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7/10
Worth watching before viewing the actual film...
Doylenf12 May 2005
What with interesting observations from Lincoln D. Hurst and other film historians, as well as amusing on the set comments from Nanette Fabray, this is a gorgeous addition to the DVD bonus features.

Fabray was obviously in awe of beginning her film career with such biggies as Davis, Flynn and de Havilland, although she confesses that at the time she had no idea she was supposed to be impressed with director Michael Curtiz. She relates a story about missing her marks that shows Davis in a favorable light but is most amusing when indicating the crush she had on meeting Errol Flynn.

A pleasure to watch since it includes clips from the majestically photographed film which looks even more vibrant in its new DVD version and gives the viewer a brief glimpse of the film's initial reception from critics.

An appetizer that a viewer should watch before looking at the film itself. It will give you a fresh perspective on things.
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Davis and Flynn
Michael_Elliott28 March 2012
Elizabeth & Essex: Battle Royale (2005)

*** (out of 4)

Nice look at the making of the Bette Davis and Errol Flynn drama THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX features interviews with film historians Lincoln Hurst, Rudy Behlmer, Rob Thomas as well as conductor John Mauceri and actress Nanette Fabray who actually appeared in the film. Running just over ten-minutes, this featurette certainly doesn't go into great detail about every aspect of the making of the film but I think it tells enough good stories to make it worth viewing once you've seen the film. Of course, the best stuff deals with the hatred between Davis and Flynn who apparently didn't get along too well and it appears neither wanted the other in the film. It also appears that director Michael Curtiz wasn't too fond about doing the movie so it is rather amazing that the final product turned out so well. Fabray tells some very good stories about the first time she met Flynn and some advice Davis gave her when she was struggling to hit her mark. Overall fans of the film should get a kick out of these stories and it's certainly worth viewing.
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7/10
Not a word about "bacon crisps" . . .
oscaralbert26 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
. . . is heard from the herd of film buffs straining for interesting morsels of information to serve up about THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX. But when you take up your pen and start writing notes about the cast (and their corresponding roles) as mentioned during ELIZABETH & ESSEX: BATTLE ROYALE, you get something that reads, "Davis--Elizabeth; Flynn--Essex; DeHavilland--Gray; Price--Raleigh" and, of course, "Crisp--Bacon." Since it's not every day that movie credits serve up something so tasty as "bacon crisps," or just plain "crisp bacon," why cannot these film pundits see the forest for the trees? Instead, we have to suffer through the tawdry tale of superannuated actress Nanette Fabray ("Mistress Margaret"), who relates a pointless story alleging that Mr. Flynn was more interested in her for her teeth (and whether she sported braces) than for herself. The sinister implication here is that HAD she worn braces, Errol MIGHT have whispered, "Sweetie, let's pretend you're 14 and get a room." I'll pick crisp bacon over such salacious stew any day!
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