British history is a particular passion of mine, and i watched this film when it was released in theatres way back when. The gorgeous Vanessa Redgrave, and the incomparable Glenda Jackson! Who could resist viewing a film with these two actors? i felt compelled to write this very late review because i have an opinion about history recording that Mary and Elizabeth never met. Elizabeth had access and motive to meet secretly with her cousin, who's parents gave her father Henry fits. She could also control royal scribes. i personally don't believe that the two never met. And if they had, o what a scene it must have been. This film is remarkable in that. The movie was rather harsh with Elizabeth; she had passion plenty, but she put her crown and her head first. Looking at how close she came to death herself, and how improbable her accession to the throne was, i don't blame her. Technically, she was illegitimate, and Mary was a legitimate descendant of Henry VII. But Elizabeth had the sense to surround herself with loyal, political geniuses, as she herself was. Mary did not. She most likely knew about the plan to murder her husband, her cousin who shared the same grandmother.That might explain her son James and his short of divine character and physique. But he did become king, and he did unite Scotland and England in his way, despite centuries of feuding. So in spite of herself, Mary lost her head but was victorious in the end. So far, i think this is the best Mary of Scots film to date. Even after all these years, the music from this film still moves me...ever notice that the music from films about Elizabeth and Mary are usually beautiful?..and Nigel Davenport! I'm staying tuned for the hopeful 2008 release with Scarlett Johansson. It's interesting to speculate about whom they enlist as the director...
Review of Mary, Queen of Scots
