Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
Crwthod
A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
TheLittleSongbird
I love period films, I love late legendary John Barry's music and I like Glenda Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave and Patrick McGoohan a lot. Mary, Queen of Scots was a truly wonderful film, true some of the history is suspect but I was past caring because everything else was done so brilliantly. First and foremost, the film does look gorgeous, the costumes are elegant with many touches of authenticity, the cinematography is crisp and the scenery is lush. The script is literate, thoughtful and poignant, the direction efficient and the story well paced and compelling. The acting is a marvel, Vanessa Redgrave is a very convincing and regal Mary, and Patrick McGoohan an excellent James, but Glenda Jackson who embodies Elizabeth is a revelation. The real heart of the film comes from John Barry's score, which for me is not only his best but also one of his most beautiful and moving. All in all, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Dan1863Sickles
Everyone loves the conflict between the cold, controlling, successful Elizabeth of England, and her unlucky but much-loved rival, the warm and passionate Mary Queen of Scots. This lush and well-photographed movie hits all the right notes yet only skims the surface.Vanessa Redgrave makes a lovely Mary and Glenda Jackson a fiery Elizabeth, yet neither actress really taps into the deeper contrast between the two queens. To put it another way, for a woman who threw everything away for love, Redgrave's Mary seems frightfully cool and correct. And for an icy woman who got off mostly on politics and power, Jackson's Elizabeth seems much too hot-tempered and impulsive.Only a handful of minor scenes really catch the contrast. Early in the film, we see flame-haired Elizabeth in a plain black dress, rising early in the morning to scan household expenses with an eagle eye. A bit later, we see her rival Mary meet the day in different fashion, waking up in splendor to a tray served in bed. Even the way Vanessa Redgrave hugs the pillow with both arms is a sly, knowing comment on Mary Queen of Scots and her French love of luxury and comfort.Later in the film, when Mary is Elizabeth's prisoner, it's noticeable that Elizabeth comes to visit her in secret, and literally catches Mary dozing, this time with armed guards standing just outside her chamber. The curt way Elizabeth nods to the two guardsmen makes it clear who is really keeping Mary locked up like a prisoner. Yet when Elizabeth enters her rival's chamber, just in time to see Mary turning over and stretching in sheer comfort, it's really interesting how Mary herself still seems to think of herself as queen. She questions Elizabeth boldly, ("what is the meaning of this, sister?") yet she accepts it when Elizabeth sits down informally on the side of her bed. And when the usual breakfast tray is brought in Mary begins eating and drinking in her usual dainty fashion. Plainly she's already accepting her status as a pampered prisoner of the more assertive queen.These scenes are convincing and fully absorbing, yet the historical scenes just don't catch Mary making mistakes and Elizabeth being prudent and wise. Instead both of them just yell a lot and make speeches, with confused looking men in funny costumes sort of saying, "well, yes, Your Majesty. You're in charge. Of course."
gpeevers
While this is not great movie, it is still an enjoyable one, especially if you have an interest in historical dramas. Despite its title the film is not just the story of Mary Queen of Scots (Vanessa Redgrave) but is also the story of her cousin Queen Elizabeth (Glenda Jackson).The film features a couple of great performances from Redgrave and Jackson who are both Oscar winning actresses. The picture has some good supporting performances from veterans such as; Patrick McGoohan, Trevor Howard, Nigel Davenport as well as such relative newcomers as Ian Holm and Timothy Dalton.In addition to the fine performances I've already mentioned the film also looks very good and features some very nice locations. The film also boasts a very good score from composer John Barry, who won a number of Oscars for his work and his perhaps best known for his numerous Bond scores.Despite these strengths though the film only rates 3 stars for me. Although I can find no glaring faults, I believe my problems lie mostly with the story structure and the inability of the film to build either sufficient emotion or tension. While the inter-cutting of the two stories seems interesting perhaps it was a mistake to structure the story in such a way. Further the secondary characters are perhaps to numerous as many disappear rather quickly without sufficient resolution.As iconic as Cate Blanchett has become of late in her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth, at one time Glenda Jackson virtually owned the role with both this film and an Emmy winning performance in Elizabeth R.
JasparLamarCrabb
Surely it's not historically accurate, but who cares? It's great fun. In fact it has the slyness & humor that THE LION IN WINTER buried beneath its pretensions. Vanessa Redgrave is excellent as Mary, the Scottish queen who married the King of France only to be drummed out his country by his rotten family...unwelcome in England, she returns to Scotland intent on remaining on the throne. A lot of people around her (as well as England's Queen Elizabeth) have other ideas. There are scoundrels everywhere and the movie plays like a game of chess with real people! Mary faces one trial or tribulation after another, dealing with her turncoat brother and bisexual (second) husband as well as the local holy men. Redgrave's performance is matched by the great cast: Patrick McGoohan, Timothy Dalton, and Ian Holm (who steals his scenes as the "little Italian"). Glenda Jackson plays Queen Elizabeth and she's dynamite. Yes, the two Queens have a couple of confrontations and yes, historical purists will argue that they'd never actually met, but it doesn't matter...it's an extremely well made, well-written and even suspenseful film. This is the second film (after ISADORA) that helped to show off Redgrave's immense talent and versatility.
