The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) :
Brief Review -
Great love torn between a queen's duties and a man's pride. This may be a fictionalised account of Elizabeth and Essex's lives, but master Michael Curtiz has made sure that you can't hate it. It's portrayed as a great love story and a tragic love story, and you can feel both of them, truly and from the bottom of your heart. Bette Davis plays Queen Elizabeth, who truly loves Essex (played by Errol Flynn), the man with pride and courage. Everyone in the kingdom and the court knows that Elizabeth fancies Essex, and that's why she has to be harsh on him. Well, it hurts the man's ego, and they quarrel frequently. The other desperate people in the court try to take advantage of the queen's love and the man's pride to keep them apart, and they even plan some conspiracies that make the quarrel even more serious. Essex and Elizabeth both know that their duties are above their love, and had it not been for the posts they wear, they would have made a great couple. Curtiz keeps you hooked with this engaging love story, which is trying to tackle and play with every trick and conflict. Moreover, the conversations between them escalate your interest in the film. Bette Davis plays an unconventional queen with that odd makeup and all, but dare anyone speak of her acting? She is phenomenal here. Curtiz brought his favourite Olivia De Havilland, but Davis overshadowed her despite that "I am old" concern. Errol has done a fab job in the leading role. He is the man I bow down to. No silly notions about love, just the simple pride that you cannot hate. The supporting cast, including most of the negative characters, looked fine. Michael Curtiz has made me fall in love with the film, which belongs to a genre that I hate the most: romance. How? You see for yourself. Don't miss it.
RATING - 7/10*
By - samthebestest.
Great love torn between a queen's duties and a man's pride. This may be a fictionalised account of Elizabeth and Essex's lives, but master Michael Curtiz has made sure that you can't hate it. It's portrayed as a great love story and a tragic love story, and you can feel both of them, truly and from the bottom of your heart. Bette Davis plays Queen Elizabeth, who truly loves Essex (played by Errol Flynn), the man with pride and courage. Everyone in the kingdom and the court knows that Elizabeth fancies Essex, and that's why she has to be harsh on him. Well, it hurts the man's ego, and they quarrel frequently. The other desperate people in the court try to take advantage of the queen's love and the man's pride to keep them apart, and they even plan some conspiracies that make the quarrel even more serious. Essex and Elizabeth both know that their duties are above their love, and had it not been for the posts they wear, they would have made a great couple. Curtiz keeps you hooked with this engaging love story, which is trying to tackle and play with every trick and conflict. Moreover, the conversations between them escalate your interest in the film. Bette Davis plays an unconventional queen with that odd makeup and all, but dare anyone speak of her acting? She is phenomenal here. Curtiz brought his favourite Olivia De Havilland, but Davis overshadowed her despite that "I am old" concern. Errol has done a fab job in the leading role. He is the man I bow down to. No silly notions about love, just the simple pride that you cannot hate. The supporting cast, including most of the negative characters, looked fine. Michael Curtiz has made me fall in love with the film, which belongs to a genre that I hate the most: romance. How? You see for yourself. Don't miss it.
RATING - 7/10*
By - samthebestest.