Parents' Guide to

Elizabeth

By Shannon Lucas, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Mature, visceral depiction of a turbulent reign.

Movie R 1998 124 minutes
Elizabeth Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Snake707
Snake707 Adult
December 15, 2020
age 14+

British film with weaknesses

UK film with weaknesses in acting and direction. Parents should expect some very gruesome scenes. The film opens with a burning of heretics at the stake which is very drawn out. The outgoing queen is close to madness and very volatile. There is alot of political intrigue ending with many deaths. Apart from the burning at the stake the violence is not acted out in most cases. It usually comes intermittent and is short. A notable exception is a camera pan after a battle in scotland which shows numerous soldiers lying dead or dying on the ground. Some have limbs cut-off, on others brain on his backside is exposed (I'd say that is somewhat of a close-up), others have intestines and viscera exposed. There is a beheading (not acted out) and several cut throats. The film sexualizes its characters somewhat. There are several sex scenes. One notable is intertwined with the arrest and assassination of traitors, which some may think sends bad messages. The scenes deliberately try to be erotic (dimly lit, music, camera pans, moaning, fully nude and slow thrusting, caressing, undressing, ...) The score of the film is derived from church music of the era and adds to a eerie atmosphere through-out. Most regulators have given this a 16+. Notable exception was Germany with a 12+. Considering the disembowelments, exposed brains and burning at the stake, this film may be suited to 14+.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
crankylibrarian
crankylibrarian Parent
January 3, 2014
age 15+

Brilliant film, but for older teens and adults only

I tried showing this to my 12 year old: MISTAKE!! From the burning at the stake of 3 heretics in the opening scene, through the numerous beheadings and dismemberments soon to follow, this was NOT a movie for anyone without an extremely strong stomach. Brilliantly acted and with a gripping story, and a remarkable, real life heroine. it's worth waiting for, but not for youngsters.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ELIZABETH depicts the transformation of a young, naïve, in-love princess into one of history's greatest, and at times most ruthless, rulers. Set in a period of great religious and political turmoil, the movie opens with a gruesome scene of three people being burned alive for their Protestant religious views. The Protestant Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) takes the throne after the death of her Roman Catholic sister, Queen Mary (Kathy Burke). Her religious beliefs, along with a desire to solidify alliances with other nations, lead to much intrigue in her court, including attempts on her life. Her one true love, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), interferes with her court advisers who wish to have her marry one of England's allies. Only after the ruthless decision to eliminate all of her enemies does Queen Elizabeth ensure total control.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (7):

This well-done dramatic biography accurately depicts the great ruler's life, but it's not for the faint of heart. Cate Blanchett's superb acting skills demonstrate the emotional evolution that Elizabeth might have undertaken as she ascended to the throne in such turbulent times. Director Shekhar Kapur develops the tension of the times in a way that never lets the audience completely relax. From the first scene of martyrs being burned through the war with the Scots and all of the murders of her enemies, one gets the sense that these were times in which few could be trusted. Despite its qualities as a fine film, Elizabeth is too mature and violent for younger viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the concept of an enlightened ruler and what methods are acceptably employed to remain in control of a nation for the good of the people. How did Elizabeth's actions "for the good of the people" affect ordinary citizens? What do you think constitutes a good reason to go to war? The biographical nature of the film may also spark conversations about this historically significant period, as Elizabeth was the last of the Tudor line monarchy. Families may want to discuss the capable nature of women in power as evidenced by Elizabeth's reign, which was considered the Golden Age in England. Finally, families could talk about the power that religion has had over people and nations occasionally even driving them to war.

Movie Details

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