The Virgin Queen (1955) User Reviews

A second film with Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 10 October 2020]

This is Davis' second film in which she plays Queen Elizabeth I of England. Personally, I thought 1939's "Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" was better, but it is hard to compare the two since this film takes place 15 years earlier in history than "Private Lives" and has Davis essentially playing Elizabeth at the age - 47 - that Davis actually was at the time.

The earlier film had Davis at 31 playing Queen Elizabeth in her sixties, and thus the two films make for an interesting comparison. Here Richard Todd plays Sir Walter Raleigh, who, like Essex in the earlier film, is a younger man who trades on Elizabeth's love for him to gain some personal glory. Richard Todd plays Raleigh effectively, but there is just no topping the charisma of Flynn's performance in the earlier movie.

Also, this film is saddled with Joan Collins in a supporting role who always made any film she was in worse and almost single handedly caused the death of classic film on DVD with her box set of not so special Fox films.

This acceptable historical drama recreates the problematic relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 5 March 2013]

Historic drama about The Virgin Queen which focuses on the stormy relationship between the aging Queen and Sir Walter Raleigh . A talky slice of history with Bette Davis as stubborn Queen , whose love affair , jealousy with Raleigh led to his downfall . Well played by Davis who stole the acting honors at a resolute , strong , glamour-skimping characterisation , to give the illusion of baldness, Bette shaved her head two inches in front to show a high forehead under Elizabeth's red wigs, and addition , also performed by swashbuckling champ Richard Tood as an obstinate Raleigh . Elizabeth had learnt her political lessons in the years of intrigue before she became Queen, she was a brilliant stateswoman, managing a succession of parliaments so that she was loved as well as obeyed. Elizabeth I managed to set Great Britain to ruling and gloryfy amidst public and private confusion and she sets in motion a merciless plan to protect her people and preserve her throne . This good historic drama recreates the wars , loves ,turmoil and struggle for power . It explores her last period : from her days of old age when is besieged by court intrigues and political machination as Qeen of France Catalina of Medicis , her fear as a potential victim from Irish people ; into her years of triumph ; and her last, enigmatic relationship with her young protégé , Raleigh . Walter overcomes court intrigue from Sir Christopher Hatton (Robert Douglas) to win favor with the Queen in order to get financing for a proposed voyage to the New World . As Raleigh wants ships to sail and make a name for England and being helped by Robert Dudley , Lord Leicester (Herbert Marshall) . A young ward of the court, Beth Throgmorton (Joan Collins who is the secret object of Raleigh's true affections) , is strongly attracted to Raleigh and goes back the attraction . Elizabeth I's love for William Raleigh threatens to destroy her kingdom . The Virgin Queen managed to restore England glory and power amidst private and public turmoil .

This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth and William Raleigh , dealing with a depiction of the love/hate among them . Bette is top-notch in the title role of this passable drama focusing on the life of known Queen . In this her second acting as Elizabeth and considered to be ever better than hist first in ¨The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex¨ by Michael Curtiz . Seeking the most authenticity , Bette shaved the front of her head and eyebrows and insisted on ugly bags under her eyes , she later complained that they never grew back properly and that ever after she had to draw them in with an eyebrow pencil. The stalwart Richard Todd plays rightly as Sir Raleigh , while Joan Collins gives a mediocre acting as the lady-in-waiting with whom he falls in love . However , the film relies heavily on the relationship between Elizabeth/Raleigh and Beth Throgmorton/Raleigh , resulting to be slightly tiring . Colorful cinematography in CinemaScope by Charles Clarke as well as magnificent production design , both of them add a spectacular ambient to the ancient atmosphere but it does help to know some history in order to keep the plot and plotters straight . Furthermore , an evocative and sensitive musical score by Franz Waxman . The motion picture was professionally directed by Henry Koster , an expert on super-productions and epic biographies , such as he proved in ¨Desiree¨, ¨The Virgin Queen¨, ¨A man called Peter¨, The story of Ruth¨ , ¨The Naked Maja¨ and of course ¨The Robe¨ , his greatest success.

Other films about this historical character are the followings : The classical rendition titled ¨The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex¨ (1939) by Michael Curtiz with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn dealing with her life through her great love affair Essex ; ¨Elizabeth¨ by Shakahar Kapur with Cate Blanchett , Geoffrey Rush , Joseph Fiennes , a story full sweep of Queen's life . And for television : ¨Elizabeth R¨ (1972) by Herbert Wise with Glenda Jackson and Peter Jeffreys ; ¨Elizabeth the Queen¨(1968) by George Schaefer with Judith Anderson and Charlton Heston ; finally TV series ¨Elizabeth¨(2005) by Tom Hooper with Anna Marie Duff , Sienna Guillory and Ian Hart , and ¨Elizabeth I¨ TV miniseries with Helen Mirren , Hugh Dancy and Jeremy Irons .

