Queens

I love historical dramas but, alias, this was a disappointment. I give it '6' stars because the high-level historical events were pretty accurate, otherwise it would have got maybe '4'. However when you get down to the details things got banal, bordering on the inane. Lots of sexs panders to popular tastes, no doubt, but portraying a Elizabeth I as a promiscuous slut totally ignores the historical facts. Though she might have hd one liason, that with Robert Dudley, there is no proof or even evidence of any others. The portrayal of Mary Stuart isn't much better, e.g. a love affair with the Earl of Boswell is possible but it's just as likely he raped her. The costumes are gorgeous but boar only a vague likeness to historic reality -- necklines just didn't plunge that far. Likewise the many for the building interiors were unlike real Elizabethan architecture. Acting and directing were mediocre at best. The best performance I'd say was from Rebecca Scott as Elizabeth I; Olivia Chenery as Mary Stuart is 2nd rate. Finally in my personal opinion Elizabeth might actually have been a virgin, bit Mary certainly was not a martyr, she was the victim of her own ineptitude as a ruler.

This series was only fair. It seemed unauthentic and the dialogue was stilted. There was so many different characters it was hard to keep them straight, especially the men.

Most excellent historical drama of the subject matter I have ever seen. The acting is par excellence. The nuances of each character are riveting. The actors are physically beautiful to behold. The settings are realistic. The costumes are so real I can smell the stench of the unbathed.

The production is beautiful, but as to the story, it is more drama than history. It seems by now obligatory to include same-sex intrigues which are not supported by history. In this case, not only is it false and a distraction from the historic aspects, but it also confuses the story line very badly.

I am totally obsessed with these two women so I won't bore you with the historical issues because after all a good story can always get better. My issues with this production are greatly with the seamstress and the acting director. Such amazing fabrics, such horrible fitting! Everyone's dresses looked they were playing dress up in their mothers clothing. The corsets were well not there and the dresses looked like they were sewn by the lady who made my high school play's costumes (not that she isn't great but Hollywood isn't knocking down her door). The tops were loose and ill fitting right up to the cuts on the collars! Now mind you I can't sew my way out of a paper bag so I am in no way a costumer which is why this irritates me even more. I had a hard time watching because I wanted to just reach in and adjust a top here or a collar there. I am however a history enthusiast and well that is a bit of an issue with these costumes as well. I also have take issue with the acting in this. Such great actresses but all the interactions seem forced and unnatural and the dialogue well again much like my high school play productions. I felt like I was watching a low budget series that spent all their money on fabric and then went "Oh hell we have to pay costumers and directors" and just let the props boy do both! I give 2 stars because well...I do love me some Queens!!!!!!