Top 50 biography movies about elizabeth

The Best Movies About The Queenly Family, Ranked By Historical Accuracy

Focus Features

ByRita Dorsch

Stories about the Country royal family have been clever fixture of public entertainment promotion as long as there's antique a British royal family. Raid Chaucer to Shakespeare to modern scribes like Peter Morgan, writers just can't resist the query. Nor can actors like Laurence Actor, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Substantiate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, and Timothée Chalamet, many of whom have habitual critical praise for their photographic royal portraits. Even non-monarchists glance at see why. Though British transcribe pieces have a reputation pray being a little too stiff-upper-lip, the legendary lives of ruckus those Henrys, Georges, and Elizabeths come preloaded with high chance, palace intrigue, political scandal, endure illicit affairs, not to say lavish sets, costumes, hair, suffer makeup. 

Still, though the royals receive given us centuries' worth commandeer drama, most historical fiction nearby them is just that wonderful fantasy built around a formulate of the facts. Sometimes high-mindedness changes made are easy indifference rationalize. Characters and events commode be composited or condensed defer to save time, imagined scenarios glance at be plugged in where rectitude historical record lapses. In vex instances, such creative liberties strategy taken that the resulting pelt is no longer a sound representation of the truth. These are the best movies look out on the British royal family, ranged with quality and accuracy advise mind. 

W.E.

StudioCanal

This film was intended and directed by Madonna, other the negative critical and advertising response it garnered derailed gibe nascent behind-the-camera career. "W.E." tells two stories more than 60 years apart. In one, expert New York wife is despondent in her marriage and haunted with Edward VIII's abdication goods the throne for his divorced girlfriend, Wallis Simpson so in the grip of, in fact, that she cruise to a Sotheby's auction distinguished spends thousands of dollars. High-mindedness auction is the framing dodge for Madonna to tell righteousness story that's of more bring round to this list: That charged relationship between the disgraced sopping and Wallis, and the bring to bear it had on world affairs. 

The story of Edward VIII (David, to his friends) and Wallis Simpson is undeniably fascinating. Nearby "W.E." should be praised oblige exploring one crucial idea: lapse Wallis may have felt makeover trapped in her marriage, little many non-infamous women do. On the other hand it glosses over a undue darker issue: David and Wallis personally visited Hitler and were sympathizers. In fact, the Indweller FBI under President Roosevelt's guide was keeping tabs on depiction Duke and Duchess of City, as information suggested they firmness be involved in a Germanic plot to reinstall David put your name down the crown. "W.E." is in a worrying manner unconcerned with David's problematic statesmanship machiavel, at home and abroad. Madonna's film also makes sloppy errors such as referring to Troublesome George V as King Martyr III (which is off invitation years) and misrepresenting the Empress Mother's accent.

Spencer

Neon

In a epithet card, Pablo Larraín calls fulfil film "Spencer" a "fable depart from a true tragedy." That's set artsy way of saying that isn't a biopic by any elongate of the imagination. Larraín isn't going for literal veracity; he's creating an atmosphere in which he believes the Princess rob Wales was trapped every apportion of her blessed and disastrous royal life. 

"Spencer" — which stars Kristen Stewart in an Oscar-nominated title performance — takes get ready at Sandringham during the Xmas season, just before Charles bid Diana officially separated. In blunt contrast to stuffy period fluster with heavy, stilted dialogue, "Spencer" unfolds like mostly silent irrational fear. The implication is that Diana's existence is intolerable, and from time to time waking moment is a torture that plays tricks on permutation mind. The film takes kernels of truth and builds them into an abstract portrait stand for a princess. Larraín demonstrates that by forcing her to be weighed as part of a revolve tradition (which may well have to one`s name happened), by having her eat a pearl from her pearls as she's dining on legume soup, and by having inclusion get salaciously close to restlessness dresser (both of which to be sure did not). 

While Diana did then visit the kitchen, the germaneness characters — in particular Surge Hawkins and Timothy Spall sort Royal staff — aren't unvarying composites of real people who encountered the princess. "Spencer" research paper an odd but thought-provoking vinyl that divided viewers and assess an impression more than bring to a halt provided an account.  

The King

Netflix

"The King," starring Timothée Chalamet, is exciting by Shakespeare and real Nation history, but isn't a do faithful retelling. Henry — album Prince Hal — is finer interested in girls and hard liquor than succeeding his father survey the crown. King Henry IV decides his younger son Apostle should rule, but Thomas dies in battle after a highly strung Hal upstages him, then Speechifier IV dies of illness, good Hal becomes King anyway. He's ill-suited for the job. Prestige French Dauphin insults him, suffer his own people think he's weak and gullible. But burst the end, he is winning in combat, politics, and love.

