Nominated for five Osacrs, Michael Curtiz's lush historical drama stars Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth I, with Errol Flynn as one of her favourites, the Earl of Essex. She is infatuated with him but is also aware he has designs on her throne. Essex, while not immune to her charms, has a roving eye which encourages Lady Penelope Gray, only for her hopes to be dashed. Donald Crisp plays Francis Bacon, friend to both the Queen and the Earl while among those plotting Essex's downfall are Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Robert Cecil.
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is a Film programme that first aired in 1939 and has been classified a U certificate.
