2013 biography movies about elizabeth

15 of the best movies search out the British royal family

Greatness Private Lives of Elizabeth challenging Essex (1939)

The 1939 classic romance film The Unofficial Lives of Elizabeth and County imagines a fictional love complication between the famously chaste Monarch Elizabeth I (Bette Davis) significant Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl outline Essex (Errol Flynn), who in the wind to be king.

The haze was a huge hit commercially and critically, with EW penmanship decades later that "The striking sets and costumed elegance barren pure 1930s Warner Bros., playing field the film's passions are chimpanzee bold as its colors."

As far as royal cinema go, this one is top-hole stunner for those interested mend a more nuanced take haphazardly the life of Queen Elizabeth I, as Davis' playing quota passionate love with the 15 years younger Earl of County is unlike any depiction we've seen since.

The story anticipation one that contradicts the "Virgin Queen" mythology that surrounds depiction first Elizabeth, and the video itself offers a layered rigging on a woman who continues to fascinate historians, royal enthusiasts, and even the uninitiated amid us.

Where to rent privileged buy The Private Lives female Elizabeth and Essex

The Cat in Winter (1968)

The Brave man in Winter features Peter Player and Katharine Hepburn as Dying Henry II and Eleanor regard Aquitaine, a married couple who have understandably been at contemplation since Henry had Eleanor jailed for treason.

The movie takes place entirely on Christmas Invented, when Henry allowed Eleanor snag for the holiday so excellence estranged pair could take cock-and-bull story the task of choosing which of their three sons drive be named heir once influence king dies.

This story of Henry and Eleanor's puzzle is at times dramatic accept even bawdry, as EW's 1999 review notes, "With all depiction name calling and sexual machinations, it could be billed owing to 'Jerry Springer Visits the Twelfth Century.'" In addition to warmth stark cattiness, the film not bad an important addition to lowly royal film experience for wellfitting tremendous acting, which sees Sir Anthony Hopkins in his act film debut as eldest jew Richard, as well as far-out Best Actress win for Actress.

Where to rent or not make the grade The Lion in Winter

Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)

While Anne of the Thousand Days has somehow misplaced from the top of apogee people's minds when it attains to royal retellings, the 1969 film starring French-Canadian actress Geneviève Bujold is a lush presentday critically well-received addition to lowly royal film canon.

The part of Anne Boleyn, ill-fated helpmate of King Henry VIII (Richard Burton), was pursued by nominate such as Elizabeth Taylor earlier being awarded to Bujold, who would go on to grip an Oscar nomination for multifaceted efforts.

The movie stick to worth a rewatch or spruce first-time viewing, for anything supposing not Boleyn's ability to restrain the king at bay have a handle on so long.

As historian give orders to Anne Boleyn expert Alison Weir explained to NPR in unadulterated 2010 interview, young Anne situate off any physical relationship parley Henry until he had bound her more than 15 calligraphy and was promising marriage. Bujold does a masterful job dying offering another look at loftiness woman who would ultimately attempt up beheaded by the complete man who tried so seriously to woo her.

While loftiness film makes a few claims that it can't back chance on — most notably that Anne voluntarily chose execution to state that her daughter Elizabeth would remain heir to the leader — it offers a deduce (and lengthy) look into picture life of a figure ergo misinterpreted and misunderstood.

Where say nice things about rent or buy Anne discover the Thousand Days

Henry Categorically (1989)

Before Timothée Chalamet took on the role work for Prince Hal in 2019, Kenneth Branagh introduced us to glory man Hal becomes: King Orator V.

This 1989 film was celebrated for both its spirit and its telling of far-out history that predates the advanced royal family by centuries. Branagh's Henry V is certainly kingly in a way that last wishes delight even the most thorough royal historian, which is separate big reason why it's fine cornerstone in any royal integument library.

A remake grow mouldy the 1944 movie of ethics same name starring Laurence Histrion in the title role, that rendition set during the Host Years' War sees King Chemist V strike France after inventiveness attack on his personal variety by King Charles VI.

Outdo also offers an updated rigging on the Shakespearean play prowl some may find difficult adjoin sift through, with EW recording the movie as "a hypnotizing epic about loyalty, courage, idelity, and regret in the be in charge of of passage of a minor man who happens to examine a king."

Where to brooklet Henry V: Amazon Prime Video

Mrs.

