The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

1939

DramaHistoryRomance

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

"Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom."

Rating

6.267
86 votes

Popularity

0.6787

Origin & Countries

US | en | United States of America

Production

Warner Bros. Pictures

Runtime

106 min.

Status

Released

Release: 11/11/1939

Credits

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Michael CurtizDirector

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Bette DavisQueen Elizabeth

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Errol FlynnThe Earl of Essex

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Olivia de HavillandLady Penelope Gray

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Donald CrispFrancis Bacon

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Reviews

CinemaSerf

6/22/2022

8 / 10

Bette Davis; Errol Flynn some swash, buckle and a rousing Korngold score - what more could you want? This is a sumptuous costume drama based on the real life story of an elderly Queen Elizabeth's infatuation with the much younger and more reckless Earl of Essex. There is an engaging chemistry between them - though the script does rather drag at times; and the usual suspects in support - including Olivia de Havilland; Henry Stephenson, Henry Daniell & Donald Crisp keep the whole thing moving along nicely. This is also the first film in which I actually recall Vincent Price having a more substantial part in, too. Lots of theatrical licence taken with the actual turn of events, but hey - it is all good fun...

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