Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth

Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth
Still from the film, showing Tellegen and Bernhardt
Directed byLouis Mercanton
Henri Desfontaines
Written byÉmile Moreau
Based onÉmile Moreau's original play and script
Produced byLouis Mercanton
StarringSarah Bernhardt
Lou Tellegen
CinematographyClément Maurice
Music byJoseph Carl Breil
Distributed byL'Histrionic Film (France)
Famous Players Film Company (USA)
Release dates
  • July 12, 1912 (1912-07-12) (United States premiere)
  • August 1912 (1912-08) (France)
Running time
53 minutes (France)
44 minutes (Video version) (USA)
CountryFrance

Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth (The Loves of Queen Elizabeth), Les Amours d'Élisabeth, Reine d'Angleterre (The Loves of Elizabeth, Queen of England) or La reine Élisabeth (Queen Elizabeth) is a 1912 feature 3-reel French silent film[1] based on the love affair between Elizabeth I of England and the Earl of Essex. It was condensed from a play of the same name and directed by Louis Mercanton and Henri Desfontaines.[1] The film starred Sarah Bernhardt as Elizabeth[1][2][3] and Lou Tellegen as Essex.[1] Bernhardt by then was 68[1] and said of the film "This is my last chance at immortality". She and Tellegen were already romantically involved,[4][5] and this was their second film together. Émile Moreau's play ran for twelve performances in Paris.[6]

Cast

Production

Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth production company, L’Histrionic Film,[6] was forced into liquidation by Pathé Frères during the film's production, but it was completed with funds from Adolph Zukor. Zukor also brought it to New York City, where it premiered at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway.[7] The film's US release (on State Rights basis, on 12 July 1912) was the first release from the Famous Players Film Company. Its success convinced other American companies that feature films were commercially viable. Famous Players, which advertised "Famous Players in Famous Plays", later became Famous Players–Lasky, and then Paramount Pictures.[8] It was shot in London.[1]

Queen Elizabeth had one of the earliest dedicated film scores, composed by Joseph Carl Breil specifically for the production.[9][10]

Reception

Most modern critics believe that Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth represents regression in cinematography and acting.[7] In the 2006 book Intermediality in Theatre and Performance, editors Chiel Kattenbelt and Freda Chapple felt Bernhardt succeeded in creating an artefact that intentionally signified cryptically.[11]

Release

The film was released on DVD in 2011.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Parrill, Sue; Robison, William B. (2013). The Tudors on Film and Television (eBook). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 185. ISBN 978-1476600314.
  2. ^ "Portraying The Queen". The Vindicator. Ogden Newspapers. St. Petersburg Times. March 9, 1999. p. 25. ISSN 0890-9857. OCLC 12961328. Retrieved August 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Merck, Mandy, ed. (2016). The British Monarchy on Screen (eBook). Manchester: Manchester University Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-1526113047.
  4. ^ Skinner 1967, pp. 310–313.
  5. ^ Skinner 1966, pp. 310–313.
  6. ^ a b White, John (2016). European Art Cinema (eBook). Milton Park: Taylor & Francis. p. 19. ISBN 978-1317572060.
  7. ^ a b Latham, Bethany (2011). Elizabeth I in Film and Television: A Study of the Major Portrayals (eBook). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 17. ISBN 978-0786485147.
  8. ^ Latham, Bethany (2011). Elizabeth I in Film and Television: A Study of the Major Portrayals (eBook). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 16. ISBN 978-0786485147.
  9. ^ "Musical accompaniment to Sarah Bernahardt's play, Queen Elizabeth". Library of Congress. United States Government Publishing Office. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "Music for Silent Film: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress". Library of Congress. United States Government Publishing Office. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  11. ^ Kattenbelt, Chiel; Chapple, Freda, eds. (2006). Intermediality in Theatre and Performance (Paperback). Boston: Rodopi. p. 47. ISBN 978-9042016293.
  12. ^ Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth (DVD). Madison, Wisconsin: Grapevine Video. 2011 [1912]. ASIN B002MSC50G.

Sources


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