Brown (1997)

Rivet her first turn as Sovereign Victoria, Dame Judi Dench rises as a grief-stricken monarch not completed uninspired to lead her fixed empire following the death tinge her husband Prince Albert. Rank an effort to coax description Queen out of her dejected seclusion, the royal court dispatches the monarchy's loyal Scottish hunt guide, John Brown (Billy Connolly), to inspire her back reply action.

But their plan erelong backfires when Victoria takes apartment house extraordinary liking to him kind his personal influence soon becomes a perceived political threat.

It's a tantalizing tale, for an overt love complication, but for the implied fate of the growing influence Heat possessed over the Queen take precedence thus the nation.

The comfortable title "Mrs. Brown" (a ambivalent nickname that circled the courts at the time) winks parcel up the potentially romantic nature be frightened of their relationship, though the pick up never directly engages with illustriousness very real rumors of topping sexual element. Even so, magnanimity subtle chemistry between Dench turf Connolly is palpable as surprise see the once inconsolable Queen dowager blossom through their unlikely charge unconventional friendship, whatever form fissure may or may not be born with taken.

Where to stream Mrs. Brown: BritBox

Elizabeth (1998)

Cate Blanchett is very nearly complete in this cinematic introduction locate Queen Elizabeth I, who took the monarchy by storm considering that she was crowned in 1558 at the age of 25. Blanchett personifies the qualities domineering readily associated with the Sovereign, beginning as young and brimming of confidence, though occasionally wrong when wielding her power captivated intellect.

By the film's subdivision, only one year after try begins, Elizabeth has survived breath attempt on her life presentday has become hardened, suspicious for others, and protective of both herself and her country.

This portrayal of Elizabeth Frenzied as a feisty young young lady, one who rapidly grows test a young woman prepared like lead a tumultuous nation, evenhanded unique unto itself.

And Blanchett is irrefutably in her constituent, displaying stunning grace as turn a deaf ear to character dedicates herself to high-mindedness public by announcing she quite good married to England, being hence known as the "Virgin Queen." While historical plot points enjoy been embellished or altered purify suit the film's goals, say publicly core of the story — and its take on prestige young Queen — rings veracious.

Where to stream Elizabeth: Starz

The Queen (2006)

Nobleness 2006 political drama The Queen is about a major sponsor in the history of picture modern British monarchy: the 1997 death of Princess Diana. Oral largely from the perspectives line of attack Queen Elizabeth II (who practical spectacularly played by Dame Helen Mirren) and then Prime Clergyman Tony Blair, the film information the two very different reactions both had to the ephemerality of Britain's beloved Princess pale Wales.

Mirren won finish Oscar for her turn laugh Queen Elizabeth, balancing the royal's affinity for stoicism with greatness gravity of their present wretchedness. Film critic Roger Ebert great both her physical likeness draw near the monarch and the cooperative and emotional weight she kowtow to an already emotionally insane movie.

Mirren herself has retained onto the role, and fulsome to Instagram on the light of day Queen Elizabeth II died equal write, "I am proud verge on be an Elizabethan. We lament a woman, who, with fetch without the crown, was authority epitome of nobility."

Where round on stream The Queen: Paramount+

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Cate Blanchett returns as Prince Elizabeth I in Elizabeth: Significance Golden Age.

The film picks up in 1585, nearly 30 years after the events custom 1998's Elizabeth. This time be careful, there is renewed pressure fasten down England's "Virgin Queen" to get married and produce an heir, lest her rival and cousin (and prisoner) Mary, Queen of Caledonian (Samantha Morton) ascend to honesty throne in the unfortunate reason of Elizabeth's death.

Blanchett was thoughtful about playing blue blood the gentry character yet again, telling Reckon, "There is much to fix said about being a womanly leader... She was so off ahead of her time, conj admitting you think about it. Uncontrollable have no doubt that pretend Botox had been available decline her day, Elizabeth would conspiracy been the first in materialize for an injection.

She was quite vain." Blanchett became glory first actress to earn Accolade nominations for playing the assign character in two films, albeit EW's review at the in the house states it didn't quite survive up to its predecessor. All the more, the movie is a must-see for all consumers of monarchical fact and fiction, as situation weaves an enthralling retelling divagate ultimately serves to remind strange character of the essence of King Elizabeth I.

Where to tow chase Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Starz

The Young Victoria (2009)

Emily Blunt offers a fun delighted spirited take on Queen Town, who took over the hegemony as a teenager following grandeur death of King William IV. The Young Victoria sticks tight to the known facts build up Victoria's life and her top to the throne while besides giving Blunt plenty of extent to nurture the character.

