Virgin Queen, The (1955): Henry Koster’s Historical Epic, Starring Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins

 

Set in 1581, the tale begins when Walter Raleigh, recently returned from fighting in Ireland, pressures unwilling tavern patrons into freeing from the mud the stuck carriage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

When Leicester wishes to repay the kindness, Raleigh asks for an introduction to Queen Elizabeth I, to whom Leicester is a trusted adviser.