Trailer Tuesday: Elizabeth - The Golden Age

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It's very unusual for an "arty" historical epic to be followed up with a sequel, but that's exactly what has happened with Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It's been nine years since the original Elizabeth was released. At the time the film won much critical acclaim, especially for a then little-known Aussie actress called Cate Blanchett. Now director Shekhar Kapur is back, along with an all-star cast that includes Clive Owen, Samantha Morton and Geoffrey Rush, to continue the story of Queen Elizabeth I.

After the first film depicted Elizabeth's personal sacrifices as she learnt what it was to be a queen ruling solo, The Golden Age focuses on new threats to Elizabeth's monarchy.


Extracted from the official plot synopsis:

Reprising the roles they originated in seven-time Academy Award®-nominated Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush return for a gripping historical thriller laced with treachery and romance - The Golden Age. Joining them in the epic is Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh, a dashing seafarer and newfound temptation for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age finds Queen Elizabeth I (Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett) facing bloodlust for her throne and familial betrayal. Growing keenly aware of the changing religious and political tides of late 16th century Europe, Elizabeth finds her rule openly challenged by the Spanish King Philip II (Jordi Molla)--with his powerful army and sea-dominating armada - determined to restore England to Catholicism.

As Elizabeth charts her course abroad, her trusted advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham (Academy Award® winner Geoffrey Rush), continues his masterful puppetry of Elizabeth's court at home - and her campaign to solidify absolute power. Through an intricate spy network, Walsingham uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne. But as he unmasks traitors that may include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton), he unknowingly sets England up for destruction.


I thoroughly enjoyed the first Elizabeth (I must rewatch it), and I'm really looking forward to The Golden Age. After playing Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, Blanchett (one of my favourite actresses) certainly seems to have channelled the legendary actress's fire again. And man, The Golden Age looks gorgeously shot.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is making its debut at the Toronto Film Festival (on at the moment), and will be released in North America on 12 October. Much of the rest of the world will get the film in November and December.

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