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:

mary queen of scots character | queen elizabeth i character | robert dudley earl of leicester character | female ruler | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, who ruled with the heart of a woman.

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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 USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1972 (UK)

Also Known As:

Maria Stuart, Königin von Schottland

Filming Locations:

Northumberland National Park, Northumberland, England, UK

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Dalton played another married couple, Dame Agatha Christie and Colonel Archibald Christie, in Agatha (1979). Although they never married in real-life, they were in a relationship from 1971 to 1986.

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Goofs

The meeting between Queen Elizabeth I of England and Queen Mary I of Scotland in the borderlands has no basis in any factual account of these rulers. However, it is stated in the film that the meeting is secret, and never mentioned even to Elizabeth's closest advisers.

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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 Mary of Scotland (1936)

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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.