« Mel's Blog - Love | Main | Wooden Worlds »
July 14, 2006 | 09:17 PM
A Dance to the Music of Time
Friday 14th July. 2.00 PM – ‘A’ Stage, Shepperton Studios. Another dance today but in a very different vein from Raleigh and Bess’ volta. Today it is the Queen who dances with Raleigh in one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.
As there was no dialogue in this morning’s work it’s perhaps an odd choice of scene to write about but it is one of those moments where the choreography of the dance, the lighting, the movement of the camera and the performance of the actors come together to say more than words.
Here is Elizabeth momentarily forgetting the loneliness of power, forgetting the pain and danger of the present, forgetting the long years that have passed. Although she was no younger a young woman by the time she met Raleigh, in this dance we see the girl still trapped inside and in her face we witness the memory of a dance that should have happened years before. If it had then it might have changed everything.
Justin
5 Comments Posted. Post your comment
Hey justin,
I have mentioned before, the lack of historical evidence that relates to Raleigh and dance. How could a dance scene be the most powerful scene of this movie with all that has happened so far, Mary's head that came off, Spanish Armada, the cloak, secrets and the New World. Why Justin do you feel the dance scene with Raleigh and Elizabeth to be so powerful?
and Cindy how come there is no poetry of my words or others? lol
WR
Awesome, Justin!! I like the way you describe Elizabeth's discernment...
Sir Walter, perhaps this dance-element of Elizabeth's crown-imprisoned life; shows her soft side? In that, love gives a powerful message...? yes? maybe? : )
Dear Sir,
It is beyond "me" ...purely compellation.
Please note, not all of Justin's writings have a decoded poem.
It's a mystery to me too! Ahahahahahaaaa
Indeed, I very well ask myself your same question:)
Cinda
North,
I think you are on to something when pointing out Elizabeth's "discernment." Her elder sister, Mary, sought out the consolation of "The Blessed Virgin" (in "Elizabeth"). In a previous scene, Elizabeth was reading "The Consolation of Philosophy" by Boethius (which she actually translated, by the way). And in this scene we see the lost consolation of love?
Yesterday, I watched "Elizabeth" with Shekhar's comments enabled and that word "consolation" stuck out in an odd way. I also think Shekhar's comments on the voltas in "Elizabeth" certainly shed light here on this scene.
Hence, your assignment for Cinema 101 is to re-watch "Elizabeth" with Shekhar's comments enabled. There may be a pop quiz . . .
Bill
Dance to the Music
Dance today
in one of the most powerful scenes
as there was no dialogue
in this work
Perhaps an odd choice of scene
It is one of those moments
where the dance
say more than words
Momentarily forgetting
the loneliness
the pain and danger
~forgetting
In this dance
we see inside
and witness
the memory
the memory of a dance
that should have happened years before
If it had then
it might have changed
...everything