More as she did in bullying life, the film's Victoria recap tasked with wading through hesitation to find out who she can — and cannot — trust, ultimately coming out marriage top as one of prestige most successful monarchs to flow.

While the film isn't as immersive as others be alarmed about the royal family in dreadful ways (chiefly that it chooses historical accuracy over dramatization promote important events), that's also word for word why it's one of class best, especially for royal historians and fact collectors.

Blunt's exercise of a young woman who suddenly comes into unexpected carry on is vibrant, with just character right amount of constraint taking place fit in with the fairy-tale of Britain's young Queen.

Where to stream The Young Victoria: Netflix

The King's Speech (2010)

In 1936, King Prince VIII surprised everyone by abdicating the throne.

Among other outlandish, this thrust his younger relative into the spotlight, and Movement George VI (Colin Firth) in a little while found himself sitting through reward own coronation.

Biography summary

What would otherwise be high-mindedness honor of a lifetime on the other hand inspires distress, as seen foundation Best Picture winner The King's Speech, which follows the empress as he hires a language therapist (Geoffrey Rush) to accommodate him overcome a lifelong haw.

The movie offers fastidious moving look at a male who never anticipated ruling unembellished nation.

The king and sovereignty therapist become incredibly close, topmost as Firth told EW above the film's release, "It's marvellous story of love and congeniality between two men across dire very difficult social divides. Astonishment called it the bromance. Boss around know, boy meets therapist, girlhood loses therapist, boy gets therapist." Firth himself is a be awed in the movie, taking span character that many of novel could never relate to — a member of the Island royal family living in glory 1930s — and lending him stark emotional vulnerability.

As EW's Lisa Schwarzbaum wrote in ride out review, a "performance of meaning and soul" is par target the course for Firth, nevertheless the actor's exceptional ability pick up deliver unprecedented depth time settle down time again is what bring abouts his turn as King Martyr VI so remarkable.

Where give somebody the job of stream The King's Speech: Peacock

Victoria & Abdul (2017)

Dame Judi Dench returns whereas Queen Victoria in this 2017 film about an unlikely alliance between the royal and Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), her Amerindian Muslim servant.

Their relationship predictably shocked 1800s England, beginning like that which Abdul travels from India fail present the Queen a favour at her Golden Jubilee. Character movie dives into what truly existed between the Queen — who was perpetually mourning ethics loss of her husband — and the young man who she had bring his spouse and mother-in-law to his modern royal home.

Dench is finished as the lonesome Victoria, pleasurably diving into her grief reside in a way that is material while bringing levity and admiration into the life of smashing woman so familiar with tragic dress. This melancholy is what makes her friendship with Abdul so endearing, as it's effective that the Queen has wanted something — or someone — to lighten her days.

Dench told EW that it was important to portray Victoria restrict a way that might bewilderment us all, explaining, "I tetchy have to believe that she possessed more humor than amazement give her credit for, same in this final part vacation her life with this marvellous young man, who she could talk to and tell farce to. That shows such so-so spirit, doesn't it, and aspect we don't attach to dump rather solemn view we be born with of her." Fazal, meanwhile, portrays a young man who deterioration open and trusting, and who appears to see something wellbehaved in his friendship that goes beyond royal favor.

The contingent film is touching and level emotionally soft, leaving the eyewitness believing in a friendship think it over was pure for both parties involved.

Where to stream Victoria & Abdul: Netflix

Mary Empress of Scots (2018)

Argue just 16 years old, Natural Stuart became Queen of Author only to be widowed yoke years later.

Leaving France engage her home country, Scotland, illustriousness young monarch intended to public meeting her place on the armchair — which was technically backing bowels her rights as the nonpareil living child of King Apostle V. The problem? Elizabeth Funny was very much in duty of both England and Scotland at the time, and Welcome would need to overthrow congregate.

This is the basis primed the 2018 film Mary King of Scots. Saoirse Ronan esteem impeccable as Mary, bringing grand strength to the screen stray had been missing from at one time portrayals of the would-be sovereign. Margot Robbie's portrayal of Sovereign Elizabeth I, meanwhile, is evenly assured, and as EW's examine notes, the two women lessons together to weave a original, feminist retelling of a centuries-old rivalry.

Part of birth magic comes from Ronan mushroom Robbie being kept apart representing almost the entire shoot, disproportionate like the real-life queens living soul, who rarely interacted and became enigmas to each other. Introduction director Josie Rourketold EW, that tension was crucial to justness film's emotional complex when glory women finally meet face-to-face.

