Your Reviews: Episode 1
Your Reviews for Episode 1:
"This surely must be an award winner."
|
"From the scenery and costumes to the brilliant acting, I was absolutely riveted. Everything about it shows the BBC Drama Department at its very best. This surely must be an award winner. I for one will vote for it as it one of the best dramas that the BBC has aired in a long time. Well done."
Liz Swales, Leeds
"Really gripping stuff. I didnt expect to enjoy this so much. That I did is credit to the excellent cast, in particular Anne-Marie Duff and Joanne Whalley. Elizabeth really came alive for me and seemed human, something other portrayals of her have failed in, or not set out to achieve. Very impressed. This and Bleak House have put that farcical mess Rome to shame."
James, Edinburgh
"My father will never watch a historical drama because 'he knows what happens in the end'. Deep down I sympathise, but as a history graduate feel I have to make the effort. I couldn't believe yet another drama had been made about The Tudors and particularly Elizabeth I.
When Joanne Whalley came on screen my husband said 'Is that Kathy Burke*?' Possibly the first time the two have been mistaken. But big squashy velvet hats off to the BBC, The Virgin Queen kept our attention to the end. The script gave a modern edge to the characters without stooping to corny slang (although Dexter Fletcher did sound a bit like a comedy cockney at the coronation). Anne-Marie Duff was perfectly believable and the hint of her relationship with Robert Dudley enticing enough to make me want to see how it is played out. And the music was enchanting, genuinely evoking the period in an original way."
Holly Fitzgerald, Tunbridge Wells
"History should not be made irrelevant in the face of artistic license."
|
"The BBC has shown a disappointing lack of historical accuracy. The events surrounding the death of Mary I were so altered as to be unrecognisable and it was difficult to distinguish one courtier from another. This Elizabeth does not yet display the self-confidence, courage and wit that helped her to survive in a perilous world. History should not be made irrelevant in the face of artistic license. I look forward to the other episodes with interest."
Patience, Edinburgh
"Since Mary I died on 17th of November 1558 and Elizabeth was proclaimed queen the same day, how come we see her running through a field in summer, with oak trees in leaf? The Virgin Queen was at times beautiful, but miscasting and locations which seemed like a bad English heritage educational video jarred the production. Anne Marie Duff hasn't the quality or passion as Cate Blanchett* or Glenda Jackson*. The writer needs a kick up the backside too."
Steve L, London
"I really enjoyed it. It entertained in many ways: it was at times gruesome, romantic, informative and visually delightful. The music has stayed in my mind all night. It was fascinating to watch how the treatment of Elizabeth by her sister created the resolve and independence she showed as a Queen. Anne-Marie Duff avoided all the clichés and big star treatments and played a real woman."
CLH, Ealing
"An absolute joy to watch."
|
"An absolute joy to watch and some genuinely good research has gone into the making of this programme. Even when the producers have not been able to use the original sites used by Elizabeth, notably the absence of the long since gone palace at Woodstock, they have come up with excellent substitutes, in this case Broughton Castle. The fear Elizabeth experienced, her interrogation regarding her 'involvement' in Wyatt's Rebellion and even the Oxford burnings have been well portrayed, yet not overly sensationalised or exaggerated. Well done, BBC "
John Barnett, Aylesbury
"Absolutely superb. A breathtaking drama. How the BBC continue to produce such quality time and time again is beyond belief. Will eagerly anticipate the DVD being released. Can you tell me if the music used during the programme is available on CD?"
Andrew Robinson, Warwickshire
"Anne-Marie Duff is a good choice for Elizabeth, she's not overglamorous and she portrayed the youthful Princess/Queen in her inexperienced stage very well. I look forward to the role changing as Elizabeth gets older. I felt disappointed with the costume and the sets, it felt low budget, which affected my enjoyment."
Clare Shaw, Yorkshire
"Dreadful, dreadful music. Entirely inappropriate but, no doubt, cheap. Why do directors spend time trying to get location, costumes and props accurate and then wash the whole lot in appalling music? Stupid."
Parker Lunt, Coventry
"I loved the music; it out shone this enjoyably trodden subject, giving it a depth that authentic music would not have. Martin Phipps'* combination of echoing guitars and Bulgarian voices is still ringing in my ears. Brilliant."
Ben Watkins, Brighton
"Anne-Marie Duff is an inspiration. She delivered a stunning performance and I can't wait to see more. The costumes, the eye for detail, the scenery, the music was so fitting. As you can tell, I loved the first episode."
Karen Lindley, Andover
"The casting is sublime, the locations are glorious, the sets and costumes are mesmerising."
|
"Utterly astounding opening episode. The casting is sublime, the locations are glorious, the sets and costumes are mesmerising. The entire sumptous production is wonderfully linked, even enhanced by the powerful and moving soundtrack. Can't wait until the next episode."
Paul Saxon-Shaw, Winchester
"I was riveted all the way through. I have read a lot of historical novels, biographies and text books, and found that this drama brought the characters very much to life. Whereas older films can be too sanitised, and modern interpretations are often too graphic
for general viewing, I found this just about right. You could almost feel the Princess' fear, frustration and edginess. Well done!"
Helen, Lancaster
"I was very disappointed to see Stephen Gardiner being sent to tell the young Elizabeth that she had become Queen three years after his death. Stephen Gardiner died in 1555 and Elizabeth didn't come to the throne until 1558. Why was such a breach of historical fact allowed to happen? Archbishop Stephen Gardiner was the Bishop of Winchester, a devote Catholic and prelate, but he was portrayed almost like a courtier in fashionable clothing and not the clerical vestments worn by the clergy of the times. Very misleading to those who are unfamiliar with this period in history."
Jackie Weller, Oxford
"Fantastic. Loved the fact that at this stage, despite her position, she still retains her youthful exuberance. At times it only just managed to stay the right side of Baz Luhrmann* territory but it got away with it. Generally feels very real. And dangerous. Which is great."
Julian Hills, Dublin
"No matter how sumptuous or well written, it is too hot on the heels of the Helen Mirren drama. Though I'm always interested in this period of history, swallowing up books on the subject, I just can't muster any enthusiasm for this. Doubtless I may appreciate the repeats or the DVD when it comes, but for now I can't help feeling I'm overdosing. Sorry! "
Helena Sullivan, Colchester
"Compulsive viewing for the next three Sundays."
|
"A refreshing new approach to a very well run story. I was not over excited at yet another attempt to re-hash once more the life of perhaps Britain's most famous Royal. How wrong I was. The first episode still managed to spellbind this viewer. I further believed - wrongly - that no new angle remained, and that, therefore, no new mileage was possible, wrong again on both counts. Well done BBC, you have hit the jackpot yet again. Compulsive viewing for the next three Sundays."
John Hayler, Monmouthshire
"I did wonder before watching this whether yet another retelling of Elizabeth's life was necessary, as so much has to be conjecture anyway. The huge series in the 1970s and more recent Channel 4 drama, plus many films have more than covered her life. But this was a breath of fresh air, bringing the story up-to-date with great music and good performances. The Tudors all make great TV!"
Tim Diggles, Stoke-on-Trent
"Was that Hever Castle in some of the exterior shots? I would prefer to see more horses."
Jules, Sevenoaks
read a synopsis of Episode One »
* Please note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
| |
Behind the Scenes
Rummage around the wardrobe department »
Preview Clip
Episodes
|
