This is the England of 1554, but the veneer of traditional English composure and dignity has been stripped away. The British populace is in turmoil. Fearing a challenge to her throne, Queen Mary I imprisons her half-sister, Princess Elizabeth Tudor (The daughter of King Henry VII and Anne Boleyn), in the Tower of London.

But, in 1558, when "Bloody Mary" dies, Elizabeth is swept onto the throne and, at the age of 25, is crowned Queen of England. In order to survive, let alone to rule, Elizabeth must suss out hidden agendas: the Court is rife with intrigue; military strategists are risking the lives of young Englishmen; religious leaders at home and abroad place no faith in her; and the man she loves might not be worthy of her trust. The male-dominated ruling class would appear to have the advantage, but intelligent Elizabeth will deploy whatever means necessary to keep, or take what''s rightfully hers.

Directed by
Shekhar Kapur

Cast
John Gielgud - The Pope
Geoffrey Rush - Sir Francis Walsingham
Richard Attenborough - Sir William Cecil
Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth I
Fanny Ardant - Mary of Guise
Terence Rigby - Bishop Gardiner
Christopher Eccleston - Duke of Norfolk
Amanda Ryan - Lettice Howard
Kathy Burke - Queen Mary Tudor
James Frain - Alvaro de la Quadra
Jamie Foreman - Earl of Sussex
Edward Hardwicke - Earl of Arundel

Production Co.
Elizabeth Films
Film Four Limited
WT2

Produced by
Juliette Dow
Alison Owen
Eric Fellner

Studio
Gramercy Pictures

Writer
Michael Hirst

Music
David Hirschfelder