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"Ben Hur," "El Cid," "Spartacus," "The Fall of The Roman Empire" and the more contemporary "Patton" are some of the most memorable historical epics we baby boomers grew up with, movies that so dazzled us they went on to become classics of the cinema. And for many of us, they helped kindle an interest in history that stayed with us throughout our lives. Even though we later learned the dubious nature of the history in these movies, we never lost our reverence for these films.

"Elizabeth: The Golden Age" is a movie that can keep company with the best of these classics. A sequel to 1998's "Elizabeth" (Has it really been almost ten years?), the original's stunning cast is largely intact: Cate Blanchett, who won a Best Actress Oscar the first time around, returns in the title role along with Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's advisor. The big change comes with Elizabeth's romantic interest, as Joseph Fiennes is replaced with the dashing Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh.

The nice thing about reviewing historical epics is that our editors can't cut copy for "giving away too much of the story," since the basic story line is already known. Thus, here's what happens in the movie: Philip, King of Spain, is a religious fanatic determined to restore Catholicism to England. Elizabeth – the daughter of Henry VIII, mastermind of England's departure from the Catholic fold – is equally determined to resist, decreeing religious freedom and refusing to crack down on the substantial numbers of still-practicing Catholics in England.

Meanwhile, the Queen falls in love with Sir Walter Raleigh, who unfortunately falls in love with the Queen's chief Lady-in-Waiting. When Spain finally launches an invasion with the Spanish Armada, Sir Walter Raleigh helps save the day and all is forgiven.

The ingredients of a successful historical epic are lead actors and actresses convincing in their characters, highly literate scripts (which is why "The Gladiator" will never be in the same league as "The Fall of the Roman Empire," the movie it stole from), sets, costumes and make-up. Cate Blanchett is just as convincing as before, particularly when she shouts down the Spanish Ambassador. As England's determined leader facing an invader from the continent, Blanchett's Elizabeth is every bit the equal to, say, Winston Churchill.

The same creative team delivers the same quality product: director Shekhar Kapur, who keeps the action moving; writer Michael Hirst, who delivers scenes of poetic elegance (such as Raleigh describing to Elizabeth the joys of the seafaring life); and cinematographer Remi Adefarasin. Adefarasin won an Oscar the first time around, and there's no reason why he shouldn't again.

Why did we pick this movie?

Because Cate Blanchett gives yet another Oscar-worthy performance in the title role. And because the movie shows us that history will continue to repeat itself, as long as religious fanaticism and dreams of empire hold sway.
Opens in theaters everywhere October 12.

Want more? See which other movies we recommend.