Growing keenly aware of the changing religious and political tides of late 16th century Europe, Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) finds her rule openly challenged by the Spanish King Philip II (Jordi Mollá) - with his powerful army and sea-dominating armada - determined to restore England to Catholicism. Preparing to go to war to defend her empire, Elizabeth struggles to balance ancient royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability in her love for Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). But he remains forbidden for a queen who has sworn body and soul to her country. Unable and unwilling to pursue her love, Elizabeth encourages her favorite lady-in-waiting, Bess (Abbie Cornish), to befriend Raleigh to keep him near. But this strategy forces Elizabeth to observe their growing intimacy. As she charts her course abroad, her trusted advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), continues his masterful puppetry of Elizabeth's court at home - and her campaign to solidify absolute power. Through an intricate spy network, Walsingham uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne. But as he unmasks traitors that may include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton), he unknowingly sets England up for destruction.

• Filming Locations:
London, England
United Kingdom

• Film insiders revealed that Blanchett shaved her hairline to recreate the dramatic look from her Oscar-nominated performance in Elizabeth. As well as this Blanchett bleached her eyebrows and eyelashes - and caked on layers of white make-up to lighten her naturally pale complexion.

• Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush star once again together. Both were previously seen in Candy (2006).

• Elizabeth's jewelery was made by Erickson Beamon of Belgravia and her plumed hats were designed by Christian Dior's milliner, Stephen Jones.

• The words Mary, Queen of Scots, mouths before being executed are "I forgive you with all my heart", said to be her last words, spoken to the executioner when he asked her forgiveness.

• In the scene where Francis Walsingham is on his deathbed, Isaac Oliver's famous "Rainbow Portrait" of Elizabeth I can be seen hanging from a wall. This painting was completed c.1600, ten years after Walsingham's actual death on April 6, 1590.

• Awards: 4 wins & 13 nominations. (view)

• "Wearing that corset every single day for 14 hours is tough. It took some getting used to. All your organs are pressed &mdash my back was crushed and my breath was gone. It made me aware of the difficulty of life in Elizabeth's time. You're wearing a beautiful handmade gown, and you are in the exalted position of servant to the queen, but still, it is painful at all times and absolutely constricting. My character, Bess, wants to be free, and here she is so tightly bound. After the shoot, I sometimes had rashes from where the bones of the corset stuck into me."

• "In The Golden Age, the love scenes were so complicated. It's a costume movie, so I started out in a corset and all my layers of clothes. We began &mdash Clive and I kissed. Then we cut and we took bunches of things off me. We started again. Then, another cut and more bunches of things came off. Then we kissed again. [She laughs.] It gave me an insight into sex at that time. There must have been quite a lot of energy and time spent disrobing. It was exhausting just to get out of the dress."

Sir Walter Raleigh: "How am I to win the Queen's favor?"
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "Why should I tell you that?"
Sir Walter Raleigh: "I've little enough to offer, but whatever I have to give, ask and it's yours."
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "Say what you mean to say as plainly as possible. All men flatter the Queen in hope of advancement. Pay her the compliment of truth."

Elizabeth Throckmorton: "The puddle man is outside, Majesty."

Sir Walter Raleigh: "It is something, after all, to take a blank on the map and build there a shining city."
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "Which you will, no doubt, name after yourself."
Sir Walter Raleigh: "No doubt."

Queen Elizabeth I: "I suspect him of being a professional charmer. Am I right?"
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "He is certainly charming, my lady."
Queen Elizabeth I: "Well, there are duller professions. You like him, don't you?"
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "He's a man that lives in a world far beyond the court. It's refreshing."
Queen Elizabeth I: "Well, we shall let him come again."

Queen Elizabeth I: "More lines on my face. Where do they come from?"
Elizabeth Throckmorton: "Smile lines, my lady."
Queen Elizabeth I: "Smile lines? When do I ever smile?"

• Queen Elizabeth I: [speaking about Walter Raleigh] "He interests me, talk to him." Elizabeth Throckmorton: "Him, Your Majesty?"
Queen Elizabeth I: [smiling] "Him."

• Queen Elizabeth I: "My bitches wear my collars!"

• Queen Elizabeth I: "Male desire confers no distinction."

• Queen Elizabeth I: "I've heard it's customary to have a husband before producing an heir."

• Sir Walter Raleigh: [interrupting Elizabeth hitting Bess] "Majesty, this is not the Queen I love and serve."

• Queen Elizabeth I: "May we have wisdom not to fear shadows in the night, and courage when the day of danger truly dawns."

• Queen Elizabeth I: "We all know that if I fall you all come tumbling down with me."

• William Walsingham: "We will all be judged in the end."

• King Philip ll of Spain: "Elizabeth is darkness. I am light."

• Queen Elizabeth I: "By God, England will not fall while I am Queen."

• Sir Walter Raleigh: "We mortals have many weaknesses; we feel too much, hurt too much or too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love."

• coming soon

From Critics

• "The costumes and settings are nearly overwhelming. Reviewing the earlier film, I suggested that Shekhar Kapur was perhaps influenced by the rich colors and tapestries of his native India. Here he seems carried away by them. There are scenes where the elaborate lace on Elizabeth's costume is so detailed and flawless that we don't think about the character, we wonder how long Blanchett must have had to stand there while holding the pose and not ruffling anything."
- Rogert Ebert

• "Overall, pic takes a small-minded view of history and, in its rush to proceed from one tumultuous event to the next, lacks any sense of occasion relative to the significant pageant it attempts to depict. There's no view of Elizabeth other than that she was a human being, too, but that is hardly enough."

"Cornish is perfectly comely as the court hottie..."
- Todd McCarthy, Variety

While it is not a perfect movie, I found Elizabeth: The Golden Age entertaining and more so wonderfully put together. The costumes especially are quite something! Abbie is lovely in the role of Bess. She brings vulnerability to this character and you will find yourself rooting for her every step of the way. Her chemistry is wonderful with Cate Blanchett. I do wish Abbie's part had been more prominent but she does have a decent amount of screentime." - Riikka

While I did find The Golden Age entertaining, I still would not call myself a fan of the film itself - it is one that could have been worse, but could have also been better. The costumes are asbolutely breathtaking to say the least. Abbie is great as Bess, She looks so stunning in every frame and her performance is just fantastic. I adored the scenes she shares with Cate Blanchett; the more tender moments like on the boat and in my opinion the best scene when Elizabeth confronts Bess with her relationship with Raleigh - both ladies are absolutely powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I hope they will work together again soon. I do agree and wish her role was more prominent but I really loved Abbie in the movie none the less!" - Mycah