I love historical dramas but, alias, this was a disappointment. I give it '6' stars because the high-level historical events were pretty accurate, otherwise it would have got maybe '4'. However when you get down to the details things got banal, bordering on the inane.
Lots of sexs panders to popular tastes, no doubt, but portraying a Elizabeth I as a promiscuous slut totally ignores the historical facts. Though she might have hd one liason, that with Robert Dudley, there is no proof or even evidence of any others. The portrayal of Mary Stuart isn't much better, e.g. a love affair with the Earl of Boswell is possible but it's just as likely he raped her.
The costumes are gorgeous but boar only a vague likeness to historic reality -- necklines just didn't plunge that far. Likewise the many for the building interiors were unlike real Elizabethan architecture.
Acting and directing were mediocre at best. The best performance I'd say was from Rebecca Scott as Elizabeth I; Olivia Chenery as Mary Stuart is 2nd rate.
Finally in my personal opinion Elizabeth might actually have been a virgin, bit Mary certainly was not a martyr, she was the victim of her own ineptitude as a ruler.
9 Reviews
Good costumer drama that takes a brilliant look at the turbulent life of two famous Queens : Elizabeth Tudor and Mary Stuart
ma-cortes27 January 2017
The story of two stubborn women , fighting each other in a man's world : Elizabeth I and Mary , Queen of Scots . This is a sweeping chronicle of 16th-century English Queens from their splendor years . She's the Protestant Elizabeth (Rebecca Scott) , a brilliant stateswoman who managed to restore England to power and glory amidst public and private confusion . Mary Queen of Scots (Olivia Chenery) and her cousin Elizabeth were rivals for power in Tudor England . The heathen Protestant Elizabeth dreads the prospect of the Catholic Mary about her ascending the English throne , leading to intrigue and divisiveness within the court . It also recreates ambition , turmoil and struggle for power by Robert Dudley (Harry Jarvis) , Earl of Leicester . As Elizabeth dealing with Protestant religion , intrigues with Spain and France and the vexing question of a political marriage . Elizabeth chose her advisers with consummate care , the first and best was William Cecil , he stayed in office for forty years , along with Francis Walsingham . Mary Stuart was imprisoned by the powerful Elizabeth , who rightly feared Catholic plots to place Mary on the throne . Mary is a tragic , romantic heroine that contends with various treacheries . Mary (1516-1558) inherited the throne of Scotland from Jacob V . She was next in line to the English kingdom , and married Francisco II , king of France , but he died early . Having been in France for thirteen years , Mary returned Scotland , and arrived from France with some misgivings . Then , Mary disembarks in Leith and goes to a castle near Edimburg , along with his lover David Rizzio (Carlos Camino) , court musician and confidant . There , she's received by his brother , the Earl James Stuart , (Matt McClure) . Later on , Queen Mary married a foppish aristocrat named Lord Darnley (Harry Jarvis) . Mary is helped by the Earl James Bothwell (James Lee Taylor) , her main supporter in her battle for power . Then , Rizzio was reputed to be the father of Mary's son , the future James I of England . Darnley , with some underlings , murdered Rizzio in Mary's presence . But Darnley is killed by an explosion in his refuge , outskirts Edimburg , and the God-fearing Calvinists led by John Knox accused to Bothwell as regicide . John Knox and the rebels Lords besiege Holyrood and the Borthwell's stronghold , Dumbar castle . The Calvinists forced her abdication , Mary escapes and asks for protection to Queen Elizabeth I , but Mary is double-crossed and taken imprisoned in the Tower of London . The film especially describes relations between Spain ruled by Philip II (Adrián Castiñeiras) , England and Scotland at the breaking point . This well-known monarch Felipe II , the Prudent King , governed in domains where the sun never set . He waged war with the Spanish armada commanded by Duke of Medina Sidonia against the British Navy commanded by Duke of Effiham and Raleigh and it lasted ten days , during July 1588 . At the end of the series , Mary confronts her English accusers at court in a stylized trial . Finally , Mary was guilty of plots complicity and was condemned , as the series reflects splendidly when Mary goes to beheading block with all due pomp and circumstance .
This is a good costume-designing , a Spanish/British historic-drama and Olivia Chenery and Rebecca Scott are well cast in the title roles . They are splendidly recreated turmoil , loves , and fight power of its time , including the troublesome days and machinations surrounding . Although supposedly Mary and Elizabeth never met face to face , the movie have them doing so and the screen crackle when both have a reunion that goes wrong , because they are strong rivals for power in Tudor dynasty . This costumer/melodrama recreates faithfully the historical facts , as several centuries separate us from the events are to narrate , it is really important to highlight the huge significance that these Kingdoms had back then , as the shadows still hide from the public those great historic moments , and the significance of such deeds . The picture contributes to historical , artistic and cultural memory of an era , with a look back to the past , offering us an interesting adaptation based on important facts . It's magnificent and correctly captured by marvelous sets , splendid production design and glamorous gowns . This elaborate costumer drama packs outstanding performances from a great , but unknown cast , as Rebecca Scott playing an impulsive , arrogant queen as well as Olivia Chenery as obstinate Mary Stuart . Besides , a top-notch support cast giving strong acting , as Crispin Redman as Lord William Cecyl , Ruben Jones as Sir Francis Walsingham , Sean Browne as Duke of Norfolk , Nick Cornwall as John Dee and Steve Howard as Pope Pius V who convoked the council of Trent , among them . The fine and large cast , more British than Spanish , does quite well in historic setting .
