ELIZABETH I {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Part one in this two-part miniseries about the later years of Queen Elizabeth I. The program beings in 1579 at Whitehall Palace in London. Elizabeth, having been on the throne for twenty years without marrying, has created the threat of a civil war amongst those competing to seize the throne. A doctor finds that Elizabeth is still capable of bearing children and plans are considered for her to marry the Duke of Anjou. The Earl of Leicester meets with Elizabeth, who claims that she will not marry and that they can still have each other. The Earl of Leicester says that he doesn't trust the French duke and that he is worried about Elizabeth giving birth at her age. Later, Lord Burghley chastises Elizabeth for continuing to refuse all suitors. Burghley encourages her to unite with Anjou in order to help England's cause against Spain. Then, while walking outside, Elizabeth is threatened by a knife-wielding man, though the Earl of Leicester saves her. That night, Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester reflect on both having been imprisoned in the tower by "Bloody Mary." Then, Elizabeth reveals that she could never marry him since he is not royalty. Meanwhile, the would-be assassin is tortured on the rack and grilled as to what country dispatched him. The next morning, Elizabeth tells the Earl of Leicester that the assassination attempt has convinced her to marry Anjou. Then, Lady Essex arrives in the wake of her husband's death, presenting her young son, who is now the title-holder. Lady Essex fears that Elizabeth knows about her secret relationship with the Earl of Leicester. Later, Sir Francis Walsingham tells Elizabeth that Mary Queen of Scots was most likely responsible for the aborted assassination. Later, Anjou's convoy -- sans the Duke -- arrives to present Elizabeth with jewels. He reveals that Anjou refuses to convert to Protestantism, while also saying that they do not believe that Elizabeth is fit to become a Catholic. That afternoon, Elizabeth wonders when Anjou will arrive, eventually learning that Anjou is in fact on her barge, but in disguise. Elizabeth attempts to guess which man is Anjou, and is pleased with the result. Meanwhile, the Earl of Leicester goes searching for Elizabeth, upset to learn that she is alone with Anjou. That evening, the Earl of Leicester speaks with Elizabeth, who claims she is not "bound" to him. He argues against the marriage, while also asking what will become of him if the union takes place. That night at a party, Anjou watches secretly from behind a latticed panel as the Earl of Leicester and Elizabeth dance. Later, Lady Essex informs the Earl of Leicester that she is pregnant with his child. Then, Elizabeth formally presents Anjou to the English court but he is icily welcomed. The next day, the Earl of Leicester debates with Walsingham and Burghley about forming an alliance with Anjou and France, and why it may not be a wise move. Later, Elizabeth tells Anjou that she feels something for him despite the fact that her people dislike him. Then, the Earl of Leicester storms into the room, presenting Elizabeth with a pamphlet from an anonymous writer detailing the problems of her potential union. Elizabeth finds the writing an insult, and is furious at the Earl of Leicester for having presented it. Eventually, the man accused of writing the paper, Stubbs, has his hand publicly severed in punishment. Stubbs claims he only wrote the paper because of his love for Elizabeth. Afterward, Elizabeth is upset when she learns that the Earl of Leicester is actually married to Lady Essex and bans him from court. Eventually, a saddened Elizabeth bids farewell to Anjou after growing dissension over their religious differences prevents the marriage. Seven years later, Elizabeth returns to London, where the English people warmly greet her. Walsingham subsequently informs her that the pope has excommunicated her and encouraged Catholics to kill her so that a Catholic may take the English throne. Elizabeth is determined to strike back. Later, Walsingham tries to get Gifford, the man who once attempted to assassinate Elizabeth, to reveal the details of Mary's conspiracy. Then, Gifford goes to see Sir Anthony Babington, who reveals that he has the pope's authority to assassinate Elizabeth and release Mary from prison to inherit the throne. After hearing that Anjou has died, Elizabeth is told of the possible plot involving Babington. Elizabeth reveals that she has recalled the Earl of Leicester, needing his counsel. Upon his return, Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester both reveal their feelings for each other. The Earl of Leicester also notes that his young son died. Then, Elizabeth speculates what will happen if she kills Mary. Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester arrange to visit Mary in prison. With the meeting kept in complete secrecy, Elizabeth tells Mary that she is the only one preventing Mary from destruction. Elizabeth also taunts Mary about the allegiance of her son, James VI, to England, after which Mary agrees to a truce. Then, the Earl of Leicester joins the Earl of Essex to fight alongside the Dutch in their battle against Spain's Duke of Parma. Later, Elizabeth learns that a spy has intercepted a message from Mary to Babington in which Mary is still conspiring against the queen. Elizabeth further learns that Walsingham's spy is a "turned" Gifford and wonders why she shouldn't hang him. Instead, she has Babington and his cronies publicly eviscerated. Later, Elizabeth agrees to the counsel's demand that Mary be brought to trial. Mary is judged guilty but Elizabeth refuses to pass a sentence upon her. The Earl of Leicester soon returns, noting that things did not go well for England and that he was a "fireside general" just as Elizabeth had predicted. The Earl of Leicester also claims that Mary must die and Elizabeth reluctantly signs the warrant, which she cautions should not yet be given to the counsel. However, the Earl of Leicester tells the counsel that Elizabeth's actions are her manner of killing Mary without officially sanctioning the death, after which the counsel puts the writ in action. With Elizabeth wishing to distance herself, the Earl of Leicester is forced to be the official witness at Mary's execution, which is poorly handled. Afterward, Elizabeth is angered to hear that she "ordered" the death of Mary. Furious, Elizabeth searches out the Earl of Leicester, wondering why he didn't stop the killing. Elizabeth also worries that Philip of Spain will move to avenge Mary's death. Later, the Spanish ambassador, Don Bernadino de Mendoza, tells the Earl of Leicester that Elizabeth is a heretic and that soon England will have a new queen. Then, the Earl of Essex meets with Elizabeth, who tells the young man that he is "clumsy" in the way he bows. Robert Cecil, son of Lord Burghley, also returns to court. Later, Elizabeth announces that the Earl of Leicester will be in charge of land forces in taking on the Duke of Parma and Sir Francis Drake will head the battle against the Spanish Armada. Before England's army leaves, Elizabeth offers some words to the army as she accompanies her men to the sea. Meanwhile, the Earl of Leicester struggles with a stomach illness. Later, a ship is reported to approach, but it ends up being one of England's, signifying victory on the battlefront. While the army celebrates, the Earl of Leicester collapses. Later, in bed, a weakened Earl of Leicester begs Elizabeth not to weep for him. Before dying, he calls the Earl of Essex into the room, telling him to take care of Elizabeth. Finally, Elizabeth pays public tribute to the Earl of Leicester and his service to England.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: April 22, 2006 Saturday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:49:24
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:88661
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Monarchy - Great Britain
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 2006
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Suzan Harrison … Executive Producer
- George Faber … Executive Producer
- Charles Pattinson … Executive Producer
- Nigel Williams … Executive Producer
- Barney Reisz … Producer
- Gary Tuck … Line Producer
- Tom Hooper … Director
- Nigel Williams … Writer
- Rob Lane … Music by
- Jane Gibson … Choreographer
- Helen Mirren … Cast, Elizabeth I
- Jeremy Irons … Cast, Earl of Leicester
- Patrick Malahide … Cast, Sir Francis Walsingham
- Toby Jones … Cast, Robert Cecil
- Hugh Dancy … Cast, Earl of Essex
- Barbara Flynn … Cast, Mary Queen of Scots
- Ian McDiarmid … Cast, Lord Burghley
- Jeremie Covillault … Cast, Duke of Anjou
- Erick Deshors … Cast, Jean de Simier
- Simon Woods … Cast, Gifford
- Diana Kent … Cast, Lady Essex
- Toby Salaman … Cast, Dr. Lopez
- Geoffrey Streatfield … Cast, Sir Anthony Babington
- John McEnery … Cast, Jesuit Priest
- Martin Savage … Cast, Stubbs
- David Delve … Cast, Sir Francis Drake
- Martin Marquez … Cast, Don Bernadino de Mendoza
- Charles Millham … Cast, Priest
- Ann Firbank … Cast, Lady Anne
- Mykolas Dorofejus … Cast, Davison
- Rimantas Bagdzevicius … Cast, Howard of Effingham
- Remigijus Bilinskas … Cast, Man with Pitchfork
- Arvydas Dapsys … Cast, MP
- Geoffrey T. Bersey … Cast, Hatton