Of the estimated 1,300 films in every genre made during the Third Reich only ten per cent could be classed as overtly propogandist, some of them notoriously so. However, the very few that come under the heading of 'Anti-English' are a comparatively harmless bunch that never seemed to do well commercially and had a minimal impact on the consciousness of German cinema goers. The passage of time now enables us to judge them solely upon their artistic merits.
Coming as it does from the Tempelhof Studios this film of Carl Froelich boasts superlative art direction, production design, cinematography and score.
As a piece of history it is of course absolute tosh and the liberties taken are too numerous to mention. Despite these inaccuracies it remains a thoroughly absorbing and moving depiction of one of history's most appealing and sympathetic characters.
Willy Birgel and Axel von Ambesser are adequate as Bothwell and Darnley but it is the three leading actresses whose performances impress. Lotte Koch is mesmerising as the duplicitous and vengeful Johanna Gordon as is the wonderful Maria Koppenhoeffer as Elizabeth 1 whose ruthlessness is revealed in her line: "Anyone who allows himself to be helped by England will die!" The way her part is written also allows us to see, behind the majesty, a lonely and loveless woman. Far from being loveless is the Mary of Zara Leander. Granted, in terms of age and physique she is totally miscast in the role but she possesses star quality in spades. She combines imperiousness with vulnerability here and as a bonus, has one of the most seductive voices in the history of cinema, both speaking and singing.
There is also a splendid cameo by Erich Ponto as an itinerant actor who assumes the function of a prophet of doom. He is best known to viewers as 'Vinkle, not Winkle' in 'The Third Man.'
500 years on it is difficult to appreciate just how much Catholicism was feared in this country and how very real was the threat of a Spanish invasion. Indeed, scarcely more than a year after Mary's head was separated from her body an Armada of 130 ships appeared on the horizon. Mary did get a revenge of sorts when in 1603 her son the Catholic James V1 of Scotland became James 1 of England.
Does the film succeed as propoganda? Goebbels certainly didn't think so but it was considered contentious enough by the Allies for it to be kept off the screen until the early fifties. Best to look upon it now as a well-made and entertaining piece of historical hokum.
