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| | From:  Linda_J9 (Original Message) | Sent: 6/2/2008 2:11 AM |
In a post a few days/weeks ago, someone (sorry, I don't recall who) said that they think Cate Blanchett is the ultimate screen Elizabeth. I must disagree! I have the 1970s Elizabeth R series on video, and watch it every 18 months or so. I've just started my latest round of re-viewing, and I am reminded again of how extremely well done the series is, even though you can tell that it was taped on a fairly limited budget. The costumes are pretty good, but the sets and scenery just can't compare to the more recent versions of Elizabeth's life -- the Cate Blanchett films, or the Helen Mirren series. But Glenda Jackson will always be THE Elizabeth to me. She rants, she rages, she flirts, she despairs, she laughs in triumph, and she toys with every man in sight -- she's magnificent. Glenda Jackson brings such strength to the role -- her Elizabeth is a truly formidable (and, at times, frightening) presence, and yet can be very feminine and vulnerable at other times. And the humour! The scene where the doctor tells that young Elizabeth that she has small pox is priceless. On the other hand, Robert Hardy's portrayal of Leicester leaves much to be desired -- he's too much strut and bluster, and not enough substance. He's all tics and mannerisms, and striking Jolly Green Giant poses in those tight leggings and thigh-high boots. Now Jeremy Irons, on the other hand, in the Helen Mirren series, was fabulous -- style AND substance, with a quiet strength and obviously a true, deep love of Elizabeth. One could easily imagine that such a man could capture and hold Elizabeth's attention for many years. Maybe the truth is that for each of us, whichever book, TV series, or movie about the Tudors first drew us into that world is the one that holds a special place for us forever. Hmmm -- it's not a very nice thought that young ones today might fall in love with the Tudors based on that ridiculous series with Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. What a rude shock they'll have when they start reading the history of what REALLY happened!! But what does everybody else think? Linda |
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Following Turquoisewind's suggestion, here is my best and worst Tudors on screen lists. Best  Henry VIII - Keith Michell Catherine of Aragon - Frances Cuka Anne Boleyn - Genevieve Bujold or Charlotte Rampling Catherine Howard - Lynne Frederick Catherine Parr - Clare Holman Wolsey - David Suchet Cromwell - Danny Webb Cranmer - Bernard Hepton Norfolk - Michael Gough Elizabeth I - Helen Mirren Thomas More - Paul Schofield Worst  Henry VIII - Jonathan Rhys Meyers (even less believable than Ray Winstone) Anne Boleyn - Helena Bonham Carter (not the merest hint of a french accent) Jane Seymour - Jane Asher (just annoying) Elizabeth I - Catherine McCormack (in Gunpowder, Plot and Treason - to be fair, the script was so bad she didn't have much to work with) What's everyone else's bests and worsts?  |
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But Muckypup, you didn't mention who you like/don't like as Leicester! Why do producers seem to have such difficulty casting Leicester with an actor who can do him justice? I thought Joseph Fiennes was OK in the first Cate Blanchette film, but not really anything to write home about. I've already said my piece about Robert Hardy in Elizabeth R. Why not . . . Alan Rickman (<*swoon*>)? Or maybe . . . Daniel Craig (<*swoon again*>)? Wait, I've got it -- Clive Owen, but give him something to work with this time. Any other suggestions? |
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Am I mistaken or did'nt Bette Davis play Elizabeth I also? Anyway...I did'nt get why she over stated the ay Elizabeth walked. To me, it was a bit overly done in that movie. |
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Yes she did play Elizabeth in two movies I believe "SeaHawk" and "Elizabeht and Essex" I think that's the names of them. What a hoot! She walked like she had steel rods tied to both legs and one up her bum! Most of her movements were knee jerky. Maybe it was the costuming. Anyway she had the temperament but not the style. Tudorgalusa |
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Lol, I have only seen Jeremy Irons play Leicester, and I thought he was great . My Elizabeth R box set is in the post though, so my answer may change!  |
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I SMOKED as Queen Lizzie! I played her the best! My star was so bright, I outshined all the rest! I played her so well, and I did it so nice That I ended up playing her not once, but twice! Thirty-nine was the year when I played the broad first, Errol Flynn was my Essex, and he was the worst!
I hated his guts, but he loved himself lots, And we faked the romance and I hope that he rots! I wanted an Oscar for playing my Bess, But Scarlett showed up in a sexy red dress! She stole it from me right before my own eyes And I laughed when Miss Vivian curls up and dies. So I played Bess again in the year Fifty-five As the old Virgin Queen when she was still alive! Richard Todd was my Raleigh, much better than Flynn Lizzie lifted her skirt but he wouldn't come in! He knocked up her lady! She got really mad And she banned them from court because she had been had! No Oscar again! I was fit to be tied! "You'll cry tomorrow", Susan Hayward replied. |
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Could you tell me where you ordered it from as the BBC don't have them all at the moment, and i'm promised it for my birthday. Any one think that Pierce Brosnan would make a good Leicester. |
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I order most of my Tudor films from Amazon.com. I know you can get all of the series there. Tudorgalusa |
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Any one think that Pierce Brosnan would make a good Leicester. Pierce Brosnan would make a good ANYTHING!!!!!!! Sigh............. |
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I AGREE, I have an opening at the moment for a " Gigolo " wonder if he would be interested HA HA. Oh well back to the ironing, Great picture of him by the way. Ps. Thanks for info about Amazon will check it out. Adios. |
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No Oscar nomination for Lizzie had I Instead my Dark Victory gave it a try But I was a loser to Vivien Leigh She was just simply much better than me! I tried out for Scarlett, I gave it a try I even screen tested! A big star like I! Instead Warner Brothers churned out Jezebel A bargain basement Scarlett from Hell A southern pot boiler..it tried to play spoiler But failed in the attempt...as history will tell |
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I like Muckypup's lists. I have never seen Gunpowder, Plot and Treason. At least Ray Winstone looked the part - JRM could have done a voiceover and we would have had a decent Henry. Going to the Wayback Machine (Mr. Peabody), I do love Elsa Lanchester as Anna of Cleves in The Private Life of Henry VIII (yes, I know it was a little silly) and Charles Laughton was the best Henry until Keith Michell. I just couldn't see Richard Burton as Henry VIII - Welsh or not, he was just Richard Burton playing Henry VIII. I did not like anybody in TOBG although I did go and reasonably liked it since I knew what I was getting into. HATED that Henry. I am watching Showtime Tudors and at least JRM is pleasant to watch strutting around. The guy playing Thomas Boleyn creeps me out and I don't like Cramner, but otherwise, most male characters (Wolsey, Cromwell, More, etc.) are pretty good and Brandon, well, he's just PRETTY! Katherine of Aragon didn't look the part, but she is a good actress and Anne was believable. Also, it was nice seeing some other minor characters fleshed out that we have never seen much before such as Bessie Blount, Mark Smeaton, etc. |
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Linda J9, I agree with everything you said! And Painter, man, you slay me! Someone is trying to move into your territory but alas, you rock. |
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Well Kira...nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think that anyone can try their hand at rhyme and even though I agree with you that Painter is THE MAN..this someone just thought to give it my very humble (obviously) attempt. Sorry to disappoint. :) |
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