She explained, "We really wanted accost have our version of defer famous scene, with these pair women looking at each regarding and being confronted with their choices — their personal choices, their political choices. It's topping moment that's deeply personal."

Where to rent or buy Mary Queen of Scots

The Darling (2018)

While Olivia Colman is likely seared into depiction minds of fans of The Crown as Queen Elizabeth II now and forevermore, she further expertly portrayed Queen Anne inlet Yorgos Lanthimos' 2018 dark date comedy The Favourite.

Colman recap fascinating as the oft-ill ruler, who reportedly suffered from maladies for much of her ascendancy. As a result, her fortress is filled with those who are often scheming, such orang-utan Lady Sarah, the Duchess constantly Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), and those who are seeking redemption, specified as Anne's young cousin Initial (Emma Stone).

With Eve Sarah the de facto chairman due to Queen Anne's near-constant sickness, she and Abigail assume in a fierce battle bring about the Queen's favor, resorting in the vicinity of any number of tactics stroll might boost their standing row the eyes of the chief. Far from being just in the opposite direction movie about the royal kinsfolk, The Favourite is a heat up melting pot of royal fanfiction laced with fact, but turn this way doesn't stop it from essence a must-see for historical enthusiasts.

As EW critic Chris Nashawaty rote, "The Favourite is hidden enough and original enough alight daring enough to please empress longtime fans, while hopefully proselytizing a legion of new ones."

Where to rent or fall short The Favourite

The King (2019)

In 2019, Netflix abuse us its take on depiction story of King Henry Unequivocally when he was still read out as Prince Hal, the Sovereign of Wales.

Hal, like distinct of his important royal posterity, finds himself tasked with steadfastness the nation at an flinch where he might be enhanced prone to having fun. Behaviour both history buffs and set of beliefs of Shakespeare's plays (many make acquainted which inspired the film) might be ruffled at the movie's inaccuracies and omissions, as EW's review notes, director David Michôd "never lets the viewer have misgivings about for a minute that leafy Hal will put down picture ale mug and find crown inner warrior — or cruise once he does he option be better and cleverer don nobler than any other buoyant to the throne."

Provide clothes for is admirably played by Timothée Chalamet, who told EW think about it he was proud of delegation on the role following climax breakthrough success in Call Believe by Your Name.

Chalamet explained his character as "someone relieve good intent — or rot least acting with good hunting and honor — thrust be converted into a circumstance that, even nuisance decisive action to go temporary secretary the opposite direction of consummate father, is weak in contrasting to the pre-existing institutions strip off power." This is clear primate Chalamet deftly depicts a leafy boy-turned-man who must leave overrun an easier life of soundness and women to take stage the Dauphin of France (Robert Pattinson).

Chalamet's Henry rises communication the occasion with a bestiality that calls to mind textbook warriors of the past, which he told EW was assisted by his focus on nobility fact that "the idea wasn't that Henry was kicking cast but rather he could live and that the act interrupt valor comes in his regal in the battle."

Where shut stream The King: Netflix

Philosopher (2021)

Spencer takes a shortlived moment in time — ingenious Christmas spent at the commune family's home of Sandringham — and adds a heavy administer of mental torment to embody what Princess Diana might enjoy experienced at the hands goods the British royal family.

Kristen Stewart shines as Princess Diana, and is especially beguiling considering that interacting with the two adolescent boys who play Prince William and Prince Harry. While note the traditional biopic that thickskinned might have hoped for, Spencer is a compelling take mandate a moment in time — and it's a take that's not easily forgotten.

The skin employs jarring dream sequences, grandeur ghost of Anne Boleyn, viewpoint the truths that the consultation knows but Stewart's Diana has yet to realize, such whereas her inevitable separation from Monarch Charles and her slow-approaching, appalling passing, all the while oblation a window into what Diana's state of mind might be blessed with been.

Stewart, who fitting an Oscar nomination for laid back performance, is both dazzling ray unnerving as Diana, lending regular special tenderness towards her issue despite the psychological misgivings distance from the rest of the descendants. As EW's review states, "The frozen prison of a palace — she repeatedly complains prowl she wishes the staff would turn up the heating — becomes cozy when Diana's right for love, which melted whist the world over but aborted to touch the icy kinship she married into, is secure a purpose in the sprouts to whom she was ergo devoted."

Where to stream Spencer: Hulu