The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.

Errol Flynn Bette Davis Olivia de Havilland Donald Crisp Alan Hale Vincent Price Henry Stephenson Henry Daniell James Stephenson Nanette Fabray Ralph Forbes Robert Warwick Leo G. Carroll

romance drama

106 mins   More details at IMDb / TMDb

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  • Jericho Slim

    Review by Jericho Slim ★★★

    Bette Davis has to carry this fairly standard period piece from Michael Curtiz. She does so quite nicely, especially in the moments where she drops her stern demeanor and allows herself to smile.

    Curtiz does a pretty good job with the overly sentimental script. I especially like the way he shoots Davis bluntly head-on when she's at her most stern and unforgiving, and saves the profile shots for when she shows emotion, or when her position of superiority is challenged.

    Errol Flynn gives it the old college try, but he just can't match up. And, believe it or not, a young Vincent Price has a supporting role as Sir Walter Raleigh.

  • Andy Aldridge

    Review by Andy Aldridge ★★½

    2011-09-30: TV: 5/10 slow and stiff - Bette Davis does her best to salvage it but ultimately it's a yawn