Other critical reviewers have already noted that Elizabeth makes a travesty of history, and unnecessarily so. The politics, personalties, and intrigues of the Elizabethan period were fascinating enough without debasing them with this kind of cinematic rubbish. Even more deplorable is the quality of the screenplay itself. In contrast to such classics as Elizabeth R and Mary Queen of Scots (and even The Virgin Queen), the writing here alternates between the banal and the sophomoric--it's just plain boring. See Shakespeare in Love for a lesson in how truly talented writers can bring this period alive with an engaging, witty, intelligent script.