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“Not in Alexandria, or Rome or Camelot has there been such a Queen,” are among the colorful words used to describe Queen Eleanor in this masterpiece. I have loved Kate Hepburn ever since I was a kid. For me she is perhaps the greatest American film actress, and this is I think her greatest triumph captured on film. For me she’s Eleanor. I am in the middle of an Alison Weir biography on the life of my favorite Queen, and decided to show my love for her various different re-incarnations across the film world.

Glenn Close is one of the finest and most diverse actresses of today, and she continues to get better and better over the years. I had not originally paid much attention to this Eleanor when it first debuted on television, but I have come to watch her performance many, many times over the years and appreciate it today. She has some very beautiful scenes in this film. I would describe her as a very demonstrative Eleanor, she has an outstanding, regal physical presence she exhibits in several scenes, yet she is an extremely vulnerable Eleanor with a high-strung temperament. Her face is luminous and expressive.

The high emotion levels Glenn brings make me inclined to take what she says at face-value more often, I think that is very dangerous to do with Kate, whose performance and character is more methodical. I think Glenn's Eleanor resembles her eldest surviving son Richard in her temperament, but I think Kate's is actually closer to Geoffrey's.

Kate is of course oozing with natural charisma, but I also think she's a master at weaving gold into platinum when it comes to the delivery of Goldman's delectable dialogue. She has more wit, Glenn, and I think the cast in general of the 2003 adaptation are often more serious in tone.

I enjoy making comparisons between the two. I like both performances, and I think this particular scene was a great score for both actresses. Who do you prefer her? Do you like both, just one, neither?

Goddess of the silver screen versus a living legend.

Queen Eleanor is estranged from her three sons and husband Henry II, who has placed her under house arrest. Eleanor wishes for her oldest surviving and favorite son Richard to succeed after Henry is gone. While Henry grooms his favorite, John the less capable and youngest son, to succeed. When Eleanor gets an invitation by Henry to come to court at Chignon for Christmas, she gets busy with her plots! Her first priority is to talk to Richard. In this scene her prodigal son brings out both the mother and politician in her.

You might also want to discuss what you think of the two Richards. It is always a pleasure to see the young and already preciously talented Anthony Hopkins. Andrew Howard, who acts opposite Glenn Close was a revelation to me, I’ve seen so little of his work, but can certainly see that he is a brilliant actor based on his interpretation of Richard the Lionheart.

All rights reserved to the copyright holders, this video was made for the purpose of comparison and comment. Read my criticism above.