| | | Woman. Warrior. Queen.
Features: DVD, English, Spanish, French, Dolby, Dolby Digital (5.1)
Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush join Academy Award nominee Clive Owen in a gripping historical thriller full of suspense, intrigue and adventure!When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd advisor must act to safeguard to the lives of her people. But when a dashing seafarer, Walter Raleigh, captures her heart, she is forced to make her most tragic sacrifice for the good of her country. Elizabeth: The Golden Age tells the thrilling tale of one woman's crusade to control her love, destroy her enemies and secure her position as a beloved icon of the western world.
"...Blanchett returns to the role that made her a star, and...this sequel to "Elizabeth" (1998) is...just as entertaining." J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader
"An enticingly risque saga of the 16th century monarch." Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
Editor's Note
Nearly a decade after Cate Blanchett drew the attention of audiences and critics alike with ELIZABETH, the Oscar-winning actress returns to the role of the Virgin Queen. Though the protestant ruler has been on the throne for decades in 1585, Elizabeth I's reign is still under attack from both inside her country and from the continent. Her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton), carries the favor of the nation's Catholics as she schemes for the throne from prison, while Spain's King Philip II (Jordi Molla) plots an invasion with the power of his famous armada. But Elizabeth is also concerned with the arrival of Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), a charming pirate and adventurer. Unable to reconcile her feelings with her crown, she encourages Bess (Abbie Cornish), her beloved lady-in-waiting, to pursue a relationship with Raleigh. Nine years haven't dulled Blanchett's ability to play this--or any other--character with an impressive range of fire and tenderness. Her chemistry with the infinitely watchable Owen is one of the film's highlights. As in ELIZABETH, director Shekhar Kapur doesn't restrict himself from using artfully constructed shots that aren't normally used in period dramas. It's a modern retelling of history, and Kapur and his director of photograpy, Remi Adefarasin, aren't content to let the film have the standard look of many films in the genre. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne follows the same logic, creating stunning dresses for Elizabeth that draw inspiration both from modernity and the time period. If Blanchett weren't such a gifted actress, the gorgeous costumes might threaten to overtake her as the star of the film.
| Features | Audio Commentary With Director Shekhar Kapur | | Audio: English, French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Deleted Scenes | | Dubbed: French | | Featurettes: The Reign Continues - Making Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Inside Elizabeth's World, Commanding The Winds - Creating The Armada, & Towers, Courts & Cathedrals | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Universal |
| Release Date: 1/6/2009 |
| Running Time: 115 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2007 | | Catalog ID: 6103332 | | UPC: 00025193333223 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew | Cate Blanchett | | Clive Owen | | Geoffrey Rush | | Rhys Ifans | | A.R. Rahman - Original Music By | | Christian Huband, et. al. - Art Director | | Craig Armstrong - Original Music By | | Guy Dyas - Production Designer | | Jill Bilcock - Editor | | Michael Hirst - Writer | | Michael Hirst - Executive Producer | | Remi Adefarasin - Cinematographer | | Shekhar Kapur - Director | | Tim Bevan - Producer | | William Nicholson - Writer |
| Awards |
Nominee (2008) | | | Golden Globe, Cate Blanchett, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama |
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| | Professional Reviews | Box Office
"Like the first film, ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE boasts strong acting and handsome decor....Blanchett's Elizabeth remains a commanding presence..." 11/01/2007 p.110Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "Blanchett is peerless throughout, perfectly combining public poise with private doubt..." 11/01/2007 p.62 Empire
3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t is in the intimate moments that the film finds its heart....Cate Blanchett again excels..." 10/19/2007 p.62 Sight and Sound
"[With] wonderfully detailed and vivid production and some excellent performances....[Blanchett] brings depth and subtlety to the role." 12/01/2007 p.60 Uncut
"[With] the ever-brilliant Cate Blanchett....Gorgeous moments and a fine script..." 04/01/2008 p.126 ReelViews 7 of 10
Elizabeth: The Golden Age lacks the intricate plotting that characterized its predecessor. The screenplay is more action-oriented but not as smart, and some of the dialogue is downright cheesy. Many of those involved in the first Elizabeth have returned, including actors Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush; director Kapur; screenwriter Michael Hirst; and cinematographer Remi Aderfarasin. For the most part, Elizabeth: The Golden Age feels like what it's supposed to be - a continuation of the story begun in the 1998 feature. If it lacks the power and grandeur of the first chapter...well, sequels almost always show a fall-off, and here at least the drop isn't precipitous...Blanchett is the film's chief asset, picking up where she left off nearly ten years ago. This isn't the star-making turn it was at that time, but it's solid, colorful work. Geoffrey Rush has less to do and, as a result, is a less forceful presence. Clive Owen is suitably dashing and Abbie Cornish is adorable, but neither draws the camera's attention with regularity. Although the performances are all workmanlike, they are unlikely to garner much notice when it comes time for Oscar nominations to be announced. - James Berardinelli
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