Elizabeth 1998

Elizabeth 1998

This film, out in 1998, written by Michael Hirst and directed by Shekhar Kapur, is based upon the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, although has been romanticised greatly. With a brutal beginning and harsh storyline throughout, the film gives the audience an insight to what the world was like during the 1550's and how death and murder occurred everyday caused by the people of the church and in power. 

Throughout the film you see the transformation of Elizabeth, how she was portrayed as a young free spirited being, natural and fresh faced. She was 25 and lived a peaceful life with her servant ladies. We see her dancing and playing in a field with her servants showing a close relationship with her lover 'Robert Dudley'. We get this impression from her by the way her face is lit up, and her hair falls down around her shoulders to portray her freedom. Her hair was simple, she didn't want to be noticed, her beliefs would have gotten her killed if she tried tied to promote them. Being the daughter of the King it is hard to go unnoticed, due to this she wore her hair down, simple, and dressed down, she didn't wear many jewels or wear extravagant makeup.

Once transformed she had to change to become a strong and fierce Queen, able to rule over her people and council; who were men and thought her incapable of keeping her thrown without a man by her side. Her face was stern and her eye brows plucked to almost nothing, it was also the fashion to pluck away at the hair line to give a larger forehead; this symbolised great beauty and intelligence. Shades of red hair became popular to look more attractive and fierce, like Elizabeth. Makeup used then was made from vinegar and white lead, various dies such as cochineal was used to redden the cheeks and lips. Her hair was neat with tight little curls and plats, pulled away from her face. The symbolic importance of this is to make the audience believe her transformation. She looked fierce and very much like the real Queen Elizabeth 1. 

Fully aware that everyone would now be looking at her, giving her attention, looking up to her and she would never be alone again; she needed to be perfect, she wore extravagant jewels and very bright colours to not only stand out but to amaze and show off her rich and powerful new life.   

I think there was some influence from the directors culture in the film, it was very romanticised and the costumes almost had an indian twist to them. Shekhar Kapur is known for his work in Hindi films and although has created a very accurate and historical film I believe the costumes portray a dark and indian style. 

Once Queen she was constantly encouraged and advised to marry, either the French or Spanish, to benefit themselves with money, power and allies. This is an important factor in her transformation; at first she is unsure and listens to the advice but swayed by her own inner strength to reign on her own and the love she has for Robert, she decides not to marry. This shows us she can be strong and think for herself without a large council of men telling her what to do. This portrayal of Elizabeth is an accurate one, from history I have found that Elizabeth had to learn to become Queen, building on it everyday, in the end she changed considerably and initiated the Golden age. 

Religion plays a huge part in this film, originally a Catholic ruled nation buy her sister. Once Queen, Elizabeth pushes her beliefs and changes the council to run in her favour; Protestant, making the two churches become one. Her transformation is much based upon religion, she desires to be like the virgin Mary. Throughout the film we see huge halls and rooms filed with statues of religious figures and high pillars like a church, Mary is positioned as one of the main statues; hair covered, white and flawless. Her inspiration for the white makeup and a porcelain finish comes from this statue of Mary, towards the end we see her crying at the feet of Mary looking up to her, one of her advisors explains no one can compare or be above the virgin Mary, she then changes her appearance and approaches her subjects.   

During the film her makeup and the makeup of all the women was very plain, it was realistic and showed the audience what it was like to live during those times without the range of products we have today. All the actresses looked like natural beauties; pale skin, small eye brows, and hair neatly tied back into rings of plats. The ending scene with Elizabeth, when she had truly become the Queen that was needed, we see her having her hair cut off and wearing a white gown with a very white made up face, she says; 'I have become a virgin, married to England' she transformed. She proved that after another 40 years of being the Queen, no man was needed to rule with her. After her reign England was one of the most powerful and rich countries of their time.

Pictures from www.kitsmatics.wordpress.com and www.journeysinclassicfilms.com
Information taken from watching Elizabeth 1