1939
2. Academy Award (Best Art Direction)- 1939

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Bette Davis campaigned hard for the role of Queen Elizabeth I and wanted Laurence Olivier to play Essex, believing Errol Flynn lacked the acting skills for the part. She later admitted she was wrong about Flynn’s performance.”
• “To more convincingly portray the older Queen Elizabeth I, Bette Davis shaved off her eyebrows and part of her hairline.”
• “The Warner Brothers shield in the opening credits is in the form of an English coat of arms, a design also used in Errol Flynn’s previous film, ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood.'”

🖥️ How to Watch The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability as options may change over time. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, you might like these similar films:

• The Sea Hawk (1940): Another swashbuckling adventure starring Errol Flynn, also directed by Michael Curtiz, featuring naval battles and political intrigue during the Elizabethan era.
• Elizabeth (1998): A more modern and gritty portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I’s early reign, focusing on political challenges and personal sacrifices.
• Mary Queen of Scots (2018): Explores the complex relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, highlighting themes of power, ambition, and betrayal.

🛒 The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Related Products

• Elizabeth: The Golden Age [Blu-ray]: A newer, cinematic take on the Queen Elizabeth story.
• Queen Elizabeth I: A Captivating Guide to the Life of England’s Most Famous Queen: Explore the historical context and events that shaped Elizabeth I’s reign.
• Funko Pop! History: Queen Elizabeth I: A stylized vinyl figure of Queen Elizabeth I, a fun and collectible item for fans of the era.
• The Sea Hawk [Blu-ray]: Another Errol Flynn swashbuckler.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold
• “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (Come Live With Me and Be My Love)” – performed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Bette Davis 👑 THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX from STEVE HAYES

Ever wondered what Bette Davis *really* thought of Errol Flynn? This review dives into the behind-the-scenes drama and offers a fresh perspective on their on-screen chemistry. It’s a fun watch!

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