This interesting historical drama formed by 6 episodes contains a wonderful cinematography that adds color to the atmosphere by Javier Salmones who photographed the previous successes as "The Feast of the Goat" , ¨Butterfly's tongue¨ , ¨Los Borgia¨ and ¨Diary of a nymphomaniac¨ . Being photographed on location from various countries as England , France , Italy , Netherlands and Alcalá University , Alcalá , Spain . Evocative and imaginative musical score fitting to the past times by Carlos Martin . The motion picture was lavishly produced by José Luis Moreno and compellingly directed by Manuel Carballo who formerly made hits as ¨The returned¨ , "The Last of the Just" , ¨13 Fears ¨ and "The Possession of Emma Evans" or ¨Exorcismus¨ .
This is a good costume-designing , a Spanish/British historic-drama and Olivia Chenery and Rebecca Scott are well cast in the title roles . They are splendidly recreated turmoil , loves , and fight power of its time , including the troublesome days and machinations surrounding . Although supposedly Mary and Elizabeth never met face to face , the movie have them doing so and the screen crackle when both have a reunion that goes wrong , because they are strong rivals for power in Tudor dynasty . This costumer/melodrama recreates faithfully the historical facts , as several centuries separate us from the events are to narrate , it is really important to highlight the huge significance that these Kingdoms had back then , as the shadows still hide from the public those great historic moments , and the significance of such deeds . The picture contributes to historical , artistic and cultural memory of an era , with a look back to the past , offering us an interesting adaptation based on important facts . It's magnificent and correctly captured by marvelous sets , splendid production design and glamorous gowns . This elaborate costumer drama packs outstanding performances from a great , but unknown cast , as Rebecca Scott playing an impulsive , arrogant queen as well as Olivia Chenery as obstinate Mary Stuart . Besides , a top-notch support cast giving strong acting , as Crispin Redman as Lord William Cecyl , Ruben Jones as Sir Francis Walsingham , Sean Browne as Duke of Norfolk , Nick Cornwall as John Dee and Steve Howard as Pope Pius V who convoked the council of Trent , among them . The fine and large cast , more British than Spanish , does quite well in historic setting .
This interesting historical drama formed by 6 episodes contains a wonderful cinematography that adds color to the atmosphere by Javier Salmones who photographed the previous successes as "The Feast of the Goat" , ¨Butterfly's tongue¨ , ¨Los Borgia¨ and ¨Diary of a nymphomaniac¨ . Being photographed on location from various countries as England , France , Italy , Netherlands and Alcalá University , Alcalá , Spain . Evocative and imaginative musical score fitting to the past times by Carlos Martin . The motion picture was lavishly produced by José Luis Moreno and compellingly directed by Manuel Carballo who formerly made hits as ¨The returned¨ , "The Last of the Just" , ¨13 Fears ¨ and "The Possession of Emma Evans" or ¨Exorcismus¨ .
Unauthentic
dianatc1 August 2018
Beautiful production
meyer-wil4 February 2018
The production is beautiful, but as to the story, it is more drama than history. It seems by now obligatory to include same-sex intrigues which are not supported by history. In this case, not only is it false and a distraction from the historic aspects, but it also confuses the story line very badly.
Superb
cainfdelon29 April 2022
Most excellent historical drama of the subject matter I have ever seen. The acting is par excellence. The nuances of each character are riveting. The actors are physically beautiful to behold. The settings are realistic. The costumes are so real I can smell the stench of the unbathed.
God save the Queens!
meghan-mizell7 February 2018
I am totally obsessed with these two women so I won't bore you with the historical issues because after all a good story can always get better. My issues with this production are greatly with the seamstress and the acting director. Such amazing fabrics, such horrible fitting! Everyone's dresses looked they were playing dress up in their mothers clothing. The corsets were well not there and the dresses looked like they were sewn by the lady who made my high school play's costumes (not that she isn't great but Hollywood isn't knocking down her door). The tops were loose and ill fitting right up to the cuts on the collars! Now mind you I can't sew my way out of a paper bag so I am in no way a costumer which is why this irritates me even more. I had a hard time watching because I wanted to just reach in and adjust a top here or a collar there. I am however a history enthusiast and well that is a bit of an issue with these costumes as well. I also have take issue with the acting in this. Such great actresses but all the interactions seem forced and unnatural and the dialogue well again much like my high school play productions. I felt like I was watching a low budget series that spent all their money on fabric and then went "Oh hell we have to pay costumers and directors" and just let the props boy do both! I give 2 stars because well...I do love me some Queens!!!!!!
Disappointing
infinitepurelight15 February 2020
I really wanted to love this but I cannot bring myself to keep watching it. The customs are poorly made, they look like costumes from high school plays. The acting is also terrible! Unfortunately, I can't take this show seriously.
Boring and not even close to historically accurate
im_a_witch17 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So lets talk about the costumes.
Episode 1 Mary's white dress. There is a moment as she steps off the boat that her shirt rides up and shows skin as well as the waist of her skirt. Historically speaking the shirt would have been sewn down to the gown to prevent that
Queen Elizabeth's Costumes the carnival episode What in the fresh heck was she wearing. It was a drop waist skin tight Mermaid dress with blue feathers all over it..I mean really Were they trying to be like reign?
On to one of my pet peeves. Mary's Wedding to Lord Darnley.
She Married him in 1565
Why did they choose Scotland the Brave on bagpipes as the wedding song It was written in the 1890's
Boring remake of Girls5Eva
Sonic-2828 October 2021
This the EXACT same show as Girls5Eva I men the same script near verbatim - down to the big lesbian one, the housewife one, the overacheiver hot one, the manager. The only difference is Queens spent way more money and took out all the fun stuff. It looks good, clearly high budget. But it is somehow boring. They really just blatently ripped off Girls5Eva and threw more money at it and turned it into a drama in the hopes nobody would notice... which wouldnt be a bad thing if the show wasnt so boring.
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