The film Elizabeth is an historical study, but it is also a deep character study of one of the most influential women in history. Because the film deals with a wide range of issues which face the character: from love-affairs, marriage proposals, and political intrigues as well as war adn religion, it is possible to grasp a sense of the "wholeness" of Elizabeth's character as it is represented in the movie.Of course, there are studies and reviews of the film which claim to demonstrate where the film diverges from historical fact; more important than the film's specific depiction of a particular historical time and place is its faithful inquiry into the mind, emotions, and personality of the title-character. The image of Elizabeth which emerges from the film is one of a leader.
It is the portrayal of a person to whom leadership is destiny.The film concentrates on the early years Of Elizabeth's reign and because during these years, Elizabeth was most active as a leader confronting a multitude of profound cultural, religious, and political challenges. To begin with, her position relative to Catholicism had caused her to become excommunicated, and as a response, Elizabeth offered the "Elizabeth Settlement" which extended the Church of England in her favor.Elizabeth's defiance of Catholicism indicates her leadership capacities because she rejected the Catholic faith but took an active role in forwarding her own power-base, in the face of excommunication.
Rather than capitulate to her detractors or capitulate in the name of England, Elizabeth forwarded her own "Settlement. " In addition to her conflict with political and religious issues, Elizabeth faced a series of marriage proposals: from her long-time (already married) friend, Robert Dudley, from Philip, the King of Spain, and from a French Duke who, in the film, is seen as a transvestite.The delicate balance of power between her personal and political life meant that if Elizabeth accepted any marriage proposal she would have to give over the reign of England to another -- who would become King. Instead, Elizabeth clings to power by rebuffing all of her suitors and demonstrates, again, that for her leadership adn destiny are one and the same.
The image of Elizabeth as a capable leader is reinforced by historical record, but the film is able to dramatize the events and the internal response of the character, Elizabeth, to the events which shaped her as a leader.While she demonstrates a pleasing and compassionate disposition in the film, the fact of her responsibilities as ruler exerted a "hardening" impact on Elizabeth (as portrayed in the film) which can be largely viewed as the result of her interaction with predatory men who -- with her as an exception -- held exclusive power in medieval Europe. The film succeeded in dramatizing a character I could belive in adn believe in te circumstances which shaped her character and her career as a leader.The historical Elizabeth is widely acknowledged to have been very educated, capable, confident, and able to summon tremendous amounts of energy adn resolution to face crises which came to her and to England during her reign. while it is almost impossible for many modern observers to imagine, the historical Elizabeth was probably even more heroic and more accomplished than the portrayal of her in the film.
As it stands, the movie Elizabeth is a convincing and moving examination of a fascinating female character who demonstrated both strength and leadership as she navigated the hostile and predatory world of medieval politics in Europe.
