Mary, Queen of Scots (1971)

During the sixteenth century, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots engages in over two decades of religious and political conflict with her cousin, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England, amidst political intrigue in her native land.

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, named Queen of Scotland when she was six days old, is the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. Her cousin Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England, and her arch adversary, has her imprisoned at age twenty-three. Nineteen years later, Mary is executed, removing the last threat to Elizabeth's throne. The two Queens' contrasting personalities make a dramatic counterpoint to history.

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Plot Keywords:

female ruler | character name as title | queen elizabeth i | 1580s | birth | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gone with the Wind (1939) producer David O. Selznick owned the rights for many years. Veteran director Alexander Mackendrick had been trying to set it up for many years. In April 1969, he was finally set to go, with Mia Farrow starring, a James Kennaway script, and sets built at Pinewood, when Universal, burdened by heavy losses, cancelled all of its European productions.

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Goofs

Mary is seen enjoying a late-morning cup of hot chocolate in bed (and even requesting it when she is a prisoner) despite this not being a popular drink in the British Isles until well into the 18th century.

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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

Version of Pulitzer Prize Playhouse: Mary of Scotland (1951)

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Soundtracks

Vivre et Mourir
(uncredited)
Music by John Barry
Sung by Vanessa Redgrave

User Reviews

Knockout performances for the ladies

The story of Scotland's last Queen has been told in many versions throughout the history of cinema, and it might be thought that this one would not be that different. This is true: the major characters remain Mary herself (played by Vanessa Redgrave), and Elizabeth I of England (played by Glenda Jackson). The story progresses through her time as Queen to the sickly Francois of France, to her return to a Scotland dominated by Protestantism and regented by her brother Jamie (played by Patrick McGoohan), through her unfortunate marriage to the weak and selfish fop Lord Darnley (Timothy Dalton) and her eventual deposition following marriage to Lord Bothwell (played with charm by Nigel Davenport).

The script is a little clunky in places, and departs from the true historical record considerably in the name of drama: it is a pity that Darnley in particular is presented as rather one-note for the bulk of the time (although portrayed very well within the limitations of the script). However, Redgrave and Jackson are splendid, while Ian Holm gives a short but affecting portrayal of the doomed minstrel Rizzio.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1972 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mary, Queen of Scots

Filming Locations:

Northumberland National Park, Northumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,325,818

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Hal Wallis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1