Excellent portrayal of Elizabeth

[cornishrexrasta · 7/10 · 11 November 2018]

Elizabeth I is nearly always portrayed as stern and unemotional which is probably attributable to the early performances by Dame Flora Robson who set the Elizabeth blueprint. This performance by Bette Davis retains the blueprint but introduces a dark wit to the character. An example is when a scheming ambassador compliments her on her beautiful palace. She replies it was her fathers and that "I will tell him when I see him".

An ambitious adventurer named Walter Raleigh arrives at her court. He only wants three ships to sail and discover gold and the other treasures of the Americas. She takes an instant liking to the handsome Raleigh and the film revolves around her plotting to keep him at her side. She famously refused to marry because she believed in putting country first and here she manipulates Raleigh towards a private relationship that would not diminish her power as Queen in a man's world.

The colorful costumes look a bit party rental but there is plenty of historical accuracy apart from the myth of the "coat over the puddle". The performance from Richard Todd is good but there is little chemistry between him and his wife played by Joan Collins. She delivers her lines so hastily in a modern London accent as if she is about to get on a bus.

The Bette Davis interpretation of Elizabeth and the political machinations at her court are the focus points of the film. There are no dodgy Spanish Armadas or swashbuckling Errol Flynn types detracting from the storytelling or the excellent portrayal of Elizabeth.

That Man Who Used His Cape

[theowinthrop · 4 November 2004]

This film is not great, but it is also undeservedly forgotten. Think of Elizabeth I and Bette Davis and everyone recalls THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX, the Warner Brothers film with Davis and Errol Flynn made in 1939. This film, made in the middle 1950s (when Davis's career was on a downturn)has Richard Todd, a better actor than Flynn but not with half of the latter's charm and charisma. Also the plot is listless. Basically it should be called WHEN SIR WALTER CAME TO COURT, because it is how Raleigh enters Elizabeth's court and rises to her attention. But aside from his rivalry with Sir Christopher Hatton (Robert Douglas, in a well performed semi-villain role), which leads to the death of Dan O'Herlihy (Raleigh's friend) there is no tension in the plot - even with Joan Collins as a youthful beauty at court who becomes Elizabeth's rival.

The real problem is the script writer did not know what to do with the project. ELIZABETH AND ESSEX was based (for better or worse) on a popular play of the time by Maxwell Anderson. It detailed the tragic relationship of the elderly Queen and her youthful lover, who was too hot-headed and too ambitious. It ends with Essex's rebellion of 1601, and his execution which (one can see) destroys the Queen as well. There was plenty of tension in that film, and one of the joys of it is watching how from the start every character knows how to play Essex's headstrong behavior against him. He literally destroys himself, taking his monarch with him.

Raleigh's character appeared in that film (Vincent Price played the role) as a rival of Essex. And they were rivals. But Essex, aside from some fitful abilities as a military leader, had nothing in him. Raleigh and Robert Cecil (Essex two successful adversaries) were gifted in various ways: Cecil was a brilliang politician and statesman, and Raleigh a gifted poet, writer, and explorer of the New World. While Essex has never been forgotten, most people are better acquainted with Raleigh (who eventually became a political martyr as well - being executed for treason in 1618 when King James I was "disappointed" that Raleigh's South American explorations did not bring in the gold of El Dorado to England). Cecil/Salisbury is better recalled to scholars of Elizabethan history, but he was quite a master-success. He was the first Earl of Salisbury, and his family remains a leading set in the British Aristocracy to this day (one of them, Robert Gascoigne Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury, was Queen Victoria's last Prime Minister from 1895 - 1902).

A good film about Raleigh would actually concentrate on his various careers as writer, explorer, and would-be colonist. It would show his major achievement as a writer: THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, and go into his attempts to finance exploration of North America (the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke was created by Raleigh's plans). It would end in the tragedy of 1618, and the ingratitude of a particularly obnoxious monarch. Raleigh did not find El Dorado, and his oldest son died in the attempt to settle a colony in South America. However, his expedition created the British territory of British Guiana (now the nation of Guyana)which is the only English speaking country in South America.

That, alas, is not the case with THE VIRGIN QUEEN. Set in the 1580s, Raleigh arrives in the court dominated by the Queen's oldest (and probably truest love), Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Herbert Marshall), and by Leicester's rival Hatton (Elizabeth's fairly able Chancellor of Exchequer). Leicester goes to lead a military team who are assisting the Dutch. He died in the Netherlands in 1587 (his death occurs off screen here). Hatton, happy to be rid of his rival finds Leicester's place filled by that upstart Raleigh, and this goes into a long, increasingly bitter rivalry that ends with the death of Dan O'Herlihy. Raleigh decides to leave the court, as he has fallen in love with Bess Throckmorton (which displeases the Queen) and he wishes to explore the New World, but Elizabeth convinces him to remain at court - even allowing him to marry Bess (which he did do).

