Contributor
Graham, Roderick.
Imprint:[England] : BBC Video ; [Burbank, CA : Distributed by Warner Home Video, 2001].
Description4 videodiscs ( approx. 172 min. each) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Note:Originally produced as a Masterpiece Theatre television production in 1971.
Note:Disc. 1. The Lion's cub ; The marriage game -- Disc. 2. Shadow in the Sun ; Horrible conspiracies -- Disc. 3. The Enterprise of England ; Sweet England's pride -- Disc. 4. Special Features.
Note:Disc. 1. LION'S CLUB--Admiral Seymour is arrested trying to abduct the boy King Edward VI, and Princess Elizabeth is implicated in the plot. She maintains her innocence and is cleared of all guilt. Upon Edward's death, her elder sister, Mary, a devout Catholic, becomes Queen and rigidly forces her faith on the realm. Elizabeth refuses to conform. Mary's plan to wed the Catholic King Philip of Spain incites a rebellion to install Elizabeth on the throne. The Princess is imprisoned in the Tower of London and faces execution. But Mary's marriage to King Philip produces no heir, and she soon dies, clearing the way for Elizabeth to be proclaimed Queen. -- THE MARRIAGE GAME --Elizabeth, 25 years old and unmarried, is urged by Parliament and her Council to find a husband and have children. But the only man who interests her is Lord Robert Dudley, her Master of the Horse, who is already married. Dudley's wife dies in mysterious circumstances, and Elizabeth dubs him Earl of Leicester, and offers him as a husband to Mary, Queen of Scots, a rival claimant to the British throne. The unsuccessful plan drives Elizabeth and Dudley's own relationship to a point of crisis, prompting them to contemplate marriage. But Elizabeth misses their rendezvous, and Dudley realizes the Queen will never marry him, though she will always need him by her side.
Note:Disc. 2. SHADOW IN THE SUN--The French, battling the Spaniards in the Netherlands, seek an alliance with England. To cement the bond between the countries, a marriage is proposed between Elizabeth and the young brother of the French King, the Duc d'Alencon. The union will give the English more control over French power and an heir to the throne. But when the Duc comes to England to pursue the courtship, public opinion turns against the marriage. Agreement on the alliance is achieved, but the French insist it be sealed by a royal wedding. Leicester protests. But when the Queen discovers a secret about the Earl, it sets in motion a chain of events that puts Alencon on the British throne. -- HORRIBLE CONSPIRACIES-- Mary Queen of Scots is in captivity. Elizabeth is urged to have her executed, thus ending the Catholic plots centered around the rival Queen. Yet Elizabeth is reluctant to have Mary put to death without ample cause.From within her court, a plot is hatched to provide justification. A Catholic courtier is induced to organize a plot to kill Elizabeth and install Mary on the throne. A double agent apprises Mary of the plan, and she endorses it in a letter. When the letter is intercepted, Mary is tried and found guilty of conspiracy. Though Elizabeth delays signing the warrant for her death, Mary is finally beheaded, an execution Elizabeth will always bitterly regret.
Note:Disc. 3. THE ENTERPRISE OF ENGLAND--Philip of Spain is determined to avenge the death of Mary Queen of Scots, and proposes to launch a massive naval fleet he calls the Enterprise of England for battle. Elizabeth, wary of war and weary of its costs, pursues peace talks with the Spaniards in the Netherlands. Walsingham insists the negotiations are merely a cover to give the Spaniards more time to prepare their fleet for war, and urges the Queen to mobilize her forces. She finally agrees, and with war imminent, Elizabeth travels to rally her troops. The English victory is complete, yet the occasion is marred by sadness. Upon returning to London Elizabeth learns news that sends her into despair. -- ENGLAND'S SWEET PRIDE--Elizabeth's dashing young favorite, the Earl of Essex, angered over developments at court, decamps on his country estate. Miserable without him, she rewards his return by making him Earl Marshal. But he is unhappy with a rival's appointment to Lord Deputy of Ireland, and eventually Elizabeth gives him that appointment as well. Sent to Ireland to suppress trouble fomented by the Earl of Tyrone, Essex's misconduct infuriates Elizabeth. She resists putting him on trial, and cuts off his income instead. The haughty Essex rides into the city with his followers, planning to lead an uprising. Now Elizabeth faces one last challenge to her long and legendary reign.
Note:Disc. 4. -- Special Features.
Note : PerformerGlenda Jackson.
Location Note : REQUEST AT THE CHECK-OUT DESK.
