Your Reviews: Episode 4
Your Reviews for Episode 4:
"I don't have enough superlatives in my vocabulary to do this series justice. Yes, it was riddled with historical inaccuracies, but this was not a history lesson. It was drama at its absolute best. Gripping, emotional and full of life. Anne-Marie Duff brought such passion to the role that many times I was utterly lost in the depth of her portrayal. And the music was truly inspired and evoked such emotion. The Hallelujah chorus at the moment of Elizabeth's passing was a fantastic example of how excellent music juxtaposed with powerful imagery creates a truly memorable scene. More like this, BBC, more!"
Kevin Bennett, Newton Abbot
"A truly remarkable account of England's most popular and greatest Monarch."
|
"The episode was fantastic, with some fine acting and the make-up was superb. A special mention to the scene when Esssex bombards into Elizabeth's Bed Chamber. It was always going to be difficult to portray Elizabeth's relationship with Essex and his end in an hour, but I think it was handled very well. Though was Essex's mother Lettice Knolly's a big influence on Essex as the drama suggests? I for one have never heard of this. Also I think it would have been good to show Essex's time in court. All in all this was a truly remarkable account of England's most popular and greatest Monarch, and one that deserves high recognition."
Hayley Clarke, Reading
"In many ways this was the least satisfactory episode, as not enough about Essex's rebellion was explained - and I never thought of him as a Mummy's boy! Most surprisingly, although Elizabeth's old age make up was superb, Anne-Marie Duff made no attempt to differentiate her voice from that in Episode 1."
Ruth, Gloucestershire
"How fantastic! The music by The Mediaeval Baebes just added further enchantment to the whole series. I shed a little tear when Elizabeth was listening to the musicians and saw herself in younger years, smiling and holding hands with her Robbie, so magical. Another 10 out of 10 for the BBC."
Michael, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
"Who could fail to fall for the gorgeous Tom Hardy?"
|
"The Virgin Queen was a sumptous production reminiscent of the no-expense-spared drama productions of the 1970s. The only difference being that it would have been eight episodes in those days.
The costumes were stunningly recreated, my only criticism was of the prosthetic make up which made Elizabeth and Lettice almost indistinguishable. Who could fail to fall for the gorgeous Tom Hardy as royal favourite Robert Dudley? Although I think he could have aged a bit more for his final scenes. Although he was only in his early 50s when he died, his portraits reveal a man with grey hair and beard and Tom Hardy still seemed to exude his boyish charm until his last breath.
Anne-Marie Duff was an inspired choice for Elizabeth and combined her strength of character with her weakness for attractive young men like Essex. The last scenes were very moving as she seemed to lose her grasp of her Kingdom as the court was overtaken by young blood. "
Barbara Farris, Harpenden, Herts
"Yes, there were some historical inaccuracies, and yes they played with the order of events, but so what! They made a story that has almost been done to death absolutely riveting. It felt right; the actors were superb, the costumes fantastic, and the music just added to the ambiance.
We all know of Elizabeth's skill and strength as a monarch, but this portrayal really brought her to life for me and demonstrated that this woman had the normal human emotions that we all do. Well done to the BBC, no one can do drama like you can."
Wendy, Warwickshire
"I've really enjoyed The Virgin Queen but found myself disappointed with the rushed ending - 'Essex is beheaded - the Queen dies - end of series'. After such a wonderful in-depth look into Elizabeth's life, I found her final days to be too rushed and unworthy of a series which began with great promise."
Gemma Hall, Derbyshire
"I thought this was a very moving end to what has been a fantastic series. I felt quite sorry for Elizabeth in her final years as she had lost those close to her and had turned into an old lady. Well done to all the cast and the rest of the team especially to Anne-Marie Duff who was exceptional. The costume and make-up were very clever, and the music was beautiful."
Judy and Alison Drabble, Lincolnshire
"The historical innacuracies were annoying."
|
"Generally the production was very good, especially the make-up and locations. Anne-Marie Duff was excellent, despite missing the essential 'bite' that was Elizabeth. The historical innacuracies were annoying and while it's true that the BBC is there to produce great drama, I believe there are no excuses for such innacuracies - in any case they were unnecessary in this period, since the realities were exciting enough.
