Tag: History

“Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007)

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The “definitive” Queen Elizabeth of modern film (Cate Blanchett), director Shekhar Kapur, and the Queen’s “master of intrigue” Lord Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) return to create a strong sequel.  The costumes, especially those of Elizabeth, are some of the MOST beautiful, intricate things ever seen!  The unusually high camera angles often used reminding the viewer of bigger forces at play in the world (God?  Destiny?) than the machinations of rulers.  There are new chracters to explore as well: sailor/adventurer/privateer, Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen); beautiful, sweet, young lady of the court (Abbie Cornish); the religiously fanatical King Phillip of Spain (Jordi Molla); the steely Mary, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton).

This is my second viewing of the film; I saw it in the theater this past winter.  It’s the kind of film you MUST see in the theater to appreciate fully.  Kapur envisions this film as light (Elizabeth) vs. dark (Philip); he explains this in the Special Features of the DVD.  Elizabeth is now a mature woman and a confidant ruler, but her country is in trouble.  Spain has an incredibly strong navy (the Armada had more than 2,000 ships), the Inquisition (which Elizabeth says will take away “freedom of conscience and thought”), and a ruler who seeks to glorify God by conquering Britain.

At home, the Virgin Queen must deal with cousin Mary, who has many Catholic supporters plotting for Elizabeth’s demise.  Mary is imprisoned, but still sending out letters to the world.  England is about 50% Catholic, but the queen vows “I will not punish thought- only action.”  Elizabeth stood for religious tolerance, even when her Privy Council said that she should be more tougher on disloyal subjects (speaking/writing against her).

One day, while walking with her ladies from church, Elizabeth meets Raleigh.  He gallantly drops his cloak in order to cover up a puddle.  She is definitely amused and intrigued by the man, as is Beth (her favorite lady-in-waiting).  Raleigh is handsome, bold, and has been to the New World; he presents to the court Native Americans, potatoes, tobacco, and gold (captured from Spanish ships, of course).  You may know that Virginia was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

Raleigh speaks with Beth Throckmorton, one of Elizabeth’s closest ladies.

Raleigh was known to be one of Elizabeth’s “favorites” in real life.  In this film, Elizabeth is drawn NOT only to the (very charming) man himself, but to the life of adventure her leads.  She has never been away from British shores, and yearns to see more of what is “beyond the court.” 

In the above picture, Elizabeth is enthralled as she listens to Raleigh’s account of life at sea.  This section of the film reminded me of Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello.  (Desdemona fell in love with Othello because of his stories.)

Raleigh wants the Queen’s favor; however, he also shows concern for her as a person and friend.  Though the hair, make-up, and clothes (obviously) proclaim him the “hero” character, the acting is mostly in Clive Owen’s eyes.

Sir Walter Raleigh (he was knighted by the Queen) aboard his ship, The Tiger.

Some people have complained about the (big) show of emotion in one scene involving the Queen, Beth and Raleigh.  (I understand that, because I thought it was a BIT too much as well.)  But who among us is always in control?  The Queen is NOT ONLY a ruler, she is a woman (who probably would’ve liked to have a husband and family- like most other women of her day).

The dialogue was pretty good, but there were a few places where I thought it could’ve been more subtle.  Modern audiences are NOT as dim as MANY screenwriters think!  The acting, especially by Cate, is VERY good.  In my opinion, this actress can play ANY role.  Geoffrey Rush is strong (as always) but low-key.  He was known as “the spymaster” who had eyes and ears all over Europe; his main concern is the Queen’s safety.

What struck me the most was the beauty of the locations (especially the many different cathedrals), the visual effects, and the scenes between Cate and Clive.  They had a good connection that was based on respect, I feel.  The music was not overly dramatic, unlike in many “epic” scale films.  Check out this film ASAP!

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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I thought about writing this because February is considered Black History Month.  But, as Morgan Freeman pointed out: “Black history IS American history- there is no separation”

 

“The question to ask yourself is not ‘What will happen to me if I stop to help this man?’  The question is ‘What will happen to this man if I do stop to help him?’”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” 1968)

The lines quoted above are connected to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan that Dr. King spoke about in his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in 1968. I listened to this speech recently via iTunes.  (Yes, I am crazy re: my iPod nano!!!)  The story, as he explained it, follows.  An injured Levite was laying on the road, a winding, dangerous road leading from Jericho to Jerusalem.  A priest came along that road and passed him by without doing anything.  Maybe he didn’t have time because he was on his way to a religious meeting.  Or maybe he was on his way to a road construction meeting.  Another Levite came by on the road later, but he did not stop to help the hurt man.  Finally, a man of a different race came to the same place in the road.  He dismounted from his animal and gave the injured Levite medical assistance.  Jesus pointed out to his disciples that this foreign man was the true man of God, because he was doing God’s will.

Dr. King used this story, as well as a few other related ones, to propel others to boycott big businesses that used unfair hiring practices.  He pointed out that black Americans had great economic power, and they could send a message by withdrawing their money from unfair banks, insurance agencies, etc.  Up until then, only the sanitation workers of Memphis, TN (where he was speaking that day) had been feeling the pain of boycott.  He said it was time “to spread the pain around” in the community.  “We are a poor people, but together we are more powerful than all the nations of the world except nine!”

Without the work of Dr. King and his disciples, we certainly would not have  affirmative action.  Legal immigration to the U.S. grew exponentially in the 1970s onwards, also because of his great legacy.  I was (a little) surprised when a professor pointed that out to me in college.  What other man in 20th century America has harnessed the influence of religion to do extraordinary things for our entire world?  Some of the “leaders” of today look very petty and insignificant when compared to Dr. King.  He sought to UNITE, while many today seek to divide people of different political parties, races, religions, social classes, etc.