Mary Queen of Scots

A correct adaptation of the novel by Stefan Zweig. Decent performances, beautiful costumes, the wise choice to not transform the story in a melodrama. And a sketch about power and illusions. It is easy to see it as a gray movie - familiar scenes, reasonable reflection of events, facts of a young woman front to huge challenges. But the film has a special virtue - Camille Rutheford . Who knows use her presence for sustain, in nice manner, the plot. And, sure, Mehdi Dehbi as a sort of spice. A film about a known character. Far to be a revelation, convincing or spectacular ,it could represent a decent work.

I really really wanted to like this, but the version I watched had NO subtitles so the first 20 minutes were a complete wash for me not knowing at all what the hell was even being said because the dialogue was completely in French... no comprehensible dialogue, equals no plot, equals no grabbing the viewer, and that needs to happen in the first minutes to keep them. The next bit was hit and miss, so still couldn't get into it. I wanted to, I really really did. I'm a big fan of Aneurin Barnard (since his portrayal of Richard III in The White Queen) but by the time he appeared the whole thing was already lost for me. Sorry! I tried!

I quite liked this version of Mary Queen of Scots, the setting, costumes, and dialogues were consistent during the whole film; however, the soundtrack is something I was a little bit taken aback especially by a dancing scene in which the background music was a gigue from Marin Marais' Suite in D minor; a baroque composer who lived 100 years later.

An historically honest film, if a painfully dull one. It suffers from the nearly completely lackluster casting. The one bright spot is Sean Biggerstaff as Bothwell, a much better actor than his CV might suggest, which almost makes it worse. The film likely would have been better received had the entire cast suffered from the same quality of dullness, but Biggerstaff is so natural and unaffected that everyone around him appears even more contrived and wooden. He's a diamond against cheap black crepe, easily and unintentionally outshining everyone in any scene he's in, though Edward Hogg comes closest to giving him a run for his money.

His French is atrocious, though.

Worth seeing if you've two hours to kill, low expectations, and/or want to see a clear juxtaposition of masterful acting against mediocre acting.

Mary, Queen of Scots, she lived a full life and more as this historical film shows. The actress, who played Mary, Camille Rutherford, is a revelation. I wish to see her in more films. I felt the film was quite well-done and I am surprised it has not been seen, reviewed or commented on by more film buffs. Definitely worth it for those of you who enjoy period films based on historical figures and past events. Costumes, screenplay and direction was exceptional. The sound track was a bit off but I suppose it was more in tune with the impending doom that was to come to Mary. It isn't melodramatic at all. Very to the point, and I liked the fact that it took you in to her thoughts and mind and not be merely an observer to her life. Well done. 7/10.