THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX
US, 1939, 106 minutes, Colour.
Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Donald Crisp, Vincent Price, Alan Hale, Henry Daniell.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
A spectacular costume drama made by Warner Bros in 1939. They were at their peak in making this kind of adventure: Errol Flynn’s The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Sea Hawk made at this time. Errol Flynn was at the height of his acting ability and popularity and made numerous films in these years at Warner Bros. Bette Davis with whom he had teamed in Anatole Litvak’s The Sisters the year before, was a much more respected actress and already had two Oscars for Dangerous and Jezebel.
Here she subdues her appearance for the aging Queen Elizabeth and gives a very good performance, even if it does have the familiar Davis manner. She was to recreate this role in the 1955 costume melodrama The Virgin Queen. The historical background is sketched in. Accuracy is not to the fore. Rather, it is the recreation of Elizabethan times, the portrait of Elizabeth and the melodrama associated with her liaison with the Duke of Essex. Very good period entertainment.
1. The appeal of historical dramas? The pageant of the past, comparisons with the present, insight into another world of time and place?
2. The appeal of history and audience interest? In the colour of the film, sets, music and pageant, atmosphere, way of life?
3. The quality of the script and the elaboration of the issues? How serious as historical drama was this? How much insight into Elizabeth and her world?
4. The film as a Bette Davis vehicle? Her characteristic style as incorporated into the character of Elizabeth?
5. What was the character of Elizabeth? As first seen, in shadow, regal? Her life in the Court, at the centre of intrigues, her capacities for ruling, her ways of power and administration? Her sense of heritage, her dedication to England, her not marrying? The contrast with her love of Essex, some passion in her life, its effect on her as a person, as a ruler? Scenes which indicated this best?
6. The contrast with Essex? Errol Flynn’s style, the development of his character, his exploits at Cadiz and his failure, his attitude to the intrigues of the Court? As loved by Penelope, loved by Elizabeth? Close to Elizabeth? The capacity for love?
7. The illustration of his impetuous nature, his impatience with the politicians and the courtiers, his being bluffed by their challenges. his acceptance of Ireland, the lack of communication with Elizabeth, the effect of the sieges in Ireland? His marching on London, beseeching Elizabeth, the clash? Would Elizabeth's disillusionment with him have happened without Ireland and the lack of communication?
8. The illustration of love, power, the clash of the two rulers? The final visit of Essex from the tower? What had happened between them? Why?
9. Their relationship of love and power and understanding? Essex's understanding of his own desire for power and his manoeuvring? The fact that he was tricked by Elizabeth? Her reasons for not keeping faith with him?
10. The theme of repercussions on private lives of affairs of state and public life?
11. The character of Bacon, his role at the court, advice to Elizabeth, patronage of Essex, attack on the Cecils?
12. The function of Lord Burleigh, Cecil, Walter Raleigh at court? The atmosphere of intrigue and duplicity?
13. The role of Penelope at court, close to Elizabeth. in love with Essex, allowing herself to be used, jealousy? Her revelation of the truth to Elizabeth and the risk to her life?
14. The portrayal of the way of life in England? The talk of the common people and their attitude to the Queen?
15. Ireland and its battles? The presentation of the Irish and the English dominance of them? The value and insight of this film in its time? Now?
