Directed by:
Charles JarrottCinematography:
Christopher ChallisComposer:
John BarryCast:
Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan, Timothy Dalton, Nigel Davenport, Trevor Howard, Daniel Massey, Ian Holm, Andrew Keir, Richard Denning (more)Plots(1)
The historical rivalry between two of Britain’s most fascinating monarchs is brought brilliantly to life in this thrilling period drama. When the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots (Vanessa Redgrave) returns to her homeland to claim her throne, the court of her cousin, the Protestant Elizabeth I (Glenda Jackson) in neighbouring England, is thrown into turmoil, as the question of succession becomes an ever-pressing concern to the ‘Virgin Queen’. Political machinations and intrigue abound as the competing camps jostle for dominance, with the threat of the executioner's axe looming large. Stunning performances by Oscar-winners Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson are supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Trevor Howard, Ian Holm and Timothy Dalton, and an Oscar-nominated score by John Barry. (British Film Institute (BFI))
(more)Cast
Vanessa Redgrave
UK
Best movies:
Atonement (2007)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Blow-Up (1966)
Glenda Jackson
UK
Best movies:
This Sporting Life (1963)
Marat/Sade (1967)
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
Patrick McGoohan
USA
Best movies:
Braveheart (1995)
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
The Dam Busters (1955)
Timothy Dalton
UK
Best movies:
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Jane Eyre (1983) (series)
The Lion in Winter (1968)
Nigel Davenport
UK
Best movies:
The Last Valley (1971)
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Sands of the Kalahari (1965)
Trevor Howard
UK
Best movies:
Producers' Showcase (1954) (series)
Gandhi (1982)
Brief Encounter (1945)
Daniel Massey
UK
Best movies:
In the Name of the Father (1993)
The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965)
The Cat and the Canary (1978)
Ian Holm
UK
Best movies:
Andrew Keir
UK
Best movies:
Cleopatra (1963)
Marco Polo (1982) (series)
A Night to Remember (1958)
Richard Denning
USA
Best movies:
Union Pacific (1939)
North West Mounted Police (1940)
An Affair to Remember (1957)
Vernon Dobtcheff
France
Best movies:
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
If Tomorrow Comes (1986) (series)
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
Maria Aitken
Ireland
Best movies:
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Jinnah (1998)
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
Jeremy Bulloch
UK
Best movies:
Robert James
UK
Best movies:
Jane Eyre (1983) (series)
Masters of Venus (1962)
A Night to Remember (1958)
Frances White
UK
Best movies:
Press for Time (1966)
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
The Pumpkin Eater (1964)
Richard Warner
UK
Best movies:
Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972)
The Square Peg (1958)
Maurice (1987)
Brian Coburn
UK
Best movies:
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Love and Death (1975)
The Exchange Student (1967)
Raf De La Torre
France
Best movies:
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
The Golden Coach (1952)
Bruce Purchase
New Zealand
Best movies:
Othello (1965)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1979) (TV movie)
Lionheart (1987)
Beth Harris
UK
Best movies:
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)