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 Mollà) - 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.

• "Wearing that corset every single day for 14 hours is tough. It took some getting used to. All your organs are pressed — 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 — 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."

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• 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.
From 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!
From Mycah

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