Mrs Brown (1997)

When Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert dies, she finds solace in her trusted servant, Mr. John Brown, but their relationship also brings scandal and turmoil.

Director:

John Madden

Writer:

Jeremy Brock

Stars:

Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judi Dench	...	Queen Victoria
Billy Connolly	...	John Brown
Geoffrey Palmer	...	Henry Ponsonby
Antony Sher	...	Disraeli
Gerard Butler	...	Archie Brown
Richard Pasco	...	Doctor Jenner
David Westhead	...	Bertie, Prince of Wales
Bridget McConnell	...	Lady Ely
Georgie Glen	...	Lady Churchill
Catherine O'Donnell	...	Lady-in-Waiting
Sara Stewart	...	Princess Alexandra
Finty Williams	...	Princess Helena
Claire Nicolson	...	Princess Louise
Hattie Ladbury	...	Princess Alice
Oliver Kent	...	Prince Alfred

Storyline

Queen Victoria (Dame Judi Dench) is deeply depressed after the death of her husband, disappearing from public. Her servant Mr. John Brown (Sir Billy Connolly), who adores her, through caress and admiration brings her back to life, but that relationship creates scandalous situation and is likely to lead to monarchy crisis.

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Plot Keywords:

servant | skinny dipping | male nudity | male frontal nudity | queen victoria character | 

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Taglines:

Queen Victoria, the world's most powerful woman. John Brown, a simple Scottish Highlander. Their extraordinary friendship transformed an empire.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for a beating, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site PBS [United States]

Country:

UK Ireland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mrs Brown

Filming Locations:

Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,268, 20 July 1997

Gross USA:

$9,229,808

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,229,808

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Scotland, Ecosse Films, Irish Screen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though she was in her early sixties, Judi Dench cites this as the movie that really launched her career.

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Goofs

Disraeli speaks from notes in Parliament, and again at the end of the film. In real life, Disraeli delivered all of his speeches, including those several hours long or involving complicated statistics, from memory. He warned younger politicians against using notes as a crutch.

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Quotes

[first lines]
John Brown: God save the Queen!
[shoots into the dark]

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Connections

Featured in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Academy of Robots' Choice Awards Special (1998)

User Reviews

A peek inside the private life of Queen Victoria

It may be an unwritten rule, but it is clearly understood in upper crust societies that sadness is stoic, while happiness is petty. Mrs. Brown peers into the private life of one of history's most fascinating people, at her most private of times. Following the death of her husband, Queen Victoria goes into a long period of mourning, taking her empire with her. Struggling to hang onto her dearly departed she latches onto his favorite employee, a stable master.

Under the stern eye of her advisors and children, Victoria forms a friendship with the man that transcends anything considered respectable.

Judi Dench plays Queen Victoria to perfection. Even in her most tender moments, she never loses her dignity, nor her presence. Billy Connelly is John Brown, her loyal and trustworthy friend, servant and companion.

The film is beautifully shot, capturing the bleakness that would have been Queen Victoria's life at that time. The writing is first rate, blending a small story with epic events, and detailing the picture with occasional glimpses into the day to day life of the time.

Most impressive about this movie is that it resists the temptation to grasp on to Hollywood cliches. John Brown snubs his nose at the establishment, however he knows his limits. Victoria lets loose, but never at the cost of her station.