First, a disclaimer. I really really wanted to like this film.

It's a great period in history. Drake, Raleigh, Walsingham, Cecil, Elizabeth. Not only that, but Drake and Raleigh are good West Country boys. They pick a great time for the story - the Spanish Armada. There's a brilliant film to be made about this period.

But it's rubbish. Woeful. Samantha Morton is rubbish. The script is rubbish. Clive Owen and Cate Blanchett give up half way through. Clive Owen even has a go at a West Country accent, I think, but gives up. Every Spaniard is a comedy foreigner - all heavy accented and funny walks. It's basically a soap opera.

You don't even need to think about the historically inaccurate bits to get annoyed about it.

Shame, I'd have liked to have liked it too, but didn't bother after Mr Ross panned it. Not that I base my life decisions on what Jonathan says, but he's usually pretty accurate when dissing a film (perhaps not so when praising).