The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
“Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom.”
Synopsis
This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) - Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2021-04-01
Top Cast
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Bette Davis
Queen Elizabeth
Errol Flynn
The Earl of Essex
Olivia de Havilland
Lady Penelope Gray
Donald Crisp
Francis Bacon
Alan Hale
The Prince of Tyrone
Vincent Price
Sir Walter Raleigh
Henry Stephenson
Lord Burghley
Henry Daniell
Sir Robert Cecil
James Stephenson
Sir Thomas Egerton
Nanette Fabray
Mistress Margaret Radcliffe
Ralph Forbes
Lord Knollys
Robert Warwick
Lord Mountjoy
Leo G. Carroll
Sir Edward Coke
Guy Bellis
Lord Charles Howard (uncredited)
Jacob Dance
Essex's Soldier (uncredited)
Forrester Harvey
Bit Part (uncredited)
Holmes Herbert
Majordomo (uncredited)
I. Stanford Jolley
Spectator Outside Whitehall Palace (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
Beverly Hills, California
Festival / Special Debut
November 11, 1939
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Screenplay & Story
- Norman Reilly Raine, Aeneas MacKenzie
- Original Score
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
- Original Title
- The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Italian
- Runtime
- 1h 46m
- Production Studios
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michael Curtiz
Norman Reilly Raine, Aeneas MacKenzie, Maxwell Anderson
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Sol Polito
Owen Marks
Hal B. Wallis
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Curtiz
Director
Norman Reilly Raine
Screenplay
Aeneas MacKenzie
Screenplay
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Original Music Composer
Sol Polito
Director of Photography
Owen Marks
Editor
Orry-Kelly
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex about?
This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.
Who directed The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex was directed by Michael Curtiz.
Who stars in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?
The principal cast of The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex includes Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale.
When was The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex released and how long is it?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex was released in 1939 with a total runtime of 1h 46m.
Who composed the musical score for The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex was composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).