It's not an exciting story at all. They try to pump excitement into it, but Douglas (while good as Hatton) seems to frivolous a character to take seriously. Actually this is quite true in a sense: Elizabeth actually was first attracted to Hatton by his graceful dancing. It just turned out he was a competent public servant as well. The tragedy of O'Herlihy's death is sad but not enough to really make the film tense and interesting (it also comes too late in the film to do much good). While well mounted it is not a good historical movie.

Ironically Davis was closer in age to the age of Elizabeth when she made this film, as opposed to ELIZABETH AND ESSEX, where she was playing an older version of Elizabeth when she (Davis) was younger. I think I prefer her performance when she was younger.

Sir Walter Raleigh and The Virgin Queen

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 13 May 2008]

Bette Davis is again "The Virgin Queen" in this 1955 film, and this time, her attention is on Sir Walter Raleigh. Earlier, in a more interesting film, "The Story of Elizabeth and Essex," she was the younger Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex was Errol Flynn. "The Virgin Queen" is sumptuous in its production, done in color, and the costumes deservedly won an Oscar. Here Elizabeth is older and becomes fascinated with Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) when he comes to her court to request three ships to sail to the new world in search of treasure on behalf of England. She puts him in charge of the palace guard; he in turn falls for a lady-in-waiting, Lady Elizabeth Throckmorton (Joan Collins) and secretly marries her. The queen grants him one ship, but while he's preparing it, he finds out that Elizabeth Throckmorton is pregnant with his child. Unfortunately, Elizabeth finds out too and has him placed under arrest.

This is a mildly interesting film and historically not very accurate, though it is true that Sir Walter married Beth Throckmorton secretly, she became pregnant, and he was arrested. The real story is simplified in the film. It makes for not very exciting viewing, though the acting is strong and the cast excellent - besides the stars mentioned, Herbert Marshall is Lord Leicester and Dan O'Herlihy is Lord Derry.

Bette Davis does a marvelous job as Elizabeth, a tough, feisty, demanding and sometimes angry woman. Nobody could look as bad as Davis when she felt it was necessary for the role - she allowed four inches to be shaved from her hairline (Elizabeth had lost her hair due to fever) and wears what can only be called a fright wig. Hollywood stars back then would dress down, muss their hair, maybe cut back on the makeup, but Bette set the bar quite high for acting generations to come when it came to distorting her appearance. She is very effective in the role - as someone pointed out, she's a Yankee playing a British queen, and you never doubt that she is one. Richard Todd handles the language beautifully, but while he may have more depth than someone like Flynn, he doesn't exhibit the necessary charisma and charm. Joan Collins is young, beautiful, and does a good job as Elizabeth Throckmorton.

Worth seeing for the elegance of production and for that fabulous force of nature, Bette Davis.

The film typifies Davis' compelling moves as her proud and cunning performance

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 11 January 2009]

On his return to England in 1581, after fighting honorably and victoriously in the Irish War, Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) makes his way to Lord Leicester (Herbert Marshall), a confidant of Queen Elizabeth (Bette Davis).

Lord Leicester is so impressed with his good looking and self-confidence, that he arranges for him an introduction at Court…

Raleigh, hoping to gain the queen's attention so he can interest her in sponsoring his ambition to sail to the New World and return with great loots, orders a costly blue cape he cannot afford…By laying it over a mud puddle in her path as she crosses the palace courtyard, Raleigh got what he deeply desires…

Formerly presented to her and openly inspired with a foolish and excessive passion, Queen Elizabeth appoints him as Captain of the Guard against the advice of Chadwick (Jay Robinson), a counselor whose dislike of Raleigh is unrestricted…

Once in the Palace, and close to the queen, Raleigh falls in love with one of her beautiful attendants, Beth Throgmorton (Joan Collins), who feels she is competing with the queen for Raleigh's kindness…

In a position to have entire faith in the queen, Raleigh tells her of his hope of being sent to the New World to seek fortunes… Indulgent at first, Elizabeth finally considers his offer and promises him one ship for his expedition… On the eve of his departure, Elizabeth knights Raleigh in her bed-chamber ignoring that, while awaiting her decision, he has married Beth in a secret ceremony…

It all makes for a pretty interesting historical motion picture not to be missed

historically inaccurate but a lavish production and great acting

[authorwriting · 7/10 · 11 April 2006]

Basically a soap opera of it's day with Queen Liz and Elexis Carrington fighting over the handsome, young cad, Sir Walter Raleigh who among other things introduced cigarettes to the world. The movie won an academy award for its costumes which unlike the events depicted in the film are spot on in their historical detail.

Bettie Davies is brilliant as The Queen (the template for Miranda Richardson's version in Blackadder II) and Richard Todd looks the part as the dashing Sir Walter Raleigh. The DVD cut of this film, issued as part of the Studio Classics series, is pristine with the digital format bringing out the sheer spectacle of colour in the scenes in the royal court.

A great old fashioned drama.

