This Oscar winning sequel to ‘Elizabeth’ was directed by Shekhar Kapur and based loosely around the events leading up the invasion by the Spanish Armada during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The story begins in 1585. King Philip II (Jordi Molla) of Spain plans to make war on England and add it to the Spanish empire. Meanwhile Elizabeth is still being encouraged to marry by Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) to produce an heir to the throne otherwise it will pass to the Catholic born, Mary Queen of Scots or Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton). Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) is subsequently presented at court and Elizabeth is immediately drawn to him. She calls upon her lady in waiting, Elizabeth ‘Bess’ Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish) to watch him but she too is attracted to Raleigh and the couple begin an affair. An assassination attempt is then made on Elizabeth’s life by a Jesuit group who are conspiring with Philip to put Mary on the English throne. Walsingham becomes aware of his brother’s involvement in the plot and has him imprisoned. He then advises Elizabeth who confronts the Spanish ambassador (William Houston); he then leaves court. Mary is subsequently executed and Philip begins to prepare for war on England.
Release / Airing: 02/11/2007
Locations used for this production:
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Burghley House >
The house was used as Dr John Dee's (David Threlfall) house (exteriors only). Scenes were also shot on the estate to depict London alley ways and Paris streets.
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Ely Cathedral >
The production spent almost two weeks filming at Ely Cathedral, filming in the Nave the key scenes in which Elizabeth confronts the Spanish Ambassador with the Spanish plot and her reaction to the news that Mary has been executed. Producers drafted in local extras of all ages for big set pieces in Elizabeth's court giving the chance to Cambridgeshire residents to appear in the film amongst Hollywood's elite.
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Hatfield House >
Filmmakers dressed the North Entrance Hall and the Armoury at Hatfield House, replacing the wood panelling with stone, and transforming it into Mary Queen of Scots' Private Quarters at Chartley Hall, where she was incarcerated for a time prior to her execution. The filmmakers also used parts of Hatfield - specifically the Marble Hall, the Grand Staircase and the Long Gallery for Walsingham's London house. Geoffrey Rush, who played Sir Francis Walsingham, commented: The first day of filming, for me, was the death scene and we'd recreated [Sir Francis] Walsingham's bedroom in Hatfield House and we knew that she had walked there some 450 years earlier. It just ups your game because you play into it with a greater sense of relish."
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St John's College >
St John's College, the second largest of the constituent Colleges of the University of Cambridge, was used as Whitehall Palace for one of the great fabled scenes from Elizabeth's reign; the first meeting between the Queen and Raleigh, where he purportedly threw down his cloak to cover a muddy puddle in the road - hence preventing the Royal feet from getting dirty.
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The River Cam >
The River Cam doubled for the River Thames for the Royal Barge scene where Elizabeth, her ladies and Walsingham are traveling on the Queen's barge - the same barge that was used for A Man For All Seasons.
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These productions were filmed nearby:
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