Elizabeth/Elizabeth: the Golden Age/ the Other Boleyn Girl DVD – Geoffrey Rush, Richard Attenborough 

Trio of big-budget Tudor dramas. In ‘Elizabeth’ (1998), it’s 1554, and England is ruled by the fervently Catholic Queen Mary (Kathy Burke), whose persecution of Protestants even extends to her own half-sister, Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett). When Mary dies, Elizabeth succeeds to the throne, but finds her country under threat from the Scots, French and Spanish. Although conducting an affair with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), Elizabeth is urged by her advisors to wed and produce an heir. Meanwhile, plots against her are being hatched by the Catholic bishops, and Elizabeth soon becomes the target of an assassination attempt. In ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ (2007), Blanchett reprises her role as the ‘Virgin Queen’ in this sequel to the Oscar-nominated ‘Elizabeth’. This time round Elizabeth has to contend with the rising power of Spain, as Philip II (Jordi Molla) readies an armada for invasion, intent on returning England to Catholic influence. While her trusty servant Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) works tirelessly to protect her from numerous plots, Elizabeth discovers she has a potential weakness in her fondness for Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Finally, ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ (2008) is a fictionalised account of the life of Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) who was mistress to King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) before he married her sister, Anne (Natalie Portman). Set during one of the most dramatic periods in British regal history, the narrative focuses on the relationship and rivalry between the two Boleyn girls and the power game being played by their family in which the sisters are mere pawns. When Mary is ousted in favour of Anne, she leaves the King’s Court to marry a commoner, but is compelled to return when her sister embarks on a reckless plan to try and save herself from ruin.

Titles Comprise:The Other Boleyn Girl: A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history, The Other Boleyn Girl tells the story of two beautiful sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn who, driven by their family’s blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). While both women eventually share the king’s bed, only one will ascend to the throne for a brief and turbulent reign that ends tragically with a swing of the executioner’s sword.Elizabeth: Now close to death, Queen Mary I (Kathy Burke) steps up her policy of Protestant repression. Even Princess Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett), her younger sister and her heir apparent is in grave danger, but Mary’s last ditch to execute her for treason fails. Within days, Mary is dead and Elizabeth is crowned Queen of England, but with enemies and rebellion continuing in her own council she is advised to hit back. She retaliated in a counter-coup of immense ferocity, wiping out all opposition to her leadership. Her throne is finally secure.Elizabeth: The Golden Age: The story of one woman’s crusade to control love, crush enemies and secure her position as a beloved icon of the western world. As Elizabeth’s cousin Mary Stuart conspires with Philip of Spain to topple the throne, Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s trusty advisor works tirelessly to protect her from the many plots and conspiracies against her. Preparing to go to war to defend her empire, Elizabeth struggles to balance royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability in her attraction to Sir Walter Raleigh.