Synopsis

After the death of Mary I, Elizabeth Tudor ascends the English throne amid religious conflict, political conspiracies, and pressure to marry. Surrounded by ambitious nobles and threatened by enemies at home and abroad, the inexperienced queen gradually learns to wield power. Her personal attachment to Robert Dudley complicates her political judgment as she fights to secure her crown and define her rule.

Factoids & Trivia

• Cate Blanchett was cast after Shekhar Kapur saw a trailer for Oscar and Lucinda. Emily Watson had reportedly been the original choice for Elizabeth but declined the role.

• The coronation sequence was designed with reference to Elizabeth I's coronation portrait. The composition and costume echo the surviving image, which is attributed to the studio of Nicholas Hilliard.

• Durham Cathedral supplied many of the palace interiors. Its distinctive nave columns can be recognized in several scenes.

• Principal photography took place from September 2, 1997, to December 2, 1997.

• The film takes substantial historical liberties, compressing events from different periods of Elizabeth's reign into the early years of her rule. It also reworks the relationships among Elizabeth, Robert Dudley, William Cecil, and Francis Walsingham for dramatic effect.

• Elizabeth received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress, and won for Makeup. It also earned twelve BAFTA nominations and won five awards, including Outstanding British Film, Leading Actress, Cinematography, Makeup and Hair, and Original Film Music.

• Blanchett won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for the role.

• A sequel, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, was released in 2007 and continued the story during the later part of Elizabeth's reign.