THE VIRGIN QUEEN (Henry Koster, 1955) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 24 January 2010]

16 years after portraying Queen Elizabeth I in Michael Curtiz's THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX (1939), Bette Davis donned the garments of the fiery British monarch once more for this fine (if largely unhistorical) costumer about another tumultuous relationship of hers – with Sir Walter Raleigh (here played by the late Richard Todd, who died just the other day aged 90). Although Davis unsurprisingly dwarfs the rest of the participants in the acting stakes, she is still surrounded by a most able cast that also includes Joan Collins (as one of Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting who, much to the latter's chagrin, becomes Mrs. Walter Raleigh and is carrying his child), Herbert Marshall (as the long-suffering Chancellor of England), Robert Douglas (as Elizabeth's villainous chief adviser), Dan O'Herlihy (as, controversially, an Irish lord and Raleigh's best friend) and Jay Robinson (as Douglas' reptilian henchman). There are some good lines (especially when Davis and Todd indulge in verbal sparring), two good fight sequences both involving Todd (a vigorous swordfight in a tavern at the start and an animated fistfight with Douglas towards the end), a serviceable score from Franz Waxman and, as is to be expected from a Grade-A studio product, the film is very handsome to behold (the costume designers nabbed its sole Oscar nod).

Very impressive Bette Davis.

[niblungen · 10/10 · 25 May 2003]

Bette Davis is probably one of the greatest actresses of all time, and it is really outstanding that a Massachusetts lady can break all cultural barriers and incarnate an English Queen to such a degree of perfection. I really enjoyed her performance.

The rest of the cast is just acceptable. Richard Todd is handsome and the young Joan Collins is beatiful to watch. The costumes and settings are carefully reproduced, and Koster's direction is profesional. The dialogues are wonderfully written, though the story is not quite historically accurate.

By the way, the European VHS edition is simply disgusting: the film is cut to fit the normal TV screen 4:3, leaving out vital parts of it. For example, in a scene between Sir Walter Raleigh (Todd) and Bess Throckmorton (Collins), they are standing the one in front of the other at both sides of a huge paned window: the only thing you can see on screen is the window, while you hear both talking! A new DVD edition would be most welcome.

Chewing the scenery with undistinguished relish

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 8 August 2015]

A belated follow-up to the similar PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX, this sees Bette Davis once more donning the oddly-shaped wig in order to play Elizabeth I, this time at a later stage in her life. THE VIRGIN QUEEN explores Elizabeth's relationship with charming courtier Walter Raleigh, here desperately trying to finance an expedition to the New World.

All of the elements for a fun, non-stuffy costume romp are here: splendid and picturesque locales, colourful costumes, heads on the block, and all manner of court intrigue. Enjoyment of the story is increased with some expertly-staged sword fights alongside the presence of British actor Richard Todd as Raleigh; he certainly cuts a fine swathe through the story as the dashing adventurer and makes the film his own.

Davis remains delightfully waspish, frequently chewing the scenery with an undisguised relish when she can get away with it. An impossibly young Joan Collins plays Mistress Throgmorton, recipient of Raleigh's affections outside of the queen, making for one of the most bizarre love triangles put on film. History buffs will be in their element.

Liz And Her Loves

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 5 March 2007]

The Virgin Queen marks Bette Davis's second go around as Elizabeth I of England. The first and better known film was done in 1939, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. The action in that film takes place at almost the very end of her regime in 1602. Bette Davis who was 31 at the time was made up to look the 66 that Elizabeth was then.

This film takes place 15 years earlier, but Bette is now 47, a lot closer in age to the real Elizabeth then. The film is a fictional account of the arrival of Sir Walter Raleigh at her court and what transpired therein.

Raleigh is played by Richard Todd, the Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Raleigh was played by Vincent Price. These are two quite different Raleighs, Todd is here, self described as blunt speaking plain soldier who wants Elizabeth to give him a ship to explore the new world. By 1602, Price's Raleigh has become every bit the flattering courtier that he as Todd so despised.

All royal courts are places of intrigue by their very nature, Elizabeth's even more so. First of all she was a woman who did like young handsome men around her. In her early days it was Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester played here by Herbert Marshall. Later on it was Christopher Hatton who is played by Robert Douglas. Then it was Raleigh and last the Earl of Essex, the protagonist in the earlier Davis Elizabethan role. These guys fought for her favor and she kind of enjoyed pitting them against each other. In addition she had the Cecils, uncle William and nephew Robert also serving here. There was no romantic attachment there and Francis Walsingham as well with no romance involved. Each one of these people had their good and bad qualities and served Elizabeth well in his own way.

Also she was known as The Virgin Queen because she was unmarried though I doubt strongly she physically kept her virginity. She was the last of the line of Tudors, the succession was very much up in the air. The threat of civil war, like the War of the Roses in the previous century. None of these guys knew who would wind up succeeding her, they all had to be on nimble feet to make the right jump. A wrong decision could cost somebody his head.

