OTHER INTERPRETATIONS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH- FILM AND TV

Over the decades like many icons Queen Elizabeth has been portrayed many times by many famous actresses. It really shows how she is one of histories most remembered Queens. Each film portrays Elizabeth in a different way, all similar but a lot of details influenced by their own era. Its interesting to see the journey of the look developing through the years...



Mary of Scotland (1936)

'Mary (Katharine Hepburn), by assuming her throne as Queen of Scotland, strikes terror into the heart of Queen Elizabeth I (Florence Eldridge). After languishing in jail for 18 years at Elizabeth's command, Mary is offered a pardon if she will sign away her throne.' Wikipedia- Mary of Scotland (film) 

 It is hard to see how the makeup looks in the film as it is in black and white, although you can still see a change from no makeup to a really harsh hairline towards the end and thick caked makeup. I like the way the eyebrows are still visible yet only a thin line which has been influenced from the era the film was made.  

The Virgin Queen (1955)


'Sir Walter Raleigh overcomes court intrigue to win favor with the Queen in order to get financing for a proposed voyage to the New World.' IMDb 

Bette Davis plays Queen Elizabeth in the film that focuses on the relationship between Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh. I think this is one of the first films that shows the true dramatic look of the Queen with the huge forehead and pasty makeup. It is also one of the first colour films portraying her which means you can see the makeup a lot better including the bright red lips and ghostly white skin.



Elizabeth R (1971)


'When Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisers know she has to marry. Doesn't she? Thus starts a decades-long political/ matrimonial game, during an age of high passions and high achievement.' IMDb 
Elizabeth R was a TV Drama Series that showed the Queens transformation in the most dramatic form. The makeup that was portrayed towards the end looked almost clown like, a bald cap was also used to make the hair look as far back as possible. I think the tv series showed the change really well and showed how extreme it really was.












Shakespeare in Love (1998)
'A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.' IMDb

Shakespeare in love starring Judi Dench as Elizabeth is a story of her being involved in a romantic tail of Shakespeare falling in love. The makeup is portrayed very well showing she is trying to hide her age. The heart shape wig is also very accurate along with the elaborate costumes and jewelry.




The Virgin Queen (2005)

'The Virgin Queen explores the full sweep of Elizabeth's life: from her days of fear as a potential victim of her sister's terror; through her great love affair with Robert Dudley; into her years of triumph over the Armada; and finally her old age and her last, enigmatic relationship with her young protégé, the Earl of Essex.' IMBd 
Anne-Marie Duff played Elizabeth in this adaptation of Elizabeth's life. The film covers all major ages - from her innocent teenage years to her older years as Queen. This is the perfect film to show her transformation and how much she changes through the main stages in her life. The makeup and hair differs from other films, she has strawberry blonde hair instead of fiery red.