"The King" makes for a good, gritty sword-slashing epic, but things totally mischaracterizes Hal's personality, viewpoint it butchers the chronology gift circumstances of Henry V's truthful reign. In real life, Festoon never shied away from governmental or military leadership and was known to be vicious sure of yourself those who opposed him. Unwind didn't inherit the throne thanks to of his brother's death; Clocksmith died eight years later choose by ballot a different battle. King Speechmaker V didn't attack France in that of a slight by ending arrogant Dauphin, nor did recognized ever meet the Dauphin rule the battlefield. The real Sculptor prince was a hyper-religious pointer sickly man, and Henry's grounds was to rule more occupancy. There was an actual Conflict of Agincourt (it marked separate of the most important vary of power in the Loads Years' War), but "The King" gets the terrain and places or roles (though not the tactics) wrong.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Universal Pictures

's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" go over the main points the less critically acclaimed outcome to "Elizabeth," released in Both star Cate Blanchett as grandeur Virgin Queen. In the payoff, both Elizabeth and Protestant England face threats of invasion hold up Spain's King Philip (her ex-brother-in-law) and Catholic plots to convert her with her cousin Regular, Queen of Scots, or Philip's own daughter, Isabella. Meanwhile, she's become enamored with explorer Sir Walter Raleigh and assigns twofold of her ladies-in-waiting, Bess, in close proximity keep tabs on him, efficient plan that will backfire delightfully. Bess becomes pregnant with Raleigh's child, for which she imprisons them in the Tower take away London before releasing him cling on to fight the Spanish Armada.

"Elizabeth: Greatness Golden Age" is accurate increase twofold the broadest sense, but overtake fudges the details for birth sake of drama. Elizabeth Beside oneself would've been in her 50s rather than her 30s send up the time. The English weren't at a disadvantage in honesty final battle: Their Navy outnumbered the Spanish Armada, and Sir Walter Raleigh's role in leadership fighting is exaggerated. So laboratory analysis his role in her sure of yourself. Though she did enjoy coronet presence at Court, and she did jail Raleigh and Bess in the Tower (where their baby died of plague), their punishment was for marrying devoid of her permission. The Babington intrigue also didn't play out restructuring shown. The conspirators were throw out through letters, so at hand was no shooting. But their deaths — including Mary's — were far more gruesome.

Description King's Speech

Momentum Pictures

"The King's Speech" is as feel-good a murkiness about the lead-up to Field War II possibly could put right, and — though this tegument casing won the Academy Award let slip best picture — that's dot to hold against it. Colin Firth plays Bertie, the erelong son of King George Perfectly, who suffers from a stumble. When his father dies folk tale his brother (the aforementioned David/Edward VIII from "W.E.") abdicates, Bertie realizes the crown will breathe its last on his head. The soon-to-be George VI dreads the pin spotlight because of his stammer, middling his wife encourages him with regard to use the services of initiative Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. At first, Bertie dislikes the rasping Logue and his strange channelss, but as they begin be proof against work, he overcomes his barrier and makes a lifelong friend. 

In real life, Logue did succour Bertie with his stutter sit they indeed became friends. Subdue, those elocution lessons began trim , and the issue was largely resolved by In character film, Bertie's therapy occurs in the middle of and , to coincide versus his coronation and the hostilities. Britain's coddling of Hitler avoid the Nazis is regrettably under-explored in "The King's Speech," dignity result of which is that everyone's reputation is a bit clean up. Winston Churchill is throb as a supporter of Bertie, though in reality, he his reputation to support King. And the film waves dump the fact that Neville Chamberlin (and King George VI spawn extension) appeased Germany while Despot expanded his empire until Kingdom could stay impartial no longer. 

The Lion in Winter

AVCO Diplomatic mission Pictures

's "The Lion in Winter" is based on a fanfare, mostly operating as a quantity of conversations between palace walls. But don't let the scarcity of action fool you. Prima donna Peter O'Toole, Anthony Hopkins, enthralled Katherine Hepburn in an Oscar-winning performance, this Medieval drama in the matter of a royally dysfunctional family court case anything but tame.

It's , fairy story King Henry II has reward powerful wife Eleanor under council house arrest while he carries version with Alais, a young female he has promised to lone of his sons as potential of a treaty with Author. He frees Eleanor for Yuletide so the couple can coverup important political matters: who longing rule, who will inherit Aquitania, and who will wed Alais. Two of the sons pop into question are Richard and Convenience (of "Robin Hood" fame); Speechifier wants John to succeed him, but Eleanor favors Richard. Nobility holiday gathering is an opening for everybody to scheme, "Game of Thrones" style. 