It is also a shame that various areas were handled shoddily, for example, Mary Queen of Scots was glossed over in favour of a (patronising) emphasis on Elizabeth's favourites. While it was true that in the latter years of Elizabeth's life many of her courtiers were waiting for a new reign, in The Virgin Queen this was dealt with through the use of the irritating ladies-in-waiting who played their parts with a complete lack of finesse. Perhaps the series should have been six episodes for the writer to give the Queen full justice?
However, overall, it's the best Elizabeth since Glenda Jackson and I would definitely watch it again."
N. Khan-Bourne, London
"I loved the haunting theme music."
|
"I have really enjoyed this drama. I am a big Elizabeth fan and have read many a book about the great Queen and seen all the dramas and films. I think that this production was at least as good as Elizabeth R*. The story was more historically accurate than most dramas, minor artistic licence is forgivable given that this is not a documentary.
I enjoyed Anne-Marie Duff's excellent portrayal, and, though I couldn't help thinking she needed a touch more fire in some scenes, she had me in tears when Elizabeth heard of Dudley's death. That is acting. The portrayal of Dudley never quite convinced me - but I'm a Joseph Fiennes* fan and he'll always be Dudley for me. I loved the haunting theme music (with lyrics taken from Elizabeth's poem - nice touch)."
Carmen, Hertfordshire
"The Virgin Queen was simply one of the best dramas I have seen from the BBC in a while. The cast were superb, with special praise going to Anne-Marie Duff and Tom Hardy for their performances. It's just a shame there were only four episodes."
Carly, Nottingham
"Fantastic, and so moving. The make-up was amazing. I thought this was the best thing on TV in ages. It really demonstrated what a strong woman she was but showed also her inner demons such as battling with the fact she was getting older and the loss of Robert Dudley. I wish there were more dramas like this on the BBC."
Clair Nee, Worthing, West Sussex
"Did the BBC run out of money for the crowd scenes?"
|
"Oh dear, the last episode was the worst of the lot. At least Anne-Marie Duff was better and her costume more accurate but did the BBC run out of money for the crowd scenes? The same 20 or so rebels were the same as the army at Tilbury who were the same at Elizabeth's ascension. And Bamburgh in Northumberland hopefully got paid for being both Tilbury and then Ireland.
One last gripe - what was with the 'the whore, Anne Boleyn' theme. Yes Elizabeth never mentioned her mother but her courtiers (most of whom weren't born when Anne Boleyn was Queen) were strongly protestant as was Boleyn. They wouldn't have used such terms about the Queen and no way would her maids of honour have rifled through the Queen's casket."
Tess (v disappointed), London
"Absolutely brilliant. This has got to be the best drama I've ever seen about Queen Elizabeth I, and it was good to know that the BBC had done tons of research which showed. There were a few bits which weren't right, but at the end of the day it's pure entertainment. The cast were brilliant, especially Anne-Marie Duff, and the music was excellent too. Thank you for brightening up my Sunday evenings."
Altaira Webb, Cornwall
"I am so sorry the series has finished. It was an absolute BBC masterpiece. All the characters were played brilliantly and the costumes and scene settings were amazing."
Julia Pluck, UK
"Having not been 100% convinced by Anne-Marie Duff in the first three parts - her performance in episode 4 was nothing short of magnificent. It was great to see her taking real control - she mananged to give the aged queen a regal and frightening quality - just as you would have expected the real Elizabeth to be. Yet in no way was this a 2-D performance she also displayed Elizabeth's vunerability - I loved the bit when she slowly started to dance on her own, trying to recapture her lost youth - it was extremely moving. Thanks to the BBC for getting the DVD out so quickly!"
Michael, London
"This production has been a real roller coaster ride."
|
"Anne-Marie Duff played Elizabeth with such intensity. The viewer was able to feel every emotion be it sad or happy. This production has been a real roller coaster ride. The soundtrack, costume design and make up were superb. Ms Duff I am sure will receive a BAFTA nomination for such a fantastic perfomance. Well done BBC Drama."
Kat Tanner, Hants
"There is only one word for this drama and that word is breathtaking. I especially love the music, but it's the acting and the historical justice that puts the show on the map. The Virgin Queen definitely achieved its most important aim - making history available for those who are not familiar with it."
Matthias De Poorter, Belgium
Read a synopsis of Episode 4 »
* Please note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
| |
Behind the Scenes
Rummage around the wardrobe department »
Episodes
|
