In World War II days, the films involving Queen Elizabeth dealt with the adversaries being Spain and England, with strong reflections of the axis powers and the allied forces. However, in this modern adaptation of the historical Elizabethan period, the film concentrates more on the strife between Catholics and Protestants, rather than rival nations. In our decade of seeming peace, the major rivals in the world seem to be mostly religious factions. Even today in Northern Ireland, the struggle continues between Catholics and Protestants. The film uses this social problem as its vehicle for presenting a divided nation in which the viewers can relate to the plight. If they had used the war between Spain and England, the impact may not have carried itself as well.

Elizabeth seems remarkably similar to Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, in that a simple, innocent child is thrust in command of one of the world’s most powerful nations. This is very like Michael Corleone’s transformation from innocence to the head of the Mafia. Both Elizabeth and Don Corleone walk into adulthood as powerful leaders of their kingdoms.

Another important similarity between The Godfather and Elizabeth is the assassinations at the end of each film. Elizabeth’s murder of the opposition to the crown is very much like the killing of the heads of the five families in the first Godfather. The effective technique of cutting from murder to murder is consistent in each film. When all the opposition is dead, they sit at the head of their respective organizations, but now in seemingly complete control of the world.