The Virgin Queen (1955)
Country: US
Technical: col/2.55:1 92m
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Herbert Marshall, Dan O'Herlihy
Synopsis:
Ambitious young Walter Raleigh seeks preferment at court so he can go sailing and plunder the New World in the name of England. Meanwhile his enemies at Court are only too happy to alert the jealous Queen that he has eyes for one of her ladies in waiting.
Review:
This shorebound historical drama is strong on court intrigue but ends just as things are getting interesting, almost as if Fox were expecting to make a sequel. Cinemascope is an unwelcome distraction, holding characters for ever in medium long shot, and studio interiors and backlots hardly ever get used for deep-staging compositional effects. That said, the period detail is pretty good, as is the politicking, and the cod-Shakespearean script is fun, ably rolled around the lips of this cast. Stout and honourable Todd and a sexy young Collins, provide much of the interest, but Davis does a fine star turn in her reprise as Queen Bess.
Country: US
Technical: col/2.55:1 92m
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Herbert Marshall, Dan O'Herlihy
Synopsis:
Ambitious young Walter Raleigh seeks preferment at court so he can go sailing and plunder the New World in the name of England. Meanwhile his enemies at Court are only too happy to alert the jealous Queen that he has eyes for one of her ladies in waiting.
Review:
This shorebound historical drama is strong on court intrigue but ends just as things are getting interesting, almost as if Fox were expecting to make a sequel. Cinemascope is an unwelcome distraction, holding characters for ever in medium long shot, and studio interiors and backlots hardly ever get used for deep-staging compositional effects. That said, the period detail is pretty good, as is the politicking, and the cod-Shakespearean script is fun, ably rolled around the lips of this cast. Stout and honourable Todd and a sexy young Collins, provide much of the interest, but Davis does a fine star turn in her reprise as Queen Bess.
Country: US
Technical: col/2.55:1 92m
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Herbert Marshall, Dan O'Herlihy
Synopsis:
Ambitious young Walter Raleigh seeks preferment at court so he can go sailing and plunder the New World in the name of England. Meanwhile his enemies at Court are only too happy to alert the jealous Queen that he has eyes for one of her ladies in waiting.
Review:
This shorebound historical drama is strong on court intrigue but ends just as things are getting interesting, almost as if Fox were expecting to make a sequel. Cinemascope is an unwelcome distraction, holding characters for ever in medium long shot, and studio interiors and backlots hardly ever get used for deep-staging compositional effects. That said, the period detail is pretty good, as is the politicking, and the cod-Shakespearean script is fun, ably rolled around the lips of this cast. Stout and honourable Todd and a sexy young Collins, provide much of the interest, but Davis does a fine star turn in her reprise as Queen Bess.