This is the background of what Raleigh was dealing with in Elizabeth's court. It's not true however that Christopher Hatton was the villain as shown here. He was battling for his survival like everybody else.

What is true is that Raleigh while Elizabeth was drawn to him, was in turn drawn to Bess Throckmorton one of her ladies in waiting. He did secretly marry her and got her pregnant as the film states. And Elizabeth I got her dander up as she was wont to do.

I'm sorry the Cecils and Walsingham were not included in this film. They were both very much on the scene, it's the biggest inaccuracy of the film.

It's not good history, but fair enough entertainment. Note the presence here of both a young Joan Collins as Ms. Throckmorton and Dan O'Herlihy as Raleigh's Irish sidekick. Both do good jobs in their parts.

EXTREMELY under-rated tour-de-force for the Brilliant Bette

[tamarenne · 9/10 · 10 February 2013]

I cannot help but be disappointed by the reviews this movie has thusfar received in IMDb, but not surprised.

With respect to Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, neither of those ladies can hold a patch on the brilliant Bette Davis, perhaps the greatest actress ever, as the immortal Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps the greatest monarch that England ever knew.

Whether or not the movie is weak history, the movie shines as a vehicle for La Davis. Richard Todd gives a decent performance, although I submit he has neither the acting chops nor the charisma of Errol Flynn. But he serves well in the role.

The costumes, cinematography and screenplay are bright and arresting. And like it or not, Bette Davis' brilliant, mannered, and astoundingly powerful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I has informed every ensuing depiction of the Virgin Queen

Bette is Queen Elizabeth.

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 4 May 2008]

A very impressive movie, almost majestic. The untouchable Bette Davis appears flawless as Queen Elizabeth I. A well intentioned, albeit conniving Sir Walter Raleigh(Richard Todd) petitions to see the Queen in hopes of getting funds to sail three ships and promising Her Highness the riches found. The Queen is not so quick with the idea, but she does want him as an assistant to flirt with. Beth Throgmorton(Joan Collins)is the lady-in-waiting and the secret object of Raleigh's true affections. I really got into the first half of the film; then for some unexplainable reason my interest waned. Costumes, sets and scenery are super. Miss Collins is very pleasant to watch. Other players: Jay Robinson, Dan O'Herlihy, Robert Douglas, Leslie Parrish and Herbert Marshall.

Straddling the Fence

[inspectors71 · 5/10 · 30 May 2015]

The movie is 60 years old, made in the Land of Vanilla, the 1950s. And yet, there's a baby percolating in Joan Collins, I think I heard the word "slut" used, and damned if Bette Davis, as Elizabeth Tudor (with a hard-top) literally walks around as if she has a pair of big brass ones. I thought The Virgin Queen was going to be a cheesy costume drama. I was only partially right.

Having enjoyed 1998's Elizabeth, I was looking for something that would add levels to the first Queen E. I got it. She was teetering on nuts (not the brass ones) in this flick. The smart part of her kept grabbing the wheel of state away from the crazy/isolated/monarch-with-a-vengeance part. I have never understood the cult of Bette Davis (I mean . . . yech), but I accepted Davis as this monarch. I think what made Davis work as Elizabeth was that she seemed to be having a whole lot of fun straddling that fence between crazy woman and uber-leader.

The rest of the flick is so much Hollywood clanking of swords and clawing of eyes. I liked listening to Richard Todd (cool voice) as he pitches a golden dream to Liz. He was such a nothing--I kept thinking of all the other actors who could have been Sir Walter Raleigh--but I stuck with him. Things actually got interesting when he would mouth off at Davis, chewing her out, banishing her from his prison cell.

If Davis wasn't your typical 1950s monarch, Todd wasn't going to fit the chivalrous mold either, and that helped this flick a lot.

Which leaves us to Joan Collins. I liked her best when she was popping off to Todd, making him want her more. As one of Bette's ladies in waiting, she got to stand around looking pretty, call Todd a lap dog, and get into a lip lock with him in his apartment that led to a nice, long fade out and in. And you knew, you just had to know that Sir Walter, well, ahem.

Wouldn't you? Joan, in her 20s, was smokin'! But how do you get by the Production Code with that long fade and the cuddly gazing out the window afterward?

I can just see the young un's chortling in he theatre, and the grumps thinking, "Oh, my goodness! They seemed to have had relations. Herbert, we must go. This is smut!"

I'm rambling. I liked The Virgin Queen, even if so much of it was pedestrian. I gained a little tolerance of Bette Davis. I still don't know why Richard Todd was a star (other than the salesman voice). Joan Collins was lovely, and I think her beauty peeked when she played Edith Keeler in an episode of Star Trek. After that, I think she started on her long string of bitchy cartoon characters.

I never once felt much suspense. The costumes were cool, but the sets looked TVish. What made the movie work was the pushback against the man, censorship-wise.

I still liked Kate Blanchett better.

Typical (Twentieth) Tudor Twaddle!

