在这部江山美人剧情片中,迈克尔·柯尔蒂这部古典剧情片讲述的是女皇伊丽莎白一世与一个名叫罗伯特·德瓦瑞克斯的情爱故事，罗伯特·德瓦瑞克斯是一个即将成为英格兰国王的人，埃斯克斯爵士。作为各类战争的胜利者，罗伯特·德瓦瑞克斯在卡迪兹打败西班牙军队之后，回到了英国。伊丽莎白虽然已经人到中年，但对这个年轻的战士具有无穷的吸引力，她自己虽然也很喜欢这个年轻人，但她却害怕他的影响和名声。于是，她交给他一个新的任务：到爱尔兰进行一场艰难的战役。当罗伯特·德瓦瑞克斯和他的军队失败而归时，他要求与伊丽莎白共享王位，并且与他结婚。伊丽莎白感到这个婚姻将给英国带来灾难，于是想出一个无情的计划……
This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England, Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Ever the victor on the battlefield, Devereux returns to London after defeating Spanish forces at Cadiz. Middle-aged Elizabeth, so attracted to the younger Devereux but fearful of his influence and popularity, sends him on a new mission: a doomed campaign to Ireland. When he and his troops return in defeat, Devereux demands to share the throne with the heir-less queen, and Elizabeth, at first, intends to marry. Ultimately sensing the marriage would prove disastrous for England, Elizabeth sets in motion a merciless plan to protect her people and preserve her throne.
