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Historians Already Sizing Up 'The Golden Age'

It is inevitable that if a film comes out that is based on real people, civilizations or events, historians will be there to cry foul when a filmmaker mucks it up. Many times I agree with them -- not so much because I think films should be perfect historical documents, but because a lot of changes are just rude liberties, complete and utter fallacies or really unnecessary. Is that the case with the new Queen Elizabeth movie -- The Golden Age? I'm not so sure. Historians aren't too happy with the sequel, claiming that the artistic license taken in the film is interfering with historical evidence. The movie shows the Queen (Cate Blanchett) longing for a relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). However, since she fears losing her crown, she pushes her confidant Elizabeth Throckmorton at him -- so she can live vicariously through the other woman.

Screenwriter William Nicholson says it's a "relationship by proxy," because she's "a sexual being who is in love with Raleigh and who wants intimacy. But she knows a full-blown relationship with Raleigh would be political dynamite." The truth behind the story is that Raleigh and Throckmorton were secretly married and imprisoned for the marriage. While some, like lecturer Anna Beer say: "There may be an emotional truth in these claims, but there is no physical or historical evidence to support them," that's a bit different than an all-out change in history. This could have possibly happened, or not, but either way, the scenario fits into the history of the real players. And really, it's tame license compared to other Tudor liberties out there.

Have any of you been watching that show based on good on Liz's dad, The Tudors? (Spoiler Alert for TV Fans) Don't pay any attention to this run-down, which says that it's pretty accurate aside from some physical attributes. Ignoring smaller points like age and looks, the show has had fun with the royal family's past. Just one of the liberties revolved around wiping the real Margaret Tudor from the historical map, changing her sister Mary's name to Margaret and then, killing her off for extra drama points. In reality, she had three children with Brandon and was most definitely around for Henry's annulment. Now that is taking dramatic license too far.

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