Mary, Queen of Scots (1971)

Mary Stuart, who was named Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old, is the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. She is imprisoned at he age of 23 by her cousin Elizabeth Tudor, ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Jarrott

Writer:

John Hale (original screenplay)

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Mary Queen of Scots
Glenda Jackson	...	Queen Elizabeth
Patrick McGoohan	...	James Stuart
Timothy Dalton	...	Henry - Lord Darnley
Nigel Davenport	...	Lord Bothwell
Trevor Howard	...	William Cecil
Daniel Massey	...	Robert Dudley
Ian Holm	...	David Riccio
Andrew Keir	...	Ruthven
Tom Fleming	...	Father Ballard
Katherine Kath	...	Catherine De Medici
Beth Harris	...	Mary Seton
Frances White	...	Mary Fleming
Bruce Purchase	...	Morton
Brian Coburn	...	Huntly

Storyline

Mary Stuart, who was named Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old, is the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. She is imprisoned at he age of 23 by her cousin Elizabeth Tudor, the English Queen and her arch adversary. Nineteen years later the life of Mary is to be ended on the scaffold and with her execution the last threat to Elizabeth's throne has been removed. The two Queens with their contrasting personalities make a dramatic counterpoint to history.

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Plot Keywords:

queen | scotland | execution | catholic | 16th century | 

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Taglines:

ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF ENGLAND, who reigned with the power of a man.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1972 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

María, reina de Escocia

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (world premiere) Mono (35 mm prints) 4-Track Stereo (some 35 mm prints) Stereo (DVD Release)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jane Fonda, Mia Farrow and Sophia Loren were the first choices to play Mary. Vanessa Redgrave was the fourth choice. Maggie Smith was in talks but plans fell through.

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Goofs

James I of England (also known as James VI of Scotland) was born in Edinburgh Castle, not the Earl of Bothwell's estate. Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Francis - King of France: [screams] La Vierge!
Mary, Queen of Scots: What is it? What is it?
Francis - King of France: My head! My head!
Mary, Queen of Scots: Be still, be still, put your head down.
Francis - King of France: Please, help me.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Prince of Space (1997)

User Reviews

What a magnificent film!

Even though Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I, Queen of England never met, this is a brilliant film. Vanessa Redgrave is perfect in the role of Mary. She is such a wonderful actress. She plays the Scottish Queen in all her arrogance and deviousness. She looks and sounds magnificent throughout. Glenda Jackson is magnificent as Elizabeth I. She is so powerful and such a clever actress. What a great loss it is that she became a politician. Her great scene with Redgrave must be one of the classics of acting between two great actresses. Timothy Dalton is great as the devious and weak fop Lord Darnley and Nigel Davenport is incredible as the rugged Earl of Bothwell. The casting gets better with Trevor Howard as William Cecil, Ian Holm as David Rizzio and Patrick McGoohan as the half-brother James Stuart. Katherine Kath is suitably odious as Queen Catherine de Medici and Vernon Dobtcheff is highly suitable as the Duke of Guise, Mary's manipulative Uncle. Robert Fox is absolutely right as John Knox. The script is very clever, the scenery magnificent and the costumes incredible.