The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

Where to Watch The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) (Legally)

Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom.
Nov 11, 1939 US 106 min 12
6.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
96 votes
Drama History Romance
Where can I watch “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” legally?
We don’t host streams or downloads. Below are legal provider hints for the US region first, with a fallback for other English-speaking regions if available.

US providers

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▶ Check legal availability Alternative: search on JustWatch

English-region fallback

Found availability signals for: GB
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Where to watch “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” (1939) legally online? See US options first, with English-region fallbacks.

What to expect (spoiler-free)

Planning a movie night? This is a spoiler-free snapshot of “ (1939).

Genre-wise, it leans into Drama, History, Romance, with a runtime around 106 minutes.

Cast highlights include Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Donald Crisp.

The listed certification for some regions is “ (ratings vary by country).

Topics & keywords

queen, queen elizabeth i, tudor, earl, 16th century, british monarchy

Official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

Plot

This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.

If you liked this, try

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) Orlando (1992) Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) The Duchess (2008) Jane Eyre (1996) The Girl King (2015) Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) Tristan & Isolde (2006) Queen of the Desert (2015) First Knight (1995)

Gallery

Still from the movie The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Still from the movie The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Still from the movie The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

FAQs

Where can I watch it legally?
We only share legal viewing options. Check the “Where to watch” box above for your region and verify on official listings.
Is it available for free?
Free availability depends on region, promotions, or ad-supported services. Always verify on legal providers—availability changes frequently.

Main cast

Bette Davis
Bette Davis
as Queen Elizabeth
Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
as The Earl of Essex
Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland
as Lady Penelope Gray
Donald Crisp
Donald Crisp
as Francis Bacon
Alan Hale
Alan Hale
as The Prince of Tyrone
Vincent Price
Vincent Price
as Sir Walter Raleigh
Henry Stephenson
Henry Stephenson
as Lord Burghley
Henry Daniell
Henry Daniell
as Sir Robert Cecil
James Stephenson
James Stephenson
as Sir Thomas Egerton
Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray
as Mistress Margaret Radcliffe