“Elizabeth”, 1998
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this film stars Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I of England and focuses on her early years as queen, facing internal political conspiracies and external threats to consolidate her rule and establish the English Protestant church.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough, Christopher Eccleston, Kathy Burke, Fanny Ardant, Vincent Cassel, Eric Cantona, Emily Mortimer;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Elizabeth” on the website imdb.com
“The King's Speech”, 2010
Director: Tom Hooper
Directed by Tom Hooper, this film stars Colin Firth as King George VI and focuses on his unexpected ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped him overcome his stammer.
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Anthony Andrews, Michael Gambon, Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“The Favourite”, 2018
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this film is set in early 18th-century England and describes the power struggle and emotional dynamics between Queen Anne, played by Olivia Colman, her confidante Sarah Churchill, and a new servant vying for the Queen's attention.
Starring: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss, Emma Delves, Faye Daveney, Paul Swaine, Jennifer White;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Favourite” on the website imdb.com
“A Man for All Seasons”, 1966
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Directed by Fred Zinnemann, this film portrays the conflict between Sir Thomas More and King Henry VIII over the latter's separation from the Catholic Church and the subsequent establishment of the Church of England.
Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave, Colin Blakely;
Production year: 1966;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “A Man for All Seasons” on the website imdb.com
“Gladiator”, 2000
Director: Ridley Scott
Directed by Ridley Scott, this film, while focused on the Roman Empire, features important scenes and characters involved with Roman Britain. The protagonist Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, begins his journey in the film as a general fighting in Britain.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: history, action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 155 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “Gladiator” on the website imdb.com
“Shakespeare in Love”, 1998
Director: John Madden
Directed by John Madden, this romantic comedy-drama provides a fictional account of William Shakespeare's life as he writes “Romeo and Juliet.” It offers a whimsical look at the end of the 16th century in England.
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Jim Carter, Martin Clunes, Antony Sher;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Shakespeare in Love” on the website imdb.com
“Henry V”, 1989
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, this adaptation of William Shakespeare's play covers the events around the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War.
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Christian Bale, Robbie Coltrane, Alec McCowen;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Henry V” on the website imdb.com
“The Madness of King George”, 1994
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted from the play “The Madness of George III,” this film explores the deteriorating mental health of King George III and the political turmoil that followed.
Starring: Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Rupert Graves, Amanda Donohoe, Rupert Everett, Geoffrey Palmer, Julian Wadham, Jim Carter, Julian Rhind-Tutt;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Madness of King George” on the website imdb.com
“Becket”, 1964
Director: Peter Glenville
Directed by Peter Glenville, this film stars Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O'Toole as King Henry II, and depicts the transformation of Becket from a loyal chancellor to an Archbishop who stands up to the king's authority.
Starring: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi, Paolo Stoppa, Donald Wolfit, David Weston, Martita Hunt, Pamela Brown, Percy Herbert;
Production year: 1964;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Becket” on the website imdb.com
These films, among others, provide engaging views into the vast tapestry of English history, often bringing to life the compelling stories of its kings, queens, and various historical figures.
In conclusion, the captivating journey through England's tumultuous past as depicted in film offers a lush tapestry of stories that meld fact with fiction to illuminate the complexities and nuances of the nation's history. From the regal portrayals in “The Favourite” to the gritty realism of “The King,” these films showcase the dynamic figures and events that have shaped the country's identity through the ages. They demonstrate the power of cinema to breathe life into historical narratives, inviting audiences to not only witness but to feel the pulse of the past. Whether it's through epic battles, political intrigue, or the intimate struggles of monarchs and commoners alike, films about English history serve both as reflections on the human condition and as vessels for preserving the collective memory of a people and their enduring legacy.
