Anne of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of Scots
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Patrick McGoohanDirector: Charles Jarrott
Studio: Universal Studios
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Running Time: 278 minutes
DVD Release: September 18th 2007
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DVD Review
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/18/2007
User Reviews
Absolutely first rate set of historical films - Rating: 5/5
These two films, which I loved when I was beginning to get interested in history, have met the test of re-viewing as an adult. They blew me away, yet again. Anne1000 is perhaps the finer film (with 2 fabulous actors), but the duel between Eliz 1 and MQS makes for wonderful drama. Indeed, they are also complementary, as E 1 appears in both and you see her origin.
Anne1000 is about Anne Bolyne, who was one of the causes of the Reformation in England. Hungry for power, she played a dangerous game with Henry8, leading him on, seducing him for love, and then grasping for the queenship. Once there, she lost control, much because she was unlucky in the children to whom she gave birth. H8 then lost interest, passing on to others as he was bound to do, given his appetites and character. To be sure, Boleyn was naive and arrogant, paving the way for her annihilation by her political faults, but she is also sympathetic and strong, like a proto-feminist. We also see the atmosphere in which E1 had to survive, which may explain some of her political genius. It is very moving, beautifully shot, and psychologically real. The BEST.
MQScots is very different. E1 has a shakey hold on power, being a protestant while MQS is a Catholic allied to the superpower neighbor, France. In comparison to E1, who is wholly a creature of her office having suppressed any interfering human emotion to politics, MQS wants to live and follows her sentiment. MQS is seen as a rival to the English throne, making her a mortal enemy of E1 and clearly out of her political depth. The 2 engage in a terrible struggle for power that could only lead to death. The drama is wonderfully taut.
Warmly recommended. These films satisfy on every level: as history, as stimulation, as drama.
Historical Accuracy...uhhh, No - Rating: 3/5
"Anne of the Thousand Days" and "Mary, Queen of Scotts" (late '60s and early 70s) stand up very well in terms of filmmaking done today. The costuming is rich, the attention to detail is evident in the speech patterns, even the technical quality isn't sorely lacking. The fact that these 2 films are packaged together is a boon to the viewer; they are 2 stories on divergent paths with interweaving themes. The problems arise with some of the OTT acting and numerous historical inaccuracies spouted as gospel truth.
First up is "Anne of the Thousand Days" (ATD). Portrayed with a gayness and stiffer than one would think backbone, Genevieve Bujold has a grand time prancing, flirting and storming her way to the top of the food chain in Henry VIIIs heart (Richard Burton). The portrayal is a good one, the issue (especially on the heels of Natalie Dormer's spot-on characterization in televisions 'The Tudors') is a lack of the intellectual factor that Anne Boleyn was so noted for. Yes, she was playful, prone to jealous fits, and sometimes self-absorbed, but she was also fiercely proud of the fact that she could hold her own with anyone in the political or spiritual arena. "ATD" fails to bring that across. The fact that they have Henry VIII speak with Anne while she is imprisoned in the Tower is in bitter contradiction with what he ACTUALLY did. He didn't see her, contact her, nor spend anytime with their daughter, Elizabeth. Good King Hal was too busy becoming engaged to wife #3, Jane Seymour. Strong performances were given though, a 3.5 star effort.
The accompanying DVD, "Mary, Queen of Scots" is lucky to boast the woman synonymous with Elizabeth Is portrayal, Glenda Jackson. Vanessa Redgrave is beautiful as the doomed Queen of Scots, but her accent is all over the place, and she looks like a deer in the headlights for about 85% of the film. Once again the research teams romanticize a queen's relationships and volunteer that Mary left with the Earl of Bothwell willingly after the murder of her husband Lord Darnley. This contradicts historical evidence that in fact shows Mary was more than likely abducted and sexually assaulted by Bothwell, a fact the film ignores. Having the 2 queens meet is a popular piece of fiction (HBO's ELIZABETH, with Helen Mirren, did the same thing), but nothing could be farther from the truth. QE1 would NEVER meet Mary Stewart because she understood how that could compromise her throne.
"MQS" is a film that ends up all over the place, with no real foundation unless Glenda Jackson is onscreen. I'm unsure why Redgrave was nominated for an Oscar (unless 1971 was a really poor year for women's roles in films) as her portrayal fell very flat. One bonus was the late Patrick McGoohan as Mary's half-brother, James Stuart, Earl of Moray. A 2.5 star film.
Average for both-3 stars. Some quality acting in both films from Genevieve Bujold in "ATD" and Glenda Jackson and Patrick McGoohan in "MQS."
Anne Excellent - Mary Good - Rating: 4/5
Was very pleased with the purchase. A great value! Anne moved along briskly and was compelling. Costuming an d scenery was super. Mary plodded at times.
Two Historical Masterpieces From An Era of Masterpieces - Rating: 5/5
These magnificent films date from the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period which produced many historical movies with an attention to detail and accuracy which is rarely seen in these less patient times. Each film boasts a stellar cast, including Genevieve Bujold, Richard Burton, Vanessa Redgrave, and Glenda Jackson. The language is rich and the settings are beautiful. Those with limited attention spans may feel frustrated with some of the speeches and declamations, but bear with them for a truly dramatic experience.
Mostly good performances here - Rating: 5/5
The two leading ladies are the best parts of this film, which chronicles the unhappy life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her conflicts with her cousin, Elizabeth I. Glenda Jackson as the latter is especially dynamic, forceful and interesting to watch. The costumes and locations are nicely done, and the music is suitable enough.
Some of the male performers do not fare as well, and better actors could have been chosen. I actually laughed when Vizzio was being killed because he screamed like a little girl.
If you are interested in the lives of these people, this one is worth checking out.
