The Virgin Queen

Bette Davis gives an amazing performance of England's Queen Elizabeth the 1st. Still a virgin as an older woman (in this version), the determined & dedicated Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh. But, in a secret ceremony on a night that the Queen's own hand maiden (a very young looking Joan Collins) seduces Raleigh, just when he doubts himself. Believing he failed to impress the Queen enough for her to grant him 3 ships, he marries Collins & impregnates her.

To the surprise of Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth is most impressed by him & summons him to her bedroom where she knights him, Sir Walter Raleigh. Then, gives him one ship. Now he's in a fix between two women enamored with him.

There's much more to the story. Watching Davis & Collins together is quite the contrast in acting styles. Although the "Dynasty" Collins is much more like Davis as the Queen: temperamental, shrewd, demanding, and impeccable with the delivery of an excellent script, juxtaposed as the two actors are in this film, it's quite obvious how Davis & Collins take a great deal of care with their difference delivery styles of speech.

This film made me prefer Davis' Queen Elizabeth the 1st over other characterizations. I can't imagine a living actress who could become this particular staged Queen, as well as does Davis. (And I have watched Cate Blanchett). After all it's a tall order to go into role better than Bette Davis.