Directed by the American William K. Howard and produced by Erich
Pommer this was England taking on Hollywood at their own game; an
expensive all-star swashbuckling period piece with just enough
propaganda to make it relevant to a country that, within two years,
would be at war. It's a gorgeous looking picture, beautifully designed
and superbly photographed by none other than James Wong Howe, making
great use of both blacks and whites in the overall palette, (and how it was overlooked in both these categories at the Oscars I find it hard to believe).
Future real-life spouses Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh are the
young lovers though neither gets star billing. That's reserved for Flora
Robson as Elizabeth I and very good she is, as well as Leslie Banks as
Robert Dudley. Raymond Massey is Philip of Spain and James Mason has a
small role as a spy and there's a nice performance from Morton Selten as
Lord Burleigh. It was, of course, a huge hit yet it isn't much seen
these days which is a pity, for while it does err on the dull side on
occasions, (a tighter script might have helped), overall it is very
enjoyable.
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