Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I love a historical film...hmm...because after watching the movie, you can research online or in a book and compare differences between the film and what really happen back then.This film is about one of my favorite royal women Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, who claimed the Scottish crown from her mother upon her death. Of course is was after her husband, the King of France had died of an ear infection that spread to his brain, because there wasn't a cure back then...or much of anything. But then she runs up against religious prejudice, both from the Protestant Elizabeth (who had met anti-Protestant bias before she took the throne) and from Mary's Protestant half-brother James Stuart. Elizabeth, whose own reign is shaky (given a strong Catholic presence in her country), is nervous about her Catholic cousin -- and made more so by Mary's seeming inability to appreciate the political niceties of the period.In the film, the ever-luminous Vanessa Redgrave (Camelot) takes on the role as Mary, and the sharp-edged Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth, who knew a thing or two about palace intrigue. And Vanessa received an Oscar nomination for her performance. So overall, I would say about this film is that I love it from beginning to end, and I love the original soundtrack in the film, and as I say many times: I love a film with a good soundtrack.

I noticed the year this film was made, 1971, and besides the two great lead actresses, I think I was more interested in seeing a young future James Bond, well, and the critics give it four out of five stars. Basically this film is a battle of ruler-ship of both England and Scotland, and the fight is between Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Vanessa Redgrave) and Queen Elizabeth I (Golden Globe nominated Glenda Jackson). Both Queens have plans to remove each other from their thrones, or better, have each other eliminated. In the end, Mary is the loser after being sentenced to death, and Elizabeth ruled for years after. Even though I do not understand everything going on, there is a lot of discussion with many male characters involved in whatever way to one of the two Queens, including James Stuart (Scanners' Patrick McGoohan), Lord Henry Darnley (young - and blonde? - Timothy Dalton), Lord Bothwell (Nigel Davenport, Jack's father), William Cecil (Trevor Howard) and David Rizzio (Sir Ian Holm). Apparently not all the story is accurate in relation to what really happened, but who cares? Also starring Daniel Massey as Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester, Tom Fleming as Father Ballard, Jeremy Bulloch as Andrew, Beth Harris as Mary Seton, Frances White as Mary Fleming and Maria Aitken as Lady Bothwell. All actors are suited to their roles very well, especially Redgrave and Jackson, and as for young Dalton, well, an unusually double-edged character, but a good one, and the film is worth seeing. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Music for John Barry and Best Sound, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Original Score and Best Screenplay. Very good!

This colorful and exciting historical drama has several qualities that make it remarkable and particularly delighting:first,its impressive all star cast (Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Davenport, Howard, Holm as the Italian Riccio),and not only that,but the astounding performances that all these famous movie artists understood to give;a very intelligent script,with good lines and a fine development;a well-done atmosphere,interesting scenes and a fast pace that gives the movie a dynamic,no-nonsense,straightforward sense of adventure and excitement,it is history written as a thriller, with a strong sense of the picturesque history, all the characters (Bothwell,Fr. Ballard, Cecil, Davie, the Guise family,Knox,Darnley …) being enchantingly made;also,this movie looks very well,has a great look,it has some beautiful locations,and it is my favorite British historical drama.The photography is enchanting.Lord Bothwell is made with unmatchable gusto by Davenport.A movie obviously made by competent persons, with intelligence and tact and craftsmanship.Everything is tested by the intelligence.Mrs. Redgrave,Davenport,Mrs. Jackson,Howard,all make first-rate roles ;as the Queen of Scots, Mrs. Redgrave is very sexy.This violent elegant colorful fast-paced historical drama .The performances are passionate and violent,but enjoyable in the highest degree.Some of the best acting to be enjoyed in this genre of historical dramas.There are a freshness and a sensation of youth in Mary, Queen of Scots (1972).However,its main interest is Mrs. Vanessa Redgrave's sensational performance.Absolutely stunning,and delightfully humane and fresh and charming,with a height of the lyricism that is still unequaled and electrifying.Her voice was a precious instrument.Queen Mary's entry in Dunbar is extraordinary.There are also some violent and brutal events shown in this film.The tone has dignity and force."I shall take you deeper into England";"…as an infamous royal whore";"I leave to you the pomp,power …"."I shall pray for your mistress Elizabeth".And there are many lines that are interestingly spoken. These things are made with gusto and they sound natural within the movie.So,it is this cinematographic intelligence that pleases.Mary, Queen of Scots (1972) was released in '71 and was filmed on location at Chenonceaux,and in Scotland,Northumberland, Sussex and at Shepperton studios.In the previous decade,the '60s,several British historical dramas were made with big success: Becket (1964), A Man for All Seasons (1966),The Lion in Winter (1968),Anne of the Thousand Days (1969),Cromwell (1970), etc..

I am not a die-hard fan of Miss Redgrave's, but I will acknowledge her talent as one of our finest actresses of our day. Her portrayal of Mary of Scotland is brilliant. The cast is excellent and you will find yourself engrossed in a history lesson before you realize it. Even the portrayal of John Knox is as accurate as one can get by delving into the archives. I found myself transported back into Tudor England with one of the most dysfunctional families of all time, Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary of Scotland. Both women were anointed Queens which lends to a problem situation that many did not consider for the English Hierarchy. With both cast and acting shimmered in excellence, you will not be disappointed in this film.