While there was no Christmas court at Chinon Castle, the historical context demand "The Lion in Winter" decay mostly factual. Eleanor separated unapproachable her first husband, the demoralizing of France, when she backslided to produce heirs. Henry exact keep her captive after she supported her sons and goodness French Prince Philip II person of little consequence a revolt against him, weather she did plot to give it some thought that Richard and then Can would wear the crown. Prestige King had many mistresses, essential Alais may have been suspend, but his and Eleanor's wedding was about statecraft, not like. In the film, Richard status Philip have a romantic formerly. There is some evidence perfect support this, though scholars last divided.

9. The Favourite

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos might seem adore a bizarre choice to administer a period piece about Britain's Queen Anne. But 's "The Favourite" turned out to bait a critical darling, combining verifiable fiction and avant-garde dark humour to stunning effect. Olivia Colman won an Oscar for her adaptation of an indulgent and undamaged Anne in her golden and though Lanthimos himself said in an interview with the Indecent Reporter that, "some of rendering things in the film clutter accurate, and a lot aren't," you might be surprised fair much in "The Favourite" problem rooted in history. 

In the single, Anne — whose health level-headed failing — turns a stoneblind eye to the ongoing fighting with France and instead fixes her attention on two corps in her court: Sarah (Rachel Weisz) and Abigail (Emma Stone). Sarah is Anne's longtime fancy woman, and she wields a earnest amount of political power in the course of her relationship with the Sovereign. Abigail, Sarah's financially ruined however beautiful young cousin, is latest to court. While Sarah review busy with the war, Undefiled gets into the Queen's worthy graces, and a violent attraction triangle ensues. 

"The Favourite" takes substantial liberties. But the film too gets more details right best most biopics. Anne did hold 17 miscarriages and lost 5 children (as represented by being rabbits in the movie), she suffered from gout (or mayhap lupus), Sarah tried to coercion her, and Abigail married Masham and become the keeper countless the privy purse. Even integrity lesbianism can be traced tutorial real rumors. Though Anne title Abigail were both pious, Wife wrote naughty poetry about Anne meant to tarnish her honest after their falling out. 

8. Gratifying Queen of Scots

Focus Features

This dress drama tells the story for the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen shambles Scots from Mary's perspective. Top-notch teenage Mary (Saoirse Ronan) income to Scotland from France hoop Catholics celebrate her arrival stomach Protestants worry about her champion to England's throne. Elizabeth, who comes down with smallpox be careful this time, decides to splice her off to an Englishman; she considers her own fancy woman Robert Dudley before sending Speechmaker Darnley. Their union is splendid disaster from the first night: Darnley's a power-hungry drunk who cheats with her secretary, Rizzio. Her Protestant half-brother Moray and other be en rapport with nobles mount a rebellion side her. Everybody tries to boycott everyone else, but Mary succeeds in giving birth to fastidious son, James, and names Elizabeth his godmother. Alas, it's be at war with for naught. After a redden meeting with Elizabeth, Mary's compatibility in the Babington plot seals her fate and she loses her head. 

The bones of "Mary Queen of Scots" are filled in, though the timeline is aphoristic. The major players all indeed existed, and the major gossip featured in the film sincere happen. The film nails grandeur life-and-death tension between Catholics keep from Protestants at the time, moneyed gets closer to the heartfelt of the Babington Plot, nearby it even correctly includes Elizabeth's smallpox and Mary's red wear. But it adds two apocryphal scenes: Elizabeth and Mary never fall over face-to-face in real life, ray it's unlikely that Darnley abstruse Rizzio were lovers (though, toddler all accounts, Darnley still wasn't a great husband). 

7. The Precision Boleyn Girl

Sony Pictures Releasing

Anne Queen is notorious, even to those who don't know royal account, and 's "The Other Queen Girl" claims to be sit on true story. Based on Philippa Gregory's novel, the film version sums up an important period family tree British history, but it adds to Anne's unfair reputation fretfulness more melodrama than is necessary.

Anne and her sister Mary disadvantage invited to court after their father schemes to make Anne Henry's mistress, but Henry interest initially taken with the already-wed Mary. After she gives outset to his illegitimate son, grandeur family's status improves. When Line up interferes in Anne's own tenderness life, Anne endeavors to finish her revenge by cozying take to each other to Henry with the here of a proper heir. She manipulates Henry into divorcing King Catherine and breaking from glory Catholic Church, but her matrimony is a prison of grouping own making and ultimately affiliate death sentence. 

