I thought "Elizabeth" was a wonderful movie. Maybe it is was certainly not entirely true to history, but what movie is? The sex and the gore weren't crucial moments to the story, but were some that certainly happened in reality. The movie deserves praise alone for stepping out of the cliche that all old English dramas must be stuffy and dry. Cate Blanchett is wonderful, too.

I thought Elizabeth one of the finest films of the year - far better than its Elizabethan sister "Shakespere in Love". The Oscar judges must have been blind not to see the premium quality of this film. Perhaps the strongest aspect of 'Elizabeth' was the cast and acting; I admired the strength of character that Cate Blanchet gave Elizabeth and the air of mystery in which Rush surrounded Walsingham. I was most impressed however by Christopher Eccelston's portrayal of the Duke of Norfolk, he gave the character a sense of respectibility that the rest of the film denied him. I competely recommend this film to any one who likes intelligence in the films they watch.

Some of the criticism to this movie: some actor's underexposure (Vice) or too much sex or the story being too complicated are in my opinion missing the mark. It is after all not a story is made to fit everybody's idea of a 'good story'. The story was about Elizabeth, and as such even if the rest of the cast are superb, they should get appropriate weight. As for the sex, I don't recall them as being too much, or indeed recall much of them at all, since they were not the highlights of the movie. The story didn't rely on those scenes. Whether or not one approve of them is quite irrelevant. After watching the movie, I'm left with a strong, meaningful, and complex story about a remarkable person. So as a movie, it's highly successful. Actually I wished it were longer (so as to accomodate more story). It's history come alive at its best. Cate Blanchett is simply marvelous. Joseph Fiennes is rather forgetable. Rush and Attenbourough and the rest are really good.

I don't always agree with Jeff Vice, but his review is right on the money with this one. What should have been an interesting historical piece is convoluted, violent, confusing and preoccupied with sex. The fact that this movie was so highly thought of by the Academy again demonstrates to me how out of touch Hollywood is with the general public. I love a good story. Instead, I get wonderful costumes and settings, which are certainly nice, but a woeful story peppered with unnecessary sex and violence. Not only am I not impressed, it makes me really think twice before I spend my time and money with any movie.

I usually detest the stiffness of costume dramas, with the attitude that doing nothing but displaying pretty compositions is showing 'class'. But I was truly amazed at the outstanding ELIZABETH, a mesmerizing, exciting, visually daring film that riveted me from start to finish. There's more passion and moviemaking bravado here than in a dozen movies of its type. Cate Blanchett is nothing short of magnificent here, contributing a performance that definitely should have snagged her a Best Actress win over the pallid Gwyneth Paltrow, while the film itself (out of those nominated) was by far the best of the lot. A new American classic.

I thought that Elizabeth is by far the absolute best film this year. The reason why people don't like it, and say it's muddled, is because they don't know anything about British History to begin with. When I saw Elizabeth I understood everything perfectly, I have a feeling that Kapur expected an audience better educated in the Elizabethan era and before that, the histor leading up to it. I would also like to say, that the acting is fabulous. The sex scenes, and violent deaths fit very well within the context of the movie. I would like to say two thumbs up for Cate Blanchett who is a fabulous actress, and another two thumbs up for Christopher Eccelston who played and excellent Duke of Norfolk, and is also a fabulous actor. The costumes, scenery, and filming are all top line, especially the filming. It's a very dark film, and it gives you the feeling that your in the tower of London, or the castle. If this doesn't come home with a bucket full of Oscar's heads are going to fly, that's all I have to say!

A splendid story of gothic intrigue, all the more enthralling because it is basically true. This movie builds an authentic feel of time and place, and effectively portrays the real dangers of being surrounded by those who's lust for power is greater than their allegiance to principles or people. (Has a modern ring to it don't you think?) I highly recommend this film.