Mrs Brown (1997)

When Queen Victoria's husband dies, she finds solace in her trusted servant, Mr. 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 is deeply depressed after the death of her husband, disappearing from public. Her servant Brown, 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 film that really launched her film career.

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Goofs

Benjamin Disraeli is shown as British Prime Minister in 1866. Disraeli became Prime Minister February 27, 1868.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Version of Victoria the Great (1937)

User Reviews

Excellent, but not a romance

This is a phenomenal movie, but I am rather peeved at the way it has been marketed. When I rented the movie, the blurb on the box luridly touted the "forbidden passion between a rugged Scotsman and the most powerful woman in the world." Other marketing of the film is similar. That's not what the movie is about at all!! It is a very sad commentary on our society if a moving drama about terrible grief being assuaged through loyal friendship cannot be accepted for what it is. Is the American public really that shallow? I don't know whether to blame movie execs for dumbing down the presentation of their product to titillate the lowest common denominator, or the American public for maybe actually being that way.

Diatribes aside, Dench and Connolly are phenomenal. Victoria and Brown are complex characters with conflicting emotions, and one almost feels able to look upon their souls in this portrayal. Antony Sher was delightful as the orator/politician Benjamin Disraeli, at the same time both wise and gently pompous. The makeup job was so good that I actually recognized him as Disraeli before his name was mentioned.

If you are disappointed because this is not a puerile romance, shame on you. These are real people with real emotions. This moving story of grief and friendship is definitely one of the best of the year.