The Virgin Queen (1955)

Memorable, crazy movie

Best movie ever!

A Brilliant Conflict

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

After repeatedly getting a very sorry eyeful of Miss Bette Davis as "The Virgin Queen", it sure got me to thinking that, if this particular queen really looked and carried on like this snivelling cow, then it was no wonder that she remained a virgin.I mean, not only did Davis physically resemble that of an anaemic munchkin, but her character came across to me like some sort of reigning, male-castrating, bull-dyke who was clearly nothing but a repulsive eyesore to any sane man with eyes in his head (with, of course, the exception of that royal ass-kisser, Sir Walter Raleigh).And, speaking about "queens" - I sure thought that most of the high-ranking dukes, lords, earls (whatever) who hung out in Elizabeth's imperial court were, without a doubt, the biggest, the snottiest, most bitchiest, back-stabbing queens imaginable. They really were.In my opinion - 1955's "The Virgin Queen" was a very stagy and, yes, very stuffy costume drama. And, (in typical Hollywood style) it was the inaccurate retelling of history that inevitably reduced this production to the level of being a decidedly tiresome soap opera, punctuated generously by some of the most pompous, unintentionally laughable dialogue that this viewer has ever heard.Anyway - Besides Bette Davis, this "less-than-thrilling" production also starred Richard Todd and Joan Collins.

I cannot help but be disappointed by the reviews this movie has thusfar received in IMDb, but not surprised. With respect to Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, neither of those ladies can hold a patch on the brilliant Bette Davis, perhaps the greatest actress ever, as the immortal Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps the greatest monarch that England ever knew. Whether or not the movie is weak history, the movie shines as a vehicle for La Davis. Richard Todd gives a decent performance, although I submit he has neither the acting chops nor the charisma of Errol Flynn. But he serves well in the role. The costumes, cinematography and screenplay are bright and arresting. And like it or not, Bette Davis' brilliant, mannered, and astoundingly powerful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I has informed every ensuing depiction of the Virgin Queen

"The Virgin Queen" was the second film in which Bette Davis played Queen Elizabeth I of England. The first was "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex", made when Davis was a young woman in her early thirties, even though it is set during a period during which the historical Elizabeth would have been in her sixties. "The Virgin Queen" displays a greater concern for accuracy, at least as far as the Queen's age is concerned; it is ostensibly set in 1581 when Elizabeth would have been 48, around the same age as Davis was in 1955, although the events it describes actually took place several years after that date. Like "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" it deals with the relationship between the Queen and one of her favourites, in this case Sir Walter Raleigh. Although the film is generally classified as a historical drama, it can in fact be seen as a romantic comedy in period dress and observes most of the conventions of that genre. It would be easy to update the plot to a modern setting; "Walt, an up-and-coming young executive with ambitious plans for expanding the business, has caught the eye of his formidable lady boss Elizabeth, but he only has eyes for her attractive young assistant". For the business expansion plans, read Raleigh's ambitions to found English colonies in the New World, and for the attractive young assistant read the Queen's maid of honour Elizabeth Throckmorton, here generally referred to as "Beth" to distinguish her from her monarch. (I doubt if anyone ever referred to the Queen as "Beth", at least not to her face). Of course, a sixteenth-century rom-com has an extra edge over a twenty-first century one in that the penalty Walt might face for a wrong step is not the sack but the loss of his head. The film's most distinctive feature is its visual style; the background colours are fairly muted, but bright primary colours, especially reds and blues, stand out in the foreground, giving it something of the look of a painting. The clothes of the wealthy classes of this period tended to be sumptuous, so it is perhaps not surprising that the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. That apart, there is little about the film which really makes it stand out. It does not really represent Davis' best work when compared to earlier films such as "Jezebel" or "The Letter". Nevertheless, as a historical romance it is a very enjoyable one. Richard Todd plays Raleigh as a dashing hero in the Errol Flynn-Stewart Granger tradition, and the lovely Joan Collins makes a splendidly spirited heroine as Beth. (It is a misconception that Collins could only play villainesses; in her early days she was often cast as the heroine). This is the sort of film that makes entertaining, if undemanding, watching on a wet Sunday afternoon. 6/10

Bette Davis gives an amazing performance of England's Queen Elizabeth the 1st. Still a virgin as an older woman (in this version), the determined & dedicated Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh. But, in a secret ceremony on a night that the Queen's own hand maiden (a very young looking Joan Collins) seduces Raleigh, just when he doubts himself. Believing he failed to impress the Queen enough for her to grant him 3 ships, he marries Collins & impregnates her.To the surprise of Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth is most impressed by him & summons him to her bedroom where she knights him, Sir Walter Raleigh. Then, gives him one ship. Now he's in a fix between two women enamored with him.There's much more to the story. Watching Davis & Collins together is quite the contrast in acting styles. Although the "Dynasty" Collins is much more like Davis as the Queen: temperamental, shrewd, demanding, and impeccable with the delivery of an excellent script, juxtaposed as the two actors are in this film, it's quite obvious how Davis & Collins take a great deal of care with their difference delivery styles of speech.This film made me prefer Davis' Queen Elizabeth the 1st over other characterizations. I can't imagine a living actress who could become this particular staged Queen, as well as does Davis. (And I have watched Cate Blanchett). After all it's a tall order to go into role better than Bette Davis.