Sunday, June 14, 2009

Question from Stephanie - Blanchett vs. Mirren movies on Elizabeth I

Hello everyone! In your own opinion, which is the more accurate portrayal of Elizabeth I between Cate Blanchett and Helen Mirren? (By accurate I mean which movie had more actual quotes, etc.)

This question may be a little open ended, but I was wondering and figured I'd get everyone's opinion.

5 comments:

PhD Historian said...

In my opinion, the producers of the movie starring Helen Mirren made a stronger effort at historial realism than did the producers of the one starring Cate Blanchett.

Lara said...

Ditto from me.

I really enjoyed the Helen Mirren program. I liked some of the subtle touches that fans of the real history would appreciate, such as having real portraits of Tudor people on the walls in some shots. (I'm thinking of one scene in particular with the Whitehall Mural clearly visible on the wall.) The voiceover of Mirren reading "On Monsieur's Departure" was nice too.

Michelle said...

I am also going with the Helen Mirren movie.

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett had more actual quotes from Elizabeth 1.
The director certainly skewed the times lines and ages of many characters. He also portrayed Elizabeth and Robert as a couple who consummated their love. But more actual Elizabeth 1 quotes are in this version.

Kristian said...

Wow, that's so funny you mention the Whitehall dynastic portrait, Lara... I've watched the Helen Mirren program a couple of times but just noticed that portrait yesterday!
(I am always trying to determine in which palace scenes are meant to take place and was able to identify it by that portrait.)

I have to agree with PhD H. and Anonymous that the Helen Mirren program was a better historical representation BUT there are usually more quotes in Michael Hirst's works.

I believe that Michael Hirst (writer of Elizabeth, The Golden Age and The Tudors) tries to work many attributed quotes into his scripts. Despite the historical inaccuracy of "The Tudors," if you will find many speeches and comments taken word for word from biographies and historic records.

That said, perhaps he does that to bring some historical accuracy back to his work? He has stated in many interviews that he is in the business of entertainment and not making documentaries.