Elizabeth was a multi award winning film made in 1998
depicting the early life and reign of queen Elizabeth the first. It was loosely
based on actual historical events and took a fantasy approach. Focusing more on
how the queen might have felt as she learned what it meant to be a monarch. Her
relationships were also a strong part of the story line.
Elizabeth won an academy award for makeup artistry in 1998.
Jenny Shircore accepted the award on behalf of her team. The hair and makeup
played a powerful role in the movie, changing throughout and signifying growth
for the queen.
In the beginning the queen can be seen as a young girl playing
with her friends. She has long flowing red hair and a fair complexion, Flushed
rosy cheeks and natural pink lips symbolizing her innocence and youth. After
her half sister Mary the first passed away Elizabeth took her place on the
throne as queen of England. As time goes on and she adjusts to her role, her
hair becomes a bit more structured and has a little more volume in the front.
Symbolizing maturity. This continues and she gradually loses her flowing style
of her youth and adopts a more serious look. There seems to be a synchronization between Elizabeth's changing looks and the plot of the film. The
more betrayals she faces, the more she grows and the colder she becomes. Her looks then become stronger
with intricate up-dos and paler makeup. She starts to white out her eyebrows
and use less pink on her cheeks and lips. Her clothes, hair and makeup become
armour to her. With elaborate ornamental hairpieces displaying her wealth and
power. The once innocent girl, by the end, completely embodies her
role/character as queen. Her shedding her hair represents rebirth. Letting go
of her sensitive former self and stepping into her new cold, hard character
needed to rule a nation.
The costume and beauty department relied on portraits of the
real Queen Elizabeth the first as inspiration for creating the looks in the
film. Although the film is loosely based on actual events, the costumes and
hair and makeup were kept as close to real history as possible.
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