[gregcouture · 7 October 2003]

This one should have been a lot better, considering the pedigree of its cast and the professionals behind the camera, including the always reliable Franz Waxman, contributing a score that must have sounded wonderful when those theaters equipped with stereophonic sound systems played this costumer during its first release.

But director Henry Koster's touch is particularly pedestrian in this one. (Note how he stages the legendary scene when Sir Walter Raleigh spreads his cape across a muddy patch for Queen Elizabeth to glide over it without soiling her royal hem. Tossed off as if it weren't worth showing!) And the script seems to be regurgitating all those well-worn cliches about a love and sex-starved Queen Elizabeth I surrounded by male courtiers who have only their various personal ambitions to keep them apparently interested in her feminine needs.

Bette does her best (and even supposedly consented to shaving herself bald for the role!) and Richard Todd and a young and lovely Joan Collins convince as a couple willing to risk the frustrated Queen's wrath to consummate their love. And it's always a pleasure to see actors like Dan O'Herlihy and Herbert Marshall in support, despite how woefully little is made of their talents.

Beware the VHS version, a "formatted" desecration of the original 2.55:1 CinemaScope ratio. For no other reason this handsomely mounted production deserves to be given the widescreen DVD treatment.

Sixteenth Century Rom-Com

[JamesHitchcock · 6/10 · 9 September 2010]

"The Virgin Queen" was the second film in which Bette Davis played Queen Elizabeth I of England. The first was "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex", made when Davis was a young woman in her early thirties, even though it is set during a period during which the historical Elizabeth would have been in her sixties. "The Virgin Queen" displays a greater concern for accuracy, at least as far as the Queen's age is concerned; it is ostensibly set in 1581 when Elizabeth would have been 48, around the same age as Davis was in 1955, although the events it describes actually took place several years after that date.

Like "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" it deals with the relationship between the Queen and one of her favourites, in this case Sir Walter Raleigh. Although the film is generally classified as a historical drama, it can in fact be seen as a romantic comedy in period dress and observes most of the conventions of that genre. It would be easy to update the plot to a modern setting; "Walt, an up-and-coming young executive with ambitious plans for expanding the business, has caught the eye of his formidable lady boss Elizabeth, but he only has eyes for her attractive young assistant". For the business expansion plans, read Raleigh's ambitions to found English colonies in the New World, and for the attractive young assistant read the Queen's maid of honour Elizabeth Throckmorton, here generally referred to as "Beth" to distinguish her from her monarch. (I doubt if anyone ever referred to the Queen as "Beth", at least not to her face). Of course, a sixteenth-century rom-com has an extra edge over a twenty-first century one in that the penalty Walt might face for a wrong step is not the sack but the loss of his head.

The film's most distinctive feature is its visual style; the background colours are fairly muted, but bright primary colours, especially reds and blues, stand out in the foreground, giving it something of the look of a painting. The clothes of the wealthy classes of this period tended to be sumptuous, so it is perhaps not surprising that the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

That apart, there is little about the film which really makes it stand out. It does not really represent Davis' best work when compared to earlier films such as "Jezebel" or "The Letter". Nevertheless, as a historical romance it is a very enjoyable one. Richard Todd plays Raleigh as a dashing hero in the Errol Flynn-Stewart Granger tradition, and the lovely Joan Collins makes a splendidly spirited heroine as Beth. (It is a misconception that Collins could only play villainesses; in her early days she was often cast as the heroine). This is the sort of film that makes entertaining, if undemanding, watching on a wet Sunday afternoon. 6/10

The Virgin Queen

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 14 November 2022]

Historically, it is safe to say that Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh didn't always get on, but I am not sure their relationship was ever quite this verbose. This is a good enough looking melodrama with Bette Davis and Richard Todd out to enrich England (and themselves) co-starring Joan Collins as the suitably "pathetic" lady in waiting who falls for Raleigh - and in so doing they both earn the enmity of a jealous queen. Herbert Marshall tries to bring a little weight to the proceedings; Dan O'Herlihy a little humour but ultimately we are left with a colourful, but pretty mundane, wordy, historical costume drama with the odd flash of character from Davis.

Sixteen years have not dimmed Bette Davis's power as Queen Elizabeth I.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 7 December 2019]

Even though other actresses have played Queen Elizabeth more than once, Bette Davis stands out as one of the most memorable because of her power not only as Queen Elizabeth but as a Hollywood legend who has stood the test of time. She did not have the opportunity to repeat her role opposite Errol Flynn in "The Sea Wolf". That went to Flora Robson who had played the role in "Fire Over England" two years before Bette made her debut as the Virgin Queen. Glenda Jackson received much acclaim for playing Elizabeth in the BBC miniseries and in "Mary Queen of Scots", and other actresses have played the role multiple times as well. Returning to this role, Davis adds new dimensions to make the character even more memorable than she was before.

