Elizabeth I stars Helen Mirren as the famous monarch who often frightened her subjects with he ability to change emotions on a dime. In addition to facing a variety of political problems, the film charts some of the major relationships in her life. Jeremy Irons stars as the Earl of Leicester, the queens longtime companion. Hugh Dancy portrays the flighty but ambitious Earl of Essex, who carries on a relationship with the monarch even though there was a substantial difference in their age. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide