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| Elizabeth R (3 Disc Box Set) [1971] | ![Elizabeth R (3 Disc Box Set) [1971]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41038NAFA4L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: Claude Whatham, Herbert Wise
Actors: Glenda Jackson, Robert Hardy, Ronald Hines, Vivian Pickles, Daphne Slater
Studio: 2 Entertain Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £29.99
Buy New: £22.98
You Save: £7.01 (23%)
New (7) from £20.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 1896
Format: Colour, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Running Time: 522 minutes
Number Of Items: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.5 x 0.9
EAN: 5014138303518
ASIN: B000E6D1KQ
Theatrical Release Date: 1971
Release Date: March 20, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
TV at its Best! March 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Made some decades ago, and long before Ms Jackson's career in politics got underway, this set has the true power of good TV. The costumes are magnificent, the dialogue spectacular and exceptionally well delivered and each 'playlet' masterfully conveys the key historical issues, intrigue and conspiracy. Ms Jackson truly IS Elizabeth R and the sets, made for TV, add to, rather than detract from, the drama by their plainness. Anyone who wants a brief introduction into the life, times and reign of our greatest monarch should definitely watch this- they just don't make them like this anymore, sacrificing great acting for splendid scenery instead.
One of the greatest interpretations of Elizabeth I August 20, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
`Elizabeth R' starring Glenda Jackson as the infamous monarch, is an excellent drama on the reign of Elizabeth I.
The production appears to begin where the other BBC drama `The Six Wives of Henry VIII' left off. As such we are able to see Elizabeth's life prior to her reign. We witness the several intrigues that she was sucked into, including the mischievous activities of her step-father Thomas Seymour, whose behaviour towards her was anything but fatherly, and later her possible involvement in Wyatt's rebellion resulting in her spending time in the Tower.
Glenda Jackson is fantastic as Elizabeth and is easily one of the best actresses ever to have played her. In the first episode she appears slightly old to be playing a teenage Elizabeth (or even one in her early twenties), but as the production goes on she excels more and more. She is able to play a dignified and tempestuous Elizabeth without going overboard on either glorifying her or portraying her as too stormy.
Casting on the whole is fantastic; Vivian Pickles is great as Mary Queen of Scots. Perhaps the worst casting is that of Elizabeth's favourite Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. He is neither handsome nor intriguing as Dudley was reputed to be, so it is hard to understand why Elizabeth admires him in this. However his storyline, like most of all the other characters is dealt with well and it is interesting to see the inclusion of his first wife Amy Robsart and her mysterious death.
The production was made in the 1970s and this is very evident. The scenery is not as great as in recent productions on this period, however the script is excellent and the costumes impressive for a TV drama. And it is great to witness some of the embarrassing haircuts that some of the actors have (particularly the guy who plays Sir Anthony Babington who appears to have an awful perm!)
Overall `Elizabeth R' is a superb account of the reign of Elizabeth I and includes many accurate details. It does not attempt to oversimplify the Mary Queen of Scots affair (unlike some recent dramas on Elizabeth I) and it focuses well on Elizabeth's hesitations to marry and her choices of suitors. There is a big cast which means many famous Elizabethan courtiers and personalities are represented. There are even scenes from the French court. Some people may dislike the fact that the drama was made some 30 years ago, but while modern adaptations of Elizabeth I's life may be glitzy and glamorous, this focuses more upon acting and including as much detail as possible on Elizabeth's reign and life as a whole. And for that alone it excels all other dramas on this remarkable queen.
Historical viewing at its best! July 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having seen three other portrayls of Elizabeth, I believe this one to be the best. You wont find any of the others as close to being historically acurate as this is. The casting is excellent, and Glenda Jackson plays the part of Elizabeth superbly. Bare in mind this BBC series was first transmitted in 1971, so don't expect modern effects, amazing scenes or great battles. If your interested in the history and what is believed to be the truth, you won't need the modern effects of film & television to leave you amazed by this adaptation.