This film focuses on her relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh, play by Richard Todd, and his desire to obtain three ships to visit the new world. She falls in love with him and blocks every attempt of him to leave England, and when she finds out that he has wed one of her ladies-in-waiting (Joan Collins) she is even more livid. There is also jealousy in her court from the other men towards Raleigh and that leads to more political intrigue.

Technically excellent with terrific color photography, great outdoor action sequences and aided by the use of widescreen, this historical epic is a little slow in spots and doesn't really go into thorough detail concerning some of the people surrounding the queen. Davis, a lot younger when she first played the part, takes command here and is at the perfect age, even altering her hairline to look more realistic. Collins and Todd are also very good, and fans of the two leading ladies will be searching out the scene where Davis allegedly kicked Collins. The direction by Henry koster and the musical score also superb.

Bette Davis does well to drag this donkey over the hill

[bushmillau · 6/10 · 29 July 2021]

A passable effort for this type of historical drama. Although the scenes are a bit paint by numbers. The laying down of the cape for Lizzy I to tromp on looks like it was filmed on the set of Gilligan's Island. The confected emnity between Raleigh and Sir Eyepatch also lacked fizz. But the thing that I found most baffling was the way QEI walked around as if something large and pointy had lodged in a place best not mentioned in polite company. What method school acting technique was she channeling?

She scuttled about like a severely constipated John Wayne. Or a Dalek at a fancy dress ball.

Watch it if you have nothing better to do.

Great stuff!

[JohnHowardReid · 9/10 · 27 June 2017]

Copyright 1955 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 5 August 1955. U.S. release: August 1955. U.K. release: 26 December 1955. Australian release: 1 December 1955. Sydney opening at the Regent. 8,242 feet. 92 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Walter Raleigh makes the most of a chance encounter to gain an audience with Queen Elizabeth.

NOTES: Fox's 35th CinemaScope feature. Le Maire and Wills were nominated for an Academy Award for their Color Costumes, losing to Le Maire's own "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing".

Photographer Charles G. Clarke states that the dazzling camera-work in the movie was entirely due to his expertise. Koster was completely under the thumb of Bette Davis, who tried to interfere with the cinematography too. "She thought she knew something about cinematography and lighting. A couple of times she'd try and tell me my job. But I don't put up with that kind of business."

VIEWER'S GUIDE: Parental supervision is advisable to encourage children to watch this historically valid interpretation.

COMMENT: Originally intended as a routine CinemaScope romance between Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) and one of Elizabeth's Ladies- In- Waiting (Elizabeth Throgmorton played by Joan Collins), this film became "The Virgin Queen" when Bette Davis, somewhat tardily was signed as its star. The script changes Miss Davis demanded, in order to build up her part, entailed considerable literary carpentry. Despite this, and despite the fact that Miss Davis claims to have completed all her scenes in eleven days, "The Virgin Queen" is wholly successful as a film.

It is rare, in historical movies, for the dialogue to contribute to a sense of the reality of the period. In "The Virgin Queen", Elizabethans speak to their contemporaries, for the most part, in the language Will Shakespeare wrote. Many phrases have wit, and not a few period idioms are very happily used indeed. Bette Davis plays to perfection the role of Elizabeth — an elderly, watchful, suspicious, carping, greedy, lonely, proud, vicious and dangerous woman.

Especially pleasing in the supporting cast, are: Robert Douglas as Sir Christopher Hatton; Romney Brent, a New York Stage Director, as the French Ambassador; Jay Robinson (who does not overact to the extent he did in "Demetrius and The Gladiators"), as Chadwick; and Dan O'Herlihy as Lord Derry, (a role entirely different from his previous Robinson Crusoe). Todd, Collins and Herbert Marshall (Lord Leicester) are all quite adequate.

Director Henry Koster evidently agreed that fluid camera-work would enhance the film's pictorial effectiveness. Indeed, Koster's emphasis on pictorial effectiveness and his love of picturesque backgrounds, are very well illustrated in this film. The roads are as rutted and muddy, and the cobbled London streets as filthy, as were those of Good Queen Bess' time.

To Sum Up: No matter what reservations individual spectators may have respecting liberties with history, "The Virgin Queen" is an excellent example of how Hollywood, at its best, can evoke the past with both skill and interest.

soulless

[MrDeWinter · 1/10 · 12 August 2021]

Nothing to see here apart from the colourful costumes and sets. The Queen should at least sound English. Even the English Joan Collins was unbearable to watch, as always. Turned off after 20 min.