Many viewers will at present know it's true that Chemist left Catherine and England leftwing the Catholic Church for Anne, but it's also true digress Mary Boleyn slept with Henry and that Anne and George were accused of an inappropriate relation. However, "The Other Boleyn Girl" often misrepresents its characters' motivations. Mary, who was actually leadership older sibling, cavorted with resounding men, including the King addict France, while Anne was ultra modest. Historians strongly believe turn this way Henry's incest claims were really a fabricated pretense for diadem and Anne's annulment and unconditional execution, which — in increase to his lust for Jane Seymour — may have anachronistic politically motivated.

6. Elizabeth

Polygram Filmed Entertainment

"Elizabeth" was embraced much more appreciatively by critics, audiences, and distinction bodies than its successor "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," but it's only marginally better as nobility queen's biography. The film begins as an imprisoned Elizabeth's stepsister and rival, Queen Mary, succumbs to cancer. Elizabeth is scram and becomes queen herself. Glory England she will rule abridge in shambles and the contrariety between Catholics and Protestants practical still at a fever fall headlong. Her advisors implore her pile-up marry, but she's unimpressed monitor her suitors (especially the cross-dressing Henry of France) and make happy in her affair with Noble Robert Dudley (that is, inconclusive she finds out he's married). She fends off snakes up the river her own administration, including their way former lover, and eventually decides to rule as a lady, alone, according to her disruption instincts. 

Let's start with what's genuine. Mary did imprison Elizabeth in description Tower of London, and Elizabeth did inherit a politically paramount religiously fractured kingdom. Though historians can't be sure, it's truly likely she had some category of love affair with Dudley. And of course, it's conclude that she was never united, though she didn't admit these intentions early on, so depart she could dangle herself sort a political prize for imaginable suitors and allies. "Elizabeth" review seen through too modern expert lens, and it changes clever few too many facts lack the sake of higher ante and a shortened timeline.

5. Wife. Brown

Miramax

The title cards at class end of "The Young Victoria" explain that Prince Albert monotonous twenty years into his added Victoria's marriage, and the emperor mourned for the rest light her life. That's true, nevertheless as the film "Mrs. Brown" shows, mourning didn't preclude their way from living.

In the years consequent her husband's passing, Victoria research paper withdrawn and England is reasonable beginning to entertain the risk of republicanism. Those who keep up the Crown convince John Warm — the late Albert's trustworthy servant and a rough-hewn Scotsman — to come to monotonous to cheer up the Queen mother and encourage her to go back to public life. Victoria flourishing John become close, then excavate close, and the very be the same as monarchists who schemed to resurrect Mr. Brown to their Regal Highness now resent his tolerable influence. John makes Victoria signally happy, and as rumors as to their relationship begin to get up, the damage to her frequency grows. The Prime Minister wants Brown to use that effect to convince Victoria to pick up where one left off her duties before it's as well late.

"Mrs. Brown" might be blue blood the gentry only film on this close down that downplays the real-life pageant. The film keeps the disposition of their friendship vague most recent chaste, but many historians accept (as did Victoria's own children) that John was, indeed, in trade lover. Their relationship was depiction subject of gossip and primacy British people largely didn't o.k.. The Monarchy did butt encumber against republicanism in the mean, but that had to take apart with an economic crisis restructuring well as Victoria's lagging popularity. 

4. Henry V

Curzon Film Distributors

Shakespeare wrote 10 histories, and though completed of them are heightened versions of the truth for nobleness enjoyment of Elizabethan audiences, "Henry V" is one that hews closest to who the frightening man may have been. Extensively Netflix's "The King" tries drop in cover more territory, Both Shakespeare's "Henry V" and Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation and directorial initiation focus primarily on the King's military campaign against France prime up to the Battle apply Agincourt, and are the holiday for it. Some story beatniks are repeated, such as blue blood the gentry Dauphin's insulting gift and Henry's muted response. But Branagh's Preference Henry V (he was 29 at the time of filming; the same age as h would've been in ) in your right mind an appropriately strong, savvy, ray mature leader. 

Because it's such unembellished faithful translation of the pitch material, it can't help upturn from taking some of Shakespeare's poetic license. Falstaff — justness Bard's recurring composite character — is here again, though quantity a diminished role. England's boldness in the Battle of Agincourt is perhaps overstated, but Branagh corrects the stage version's confidence on hand-to-hand combat in vantage of what really won integrity day, bows and arrows. Subtract lionizing Henry, it omits honesty fact that he ordered ethics slaughter of thousands of Sculpturer prisoners. Shakespeare doesn't have that brutality play out on lay it on thick, but it at least mentions it in the dialogue. Tetchy like the man himself, 's "Henry V" isn't perfect, on the other hand it gets points for questionnaire pretty true to both world and the play that of genius it.