Oh Glenda. Why did you give it up? November 17, 2006
31 out of 34 found this review helpful
This series has been an all time favourite of mine. In fact, such a favourite it is, that I wore out two copies each of the three VHS videos that this series was previously only available on in this country.
Naturally, wanting this series in an immaculate Digital version (DVD), I was incredibly angry to find that it was available to America and Canada (NTSC), but not here in PAL! And as far as I could tell, never was. I spent a few years constantly harrassing the BBC over this matter, emailing them regularly to express my disappointment and asking every time when it was going to be released.
Whilst I wouldn't presume to take any kind of credit now that we have at last got our PAL edition, I like to think my moaning didn't go ignored.
So, do we have what the Americans and Canadians had all these years? No, we don't. This edition is totally devoid of any special features. I do know the NTSC version as was did have them, so why not us too? Again, we are short changed.
Despite this slight let down, I am still more than happy to have such a glorious series, with the superlative acting of Glenda Jackson featured large. (Why on earth such a consumate actress would give up the profession to go into parlaiment, I have no idea.)
Whilst this series is well known for it's historical accuracy, it is still innacurate in various ways (for obvious reasons of script and time contstraints). So don't expect to get a true history lesson from this series. That said, it is the surest telling of the events of her (Elizabeth I) reign, and in the most gripping fashion.
Glenda Jackson's performance outstips any previous or subsequent depiction of Elizabeth I (including that of Cate Blanchett), so buy this series and be utterly entranced by the vision you will see. The lack of special features notwithstanding, this series still merits a full five stars.
One of my favourite DVDs September 4, 2006
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
It's been 35 years since "Elizabeth R" was made and still it's as brilliant a drama as the day it first appeared on the BBC. I think the reason that it's such a great series is that it has the right balance between politics and emotional drama. One compliments the other, and it shows the enigma that was Elizabeth I - the brilliant politician and queen, but also a romantic and perplexing private woman.
Lots of other dramas shy away from politics and focus purely on the characters' personal lives, often in a very soapy, immature sort of way. "Elizabeth R" on the other hand, is right in there. The drama starts with the young princess Elizabeth finding her servants arrested in the middle of the night, and herself implicated in a treasonous plot with Sir Thomas Seymour - the uncle to her half-brother the King. With a natural skill for survival, the princess overrides the scandal and keeps her head. The danger intensifies when her catholic half-sister Mary, whose jealously and suspicion are always simmering beneath the surface, succeeds to the throne. The whole country is forced back to Catholicism, while the guns are out for Elizabeth on all sides and she has to use every bit of wit and cunning to stay one step ahead in the game and outwit her adversaries. This is real life and death stuff and the stakes are high. I particularly loved the first episode with its deadly atmosphere and triumphant ending. The other episodes in the series are equally superb, focusing on the high drama and politics of Elizabeth's reign.
But what makes the drama and what carries it way beyond its years are the strong performances, and at the centre of those is the amazing Glenda Jackson as Elizabeth I. Carrying a 9 hour drama is a big feat, yet Jackson does it easily because she has everything that makes a cool, kick-ass heroine. In a drama full of danger and conspiracy, she rises to the occasion magnificently, and mixes equally all the forcefulness, cunning and charm that you imagine Elizabeth I would have had. While Jackson rules the roost, the whole supporting cast is very strong, cool performances are particularly noticeable from Ronald Hines as William Cecil and Robert Hardy as the Earl of Leicester. I really liked Basil Dignam as Archbishop Gardiner (he was a chilling adversary) and loved Margaretta Scott as Catherine De Medici.
"Elizabeth R" isn't the most expensive production ever made, and it has its limitations in terms of being filmed on tape, studio sets, etc. But what makes the series worth having is its devotion to character and historical accuracy, the emphasis to which can be seen in the script, the authentic costumes and settings, and the performances, Almost every part in the story is played to real perfection by some of the country's best character actors. This drama really succeeds in evoking a feeling of another time and place. It's a showcase of classic writing and real talent, an absolute TV gem.
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