The splendour of the Elizabethan court and age with Richard Todd as Raleigh as the jewel in the crown

[clanciai · 9/10 · 7 March 2021]

No one of those days would have fitted the character off Sir Walter Raleigh better than Richard Todd. The film is a dramatisation of the first and greatest conflict between him and Queen Elizabeth concerning his secret marriage with Elizabeth Throgmorton, which infuriated her as every love affair with any of her court ladies used to infuriate her more than anything else. The film is also the story of how Sir Walter Raleigh got his first expedition to America, which led to the first British colony of Virginia in North America, the very foundation of the American colonies, and that story is very much romanticised with only the basic truth left in it. We must remember, of course, that this is an American film, and all the American films about the Elizabethan age were very much romanticised - anything else would have been out of the question, so there is very little realism here, while instead the beauty and splendour of the spectacle is the more efficient and overwhelming. Bette Davis was also an American, she had made Queen Elizabeth already once against Errrol Flynn as Essex, which was also an exaggerated romanticisation, and the only problem is that Bette Davis can never be convincing neither as a Queen nor as an Englishwoman - she is too much herself, too much of an American buccaneer, although one of the most splendid actresses of all, but practically all other Elizabeths are more convincing, especially Flora Robson, Cate Blanchett and Vanessa Redgrave, while Bette Davis in spite of all her splendid acting and doing well in her role makes a rather artificial impression as a dressed up doll, almost like a caricature, and her cruelty is exaggerated. She was firm but sensible and always kept to her heart. There may have been serious arguments between her and Raleigh, and he certainly would have lost his temper a number of times, as he was a rather dynamic nature of great force and initiative, but the fact remains that he actually brought her America and was the one remaining favourite of hers to the end of her days. The film is a great spectacle of a play, perfectly bringing his character alive, and Joan Collins is also quite acceptable as his Bess, but I must prefer other Elizabeths to Bette Davis.

History comes alive, sort of

[bregund · 3/10 · 10 November 2022]

Bette Davis might have been a brilliant actress in most of her roles throughout her career, but she's awful in this film. Is this a comedy? She marches around with all the grace of a lumberjack, rolling her eyes and spouting poorly written dialogue such as:

"Out of me sight, out of me house."

"Do not gape so."

"I feel faint, take me to me chamber."

Also, Joan Collins was never a great beauty or a great actress, reciting her lines like she's reading them on the back of a cereal box. The costumes and settings are gorgeous, but the awful dialogue is unbearable.

"Her anger is like an angry beast."

"Ambition opened his mouth, jealousy spoke his words for him."

Yes, it's as poorly written as it sounds, and just as unwatchable.

Elizabeth the 1st: Who Better than Bette Davis in 1955?

[semioticz · 18 October 2007]

Bette Davis gives an amazing performance of England's Queen Elizabeth the 1st. Still a virgin as an older woman (in this version), the determined & dedicated Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh. But, in a secret ceremony on a night that the Queen's own hand maiden (a very young looking Joan Collins) seduces Raleigh, just when he doubts himself. Believing he failed to impress the Queen enough for her to grant him 3 ships, he marries Collins & impregnates her.

To the surprise of Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth is most impressed by him & summons him to her bedroom where she knights him, Sir Walter Raleigh. Then, gives him one ship. Now he's in a fix between two women enamored with him.

There's much more to the story. Watching Davis & Collins together is quite the contrast in acting styles. Although the "Dynasty" Collins is much more like Davis as the Queen: temperamental, shrewd, demanding, and impeccable with the delivery of an excellent script, juxtaposed as the two actors are in this film, it's quite obvious how Davis & Collins take a great deal of care with their difference delivery styles of speech.

This film made me prefer Davis' Queen Elizabeth the 1st over other characterizations. I can't imagine a living actress who could become this particular staged Queen, as well as does Davis. (And I have watched Cate Blanchett). After all it's a tall order to go into role better than Bette Davis.

Sweet and splendid

[Bibliophile100 · 8/10 · 3 January 2023]

What a sweet, touching, and splendid film this one was: The Virgin Queen, staring Bette Davis, Richard Todd, and Joan Collins.

Richard plays a brave, tough, and extremely loyal fighter, Walter Raleigh, whom has recently been welcomed into Queen Elizabeth I's kingdom, as her personal guard captain. While trying his best to earn her respect, Walter also starts to fall for one of Queen Elizabeth's hand ladies, Beth Throckmorton. With a two woman relationship rapidly spiraling out of control, will Walter be able to convince the queen that he still holds respect for her, while trying to write his own fantasy with Beth, and make it come true?

I believe, apart from seeing clips of her in the soap opera Dynasty, this is my first time seeing Joan Collins in action, and she did a great job. Richard Todd did a superb job as Walter too, with his undying determination to please both ladies that are currently in his life, and epic sword combat skills! But my personal favorite performance, was without a doubt, Bette Davis, as the Virgin Queen herself! Bette, quite literally, pun intended, "ruled" as Her Majesty the First!! I loved her usually stubborn demeanor, and found myself telepathically urging her to accept the fact that while her hand maid and bodyguard captain are in love, that doesn't mean Walter also doesn't love the queen less.

For movie watchers who enjoy a historical look back at old times, seeing how love blossomed in Old England, and how hard it was to hold onto that love within a queen's palace, due to much stricter and unfair laws, I'd recommend The Virgin Queen. It's sure to delight you!