Elizabeth R (TV Mini Series) Shadow in the Sun (1971) User Reviews

The pressure builds up, causing the possibility of a crackup.

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 27 September 2019]

Still lively yet being pressured to marry and sure an heir, Queen Elizabeth faces her stiffest female competition yet: the informidable Catherine de Medici (Margaretta Scott) who desires for all of her children to be rulers, and sends her youngest son ( Francis, Duke of Alençon) to woo the virgin queen. Rather crude and ruthless, Catherine de Medici is similar in old world female power to Empress Livia of Rome and Eleanor of Acquataine. The vulnerable Elizabeth falls for the charms of the determined Duke, but finds obstacles with objections from the court. There's also threats of a war with Spain which would impact her union with France.

Veteran British actress Margareta Scott delivers an outrageous performance that starts with two little people in costume, mocking Elizabeth and the Duke of Leischester in a skit. It reminds me in staging of something that Mozart might have set to music in one of his operatic burlesques.

A rather shocking scene has Elizabeth's womb being prodded to see if she's able to give birth, culminating with Jackson being prodded by male doctors. There's also more intrigue in the court with Queen Elizabeth being betrayed on several occasions, banishing one friend, and sending another to the tower. While Jackson had displayed her assertiveness in earlier episodes, here she gets to lose her temper, and it displays the fact that Queen Elizabeth was torn between her love of governing and serving her subjects and her natural desires as a woman.

Shadow in the Sun

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 14 April 2023]

Just maybe marriage is in the air for Elizabeth. As was the case in the era. Marriage between royal families of rival countries could lead to formidable alliances.

François, Duke of Alençon is the Huguenot sympathising younger brother of the French king. The latter who has recently massacred Huguenot protestants.

François might be pock marked, short and have a bad back. He goes all out to woo Queen Elizabeth. On offer are several dominions that François could rule.

Elizabeth has been charmed by him. Her advisors are more cautious and more anti Catholic. Will the people of England accept François?

Once again the episode is overlong. It is also all studio bound. There is even a camera wobble during the dancing scene.

The biggest offender was the scene set in France. François is in a bed with a wench and you only fathom that the action has moved to France when his advisor bursts in talking about a rough sea crossing.

Looking back at it over 50 years later. Some of the dialogue, especially during the courting scenes must have inspired Blackadder II.