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Rating:  - A Dated :Movie that Needs Updating and Editing in Modern Movie Making Terms
I gave the movie the Virgin Queen four stars because Bette Davis has always been a great actress in my eyes. Certainly Bette Davis was very great in this very old movie production, which in when you view the movie, you can detect that the production is a little nieve for 2005 movie standards. What was really interesting about the movie Virgin Queen is how Jone Colin's and Bette Davis seem to equally carry the movie, in complimenting each others acting ability. As a study in elizabethan history, the movie might just need some modern writers, as a movie for studies in acting and movie production for its time, its an excellent and wonderful experience in entertainment. I felt the movie ended to abruptly, meaning as the movie climaxed, I got the odd feeling that the director and writers could have added another hour to the movie plot. It would be wonderful to see this movie rewritten in modern terms with more considerations as to the life of Queen Elizabeth the first. But in my opinion Bette Davis, even over Glenda Jackson is about the best acting portrial I've ever seen of Elizabeth the First (would like to see Meryl Streep act Elizabeth the First). I am planning to order from Amazon.com another movie with Bette Davis called "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, again Bette Davis plays Elizabeth the first in a 1939 production...........excellent acting and directing.
Rating:  - Entertaining historical film
Historically, I don't know how accurate The Virgin Queen is, but it certainly seems so. Bette Davis was a great Elizabeth. In Bette's talented hands, Elizabeth comes alive as a strong, very wise queen, who was however vulnerable and prone to fits of rage and jealousy. Perhaps the jealousy caused her to do careless things, such as send Sir Walter Raleigh to the tower for execution when she learned of his illegal marriage to one of her ladies in waiting (an excellent Joan Collins in an early performance), but she was always fair and compassionate in the end.
The story concerns an Irish man, Walter Raleigh, who becomes a good friend of the queen and is eventually Knighted. He longs to sail for the new word and bring back valuable riches. It takes Raleigh a long time to convince Elizabeth, but eventually she gives him one ship. However, a problem is presented when Raleigh falls in love with Beth (Joan Collins), because the queen has grown rather fond of him and forbids the marriage. Raleigh marries Beth, and they plan to sail together, but when the news reaches the queen she sends him to the tower of London. Not only does the act of jealousy hurt Raleigh, but also Beth and her unborn child. Elizabeth comes to realize this and, in an act of great compassion and fairness, she releases Raleigh and his bride to sail for the new world together. In a tender moment, she remembers herself once being a child who was brought to cry because of the executioner's blade.
The Virgin Queen is not only notable for its lavish Cinemascope production, which proved "Bette's black years" (the 1950s) weren't really so black, but also for its fine performances and script. Queen Elizabeth emerges as a truly great lady, with a human need for love and a very forgiving heart. If the queen was as admirable as the character presented here, one truly understands the meaning of "long live the queen."
All in all, a very good film!
Rating:  - Horrible... Just Horrible...
This movie definitely places very high on my "The worst movies I have ever seen in my life" list.. Absolutely horrific acting to the point of laughablilty. I was expecting AT LEAST some good acting in this film since Bette Davis is an incredibly acclaimed actress. In her attempts to show wit or spice, she looks completely ridiculous. And let's not forget about her completely inconsistant English accent. Just acting wise alone, this movie is a disaster. If you want to see some GOOD historical movies see Lady Jane Grey, Anne of the Thousand Days (some amazing acting in this film), The Elizabeth R series, Elizabeth (starring Cate Blanchett), Mary Queen of Scots, Mad Love, and or even the The Private Life of Henry VIII.
Rating: - Wonderful Movie!!!!!
If you like Bette Davis,you'll love this movie! Now,it's not as good as Elizabeth and Essex,But it's a great davis movie for any fan of Davis or Elizabeth!I would strongly reccomend it!
Rating: - BLAH!
This movie was a terrible dissapointment to me. After reading the reviews of this movie on numerous websites including this one, it truely sounded like a movie worth matching. I can't believe how horrible this movie is! Bette Davis has done the worst portrayal of Elizabeth the first that i have ever seen! The script is quite witty, but Bette Davis either over acts or under acts. She can't even uphold the accent for more than one line!I can't even tell you how may times a burst out laughing while watching this movie due to acting that is soo bad that some of the school plays that I have seen in the past has acting that blows this movie away.I would give this no stars if I could.Defintly do not see this movie if you are expecting a wonderful depiction of Queen Elizabeth the first, because you defintly aren't going to get it. If you want to see some good portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I, see the Elizabeth R series staring Glenda Jackson, or the more recent Elizabeth staring Cate Blanchett.
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