Mary, Queen of Scots

I only just saw this movie for the very first time on one of my cable movie channels and have seen it several times over the past week. I love British movies and I was blown away by all the great actors and the locations and castles used for the filming. The two ladies performances are so strong and were framed by all the great male actors. Patrick McGoohan is awesome, and his steely look playing other roles has always inspired me. From his role as the Disney "Scarecrow" to the Prisoner. Just awesome. I was mesmerized by Nigel Davenport. Nigel had my attention the entire time he was on screen. Nigel, like Patrick, has an awesome look about him and how he carries himself. I will definitely buy the DVD of this movie and get my son to watch it.

I've read a lot of the other reviews of this movie and have to add my two cents here. Anybody critical of Glenda Jackson's portrayal of Elizabeth I is just plain wrong! If there is such a thing as reincarnation I suggest that Elizabeth came back as Glenda...not only were many of her lines historically accurate but Glenda has captured the conflict, the caprice, the indecisiveness, the intellect, the willpower, shrewdness and the brilliance of Elizabeth. Her portrayal of England's greatest queen is matched only by her own portrayal of the queen in "Elizabeth R." I guess that a trained shakespearean actress, like Glenda has been immersed in all things Elizabethan and reflects the time in general. Vanessa Redgrave, although a bit too old for the role of Mary in the earlier part of the movie did a good job at capturing Mary's character as well. The movie does well to illustrate the contrast between the women and why one was so successful, the other not. It takes license with history in that Elizabeth and Mary never met and Mary's captivity was almost two decades long. In my view one contrast, whether intentional or not, is that Mary is made to be a much more sympathetic character than Elizabeth--it seems to stress the womanliness of Mary and coldness of Elizabeth and it does quote the historically accurate line about her being barren, I think to reinforce this unfortunate contrast. Elizabeth was far more complex than portrayed and Mary was close to being an empty-headded ninny, at least in the political sense. The movie has beautiful scenery and some great shots. Well worth the watching.

of my favorite movies, especially for the time period! Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson are thrilling as rival queens in this movie. I felt badly for both of them, they seem to have been caught up in the intrigues of their time. I wish there were more movies like this!

It's been quite some time since I saw this movie, so have forgotten many of the details, but quite enjoyed this portrait of the clash between Mary Queen of Scots and her rival Tudor cousin, Elizabeth I. I confess to a lack of knowledge as to its historical accuracy, which may perhaps be just as well, as I read that the supposed meeting between the two queens never took place in real life. The producers presumably felt audiences would expect such an in person meeting. Frankly, however, while such films might be permitted a wee bit of dramatic license, they should definitely stick with fundamental historical truths.

The movie chronicles the struggles of Mary Stewart, who returns from France, where she had been wife to the sickly (now deceased) king Francois II, to Scotland, where her Protestant half brother, Jamie, is acting as Regent. In order to secure the Scottish throne for herself and her son (later James VI of Scotland and James I of England), she must battle the Scottish Lords, her brother Jamie, who causes rebellions against his sister, and even her second husband, Lord Darnley, who makes a bid for the throne himself. The most devastating enemy proves to be her royal English cousin, Elizabeth I, who sees Mary as a threat, especially when Mary produces (with Darnley) a son while she (Elizabeth) remains unmarried and childless.

The main asset of the movie lies in its two female leads, who portray the warm, emotional Catholic Mary and the cool, calculating Protestant Elizabeth. Vanessa Redgrave made, at least for me, a convincing enough Mary. Especially, however, I recall Glenda Jackson as an absolutely brilliant Queen Elizabeth. She IS Elizabeth, and I believe to a certain extent, it's really her movie. To this day, whenever I picture Elizabeth I, it's Glenda Jackson, who of course went on to play the Virgin Queen in the TV series, Elizabeth R.

Others in the star studded cast include Patrick McGoohan as James Stewart (Mary's brother), Timothy Dalton as Lord Darnley (Mary's weak, conniving second husband), and Nigel Davenport as Bothwell (Mary's true love and third husband). Two of Elizabeth's ministers are portrayed by Trevor Howard as Sir William Cecil, and Daniel Massey as the queen's devoted Dudley.

Beautiful Oscar nominated Tudor period costumes and scenes. I would like to see again the tale of this tragic figure, a woman who should have been content with her Scottish crown and not covetous of the English one as well. Pity modern cinema seems disinclined to delve into these British historical dramas. Personally, I would like to see more movies such as this one and the 1986 Lady Jane with Helena Bonham Carter. There's certainly no lack of historical figures that would make interesting subjects.

Vanessa Redgrave portrays an excellent Queen of Scots in this film; Mary Stuart's frivolity, passion for life, religious devotion, and emotion-stirring conscience is perfectly captured by this talented actress. Similarly, the vanity, arrogance, and evil self-assuredness of the weakling Henry Lord Darnley shone through in Timothy Dalton's words and actions. But, without desecrating the skills displayed by Dalton and Redgrave, I was riveted by the scenes in the English Court. Glenda Jackson, as Elizabeth of England, has completely captured the hearts and imaginations of the audience as the best actress to ever play the Virgin Queen, and as I watched her manipulate her Catholic enemies and rise above the snares of danger that her fellow Queen blindly stumbled into, I was amazed at her complete understanding of the role. In my opinion, Elizabeth can be no easy character to portray, but Jackson clearly demonstrates a clear knowledge of the complicated workings of this Queen's mind. Also wonderfully brought to life are the struggles for approval amongst her leading ministers, William Cecil (played by Trevor Howard) and Robert Dudley (Daniel Massey). Cecil's endless determination to lead the Queen in best interests of the nation are admirable, and Dudley's endless devotion (though sometimes portrayed as ambition and avarice) is touching. Unfortunately, the script seems to rush through the complicated and fascinating tale of the Queen of Scots' harrowing 7 years on her Scotch throne. All in all, I recommend this movie to anyone interested in Mary, or, even if your tastes run more to Elizabeth than her impulsive cousin, I believe you will be more than satisfied.