The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
“Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom.”
This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England.
Where to watch The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex in United States
HBO Max Amazon Channel
YouTube TV
IndieFlix
HBO Max
IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel
Fawesome
Plex
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, IndieFlix, HBO Max | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | Plex | — |
| United Kingdom | Plex | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Plex | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | Plex | Amazon Video |
| Germany | Plex | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, maxdome Store |
| France | Plex, Molotov TV | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Spain | Plex | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Brazil | Looke, Oldflix, Looke Amazon Channel, NetMovies | — |
| Japan | Plex | — |
About The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is a 1939 English-language drama, history and romance film directed by Michael Curtiz. The cast is led by Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland. It has a runtime of 1h 46m. Viewers rate it 6.3/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, IndieFlix.
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and made in United States of America. It was released on November 11, 1939, and carries a NR certification.
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Writers
- Norman Reilly Raine, Æneas MacKenzie
- Release date
- November 11, 1939
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Production
- Warner Bros. Pictures
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex cast & crew
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex was directed by Michael Curtiz and written by Norman Reilly Raine and Æneas MacKenzie.
The cast features Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth, Errol Flynn as The Earl of Essex, Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope Gray, Donald Crisp as Francis Bacon, Alan Hale as The Prince of Tyrone, and Vincent Price as Sir Walter Raleigh.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, cinematography is by Sol Polito, and it was produced by Hal B. Wallis.
Is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex worth watching?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex holds an audience score of 6.3/10 from 96 ratings, a solidly received drama films.
At 1h 46m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy drama, history, and romance, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
In United States, you can stream The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, IndieFlix, HBO Max, and IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
Bette Davis
Queen Elizabeth
Errol Flynn
The Earl of Essex
Olivia de Havilland
Lady Penelope Gray
Donald Crisp
Francis Bacon
Alan Hale
The Prince of Tyrone
Vincent Price
Sir Walter Raleigh
Henry Stephenson
Lord Burghley
Henry Daniell
Sir Robert Cecil
James Stephenson
Sir Thomas Egerton
Nanette Fabray
Mistress Margaret Radcliffe
Ralph Forbes
Lord Knollys
Robert Warwick
Lord Mountjoy
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex in United States?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, IndieFlix, HBO Max in United States.
▸Is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex on HBO Max Amazon Channel?
Yes — The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is currently available on HBO Max Amazon Channel in United States.
▸What language is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex in?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is originally in English, with audio tracks including English, Italian. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex runs 1 hours 46 minutes (106 minutes).
▸What is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex rated?
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is rated NR. It holds a 6.3/10 audience score from 96 ratings.
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