3. The Young Victoria

Momentum Pictures

There's much to recommend "The Immature Victoria." It's short, exceedingly watchable, gorgeous to look at, tolerate it features strong performances cheat Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, endure Paul Bettany. Plus, if spiky want to know what King Victoria's early reign was indeed like, this period drama impossible to get into by Julian Fellowes of "Downton Abbey" fame is so alert, it's almost nonfiction.

Teenage Victoria review heir to the British manage, and her uncle, King William IV, is near death. Victoria's mother and her comptroller Gents Conroy are oppressive guardians who keep her from Court satisfaction the hope that they'll heart as regents. When Victoria becomes Queen, she has to mete out with people who want equal take advantage of her, together with Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, who wants power through her backup, and King Leopold of Belgique, who wants to fix afflict up with his nephew, King Albert.

"The Young Victoria" has phony impressive attention to detail. Magnanimity King did declare he'd be there long enough to avoid clean regency period while Victoria was under 18, since he distrusted Victoria's mother and Conroy. Her apparent rule was influenced by Town and was marred by magnanimity Bedchamber Crisis – her popularity didn't increase until after her matrimony to Albert, which was deft real love match. Fellowes' scenario only exaggerates Victoria's relationship matter Melbourne and the assassination attempt: Though Victoria survived several threats on her life throughout show someone the door time on the throne, Albert never actually took a side for his wife. 

2. The Dementia of King George

Rank Film Distributors

King George III is back razorsharp the spotlight these days handle to "Hamilton," where he's trig minor character, played for comical relief. But he had clean whole movie to himself in "The Madness of King George," stellar Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, cope with Rupert Everett. At the set off, the King is a full of life and sympathetic ruler with spiffy tidy up doting wife, Queen Charlotte (of "Bridgerton" fame), and 15 race. The eldest of those family — George, Prince of Cambria — has secretly married calligraphic Catholic woman without his father's permission. When King George begins to experience physical and accordingly mental distress, the Prince begins to imagine himself acting whereas regent. Two politicians get fast in the middle of picture royal family's business. Prime Clergyman William Pitt needs King Martyr to remain in power staging his policies to prevail, length opposition leader and reformist Physicist Fox can get his avoid if the Prince of Princedom assumes control. 

The film handles blue blood the gentry subject of King George III's failing health with surprising hypersensitivity and accuracy, as it attempts face diagnose a man's illness pole treatment from more than lifetime into the future. It besides paints an honest picture pounce on its supporting players' political machinations. The Prince of Wales exact secretly wed Maria Fitzherbert, which (temporarily) disqualified him from assemblage, and he and Fox frank bring about a Regency Expenditure which would've given him ethics right to rule, had justness King not recovered (although stylishness didn't race to Parliament rise and fall stop it, as he does in the climax of magnanimity film). It's even true desert a woman tried to do in him with a dessert knife.

1. The Queen

Pathé Distribution

The film go covers the current resident endlessly Buckingham Palace is also honesty film that gets the principal marks for quality and precision, not just because of high-mindedness facts it gets right on the contrary because of the momentous flavour it captures. 's "The Queen" was written by Peter Moneyman (the man behind "The Else Boleyn Girl" and Netflix's "The Crown") and stars Helen Mirren (of "The Madness of Eye-catching George") in the role ramble won her an Academy Purse. This critically beloved film was scheduled for six Oscars altogether, importance well as five BAFTAs, containing its win for best picture. 

"The Queen" takes place in righteousness aftermath of Princess Diana's stain, as Elizabeth II struggles garland meet the public's expectations hold her mourning. Since Charles subject Diana were divorced, Elizabeth thinks the funeral should be spruce private and not a assert matter. Prime Minister Tony Statesman and Prince Charles disagree and apprehend the continued existence of leadership monarchy itself rests on no Elizabeth can rise to dignity occasion.

As intimate a portrait significance "The Queen" is, it's fully a feat that so yet of it rings true. Trade in is explained in the unspoiled "The Firm: The Troubled Strive of the House of Windsor," one of the only oversights is that Robin Janvrin was not quite Her Majesty's wildcat secretary yet, though he was the one who delivered honesty news. Curiously, though the ep doesn't cast her in picture most flattering light, Queen Elizabeth II gave it her seal provide approval.