Mary Queen of Scots

Name: Mary Queen of Scots
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: December 7, 2018
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Adrian Lester, Alex Beckett, Angela Bain, Brendan Coyle, David Tennant

2018

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Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 114 Ratings

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5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 114 Ratings

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Mary Queen Of Scots

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: December 7, 2018 | R

Starring: Adrian Lester, Alex Beckett, Angela Bain, Brendan Coyle, David Tennant, Eileen O'Higgins, Gemma Chan, Guy Pearce, Guy Rhys, Ian Hart, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Izuka Hoyle, Jack Lowden, James McArdle, Joe Alwyn, John Ramm, Liah O'Prey, Margot Robbie, Martin Compston, Richard Cant, Saoirse Ronan, Thom Petty

Summary: Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds herMary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.… Expand

Director: Josie Rourke

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 124 min

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Critic Reviews

Yolanda Machado

Nov 15, 2018

Ronan’s fiery Mary and Robbie’s emotionally complex Elizabeth truly reign divine on screen. Read full review

Empire Helen O'Hara

Nov 16, 2018

A history lesson with more fire in the belly than most. It turns out that a feminist angle really can revive the same old Tudor psychodramas, thanks in large part to Ronan and Robbie’s authoritative performance. Read full review

Rex Reed

Dec 10, 2018

You go away from Mary Queen of Scots sated but exhausted. The problem, as I see it, is that in spite of director Josie Rourke’s solemnity, her passion for translating history into modern terms doesn’t always jell. Read full review

Moira Macdonald

Dec 10, 2018

You find yourself focusing on the details of Alexandra Byrne’s flowing costumes, or on the wince-inducing meticulousness of Robbie’s post-pox makeup, rather than caught up in the story. Except when Ronan’s face catches the light; there, Mary Queen of Scots finds its fire. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Dec 6, 2018

It looks beautiful and moves swiftly but never quite takes full imaginative flight. Read full review

Vince Mancini

Dec 13, 2018

Mary Queen of Scot’s characterizations are confused, its themes murky. Such that when we leave the theater our dominant impression is “boy, that sure was a story, huh?” Which is to say, a tale in which a lot of wild things happened but we’re not entirely sure what they meant. Read full review

David Sims

Dec 12, 2018

This movie is little more than a vibrant-looking tableau, a two-dimensional take on an intricate piece of history. It’s a tale that’s been told better before, and Willimon’s modern updates are less enlightened than they initially seem. Read full review

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User Reviews

BHBarry

Dec 8, 2018

“Mary, Queen of Scots” stars Saoirse Ronan in the title role together with Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I in this epic biodrama of 16th Century politics, religious prejudice and royal intrigue. Directed by Josie Rourke and based on the novel by John Guy who co-wrote the screenplay with Beau“Mary, Queen of Scots” stars Saoirse Ronan in the title role together with Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I in this epic biodrama of 16th Century politics, religious prejudice and royal intrigue. Directed by Josie Rourke and based on the novel by John Guy who co-wrote the screenplay with Beau Willamon (the writer and producer of “House of Cards”), this is basically the story of two cousins forced by their male advisors and counsel to be at war with each other and the kingdoms claimed to by each. For history buffs, this is a film that will put a new perspective on the life and reign of Mary who, until now, was thought of as an immature monarch placed in a role for which she was ill prepared. Instead Messrs. Guy and Willamon show Mary to be a spirited, wise and dedicated ruler who was, according to all records, the rightful heir to the kingdom and thrones of both England and Scotland. Interesting to note that today’s British monarch, Elizabeth II, is a direct descendant (11 times removed) of Mary. I give this film am 8 for its historical value and the quality performances of the ladies who portray the two queens.… Expand

5 of 12 users found this helpful57

Tcarter2007

Aug 27, 2019

Excellent betrayal of Queen Mary of Scotland. Her Scottish accent was believable.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this to be quite an engrossing watch. It may not (pretty much certainly isn't) entirely historically accurate/factual but it features good performances from the main cast and some impressive settings and so its watchable from that point of view. I thought it was quite gripping in the scenes featuring both of the distant warring family members and I thought it featured some rather impressive examples of cinematography. Also, I thought David Tennant gave a quite powerful performance, even though you don't see him much as such but moreso in terms of his speeches heard by a crowd of people on more than one ocassion. I feel his voice is instantly recognisable and I'd say him and Saoirse Ronan gave the most memorable performances, although Margot Robbie pulls her weight too. Elements of the plot may be a bit fanciful but I found it quite a gripping and interesting watch regardless.

Also, I feel I can't review it without mentioning that there are some sex scenes and partial nudity present. It would be a slightly awkward watch for younger people if with parents and it did add a bit of a salacious element to it, which perhaps wasn't entirely necessary but for the most part its a gripping watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Jan 28, 2019

Pretentious Tug Of War

Mary Queen Of Scots Rourke's period drama has both, the essence of that era and plethora of drama to fuel the film, what it lacks vigorously is the attitude to own that throne. There is no romance between the audience and the characters; none at all, and hence thisPretentious Tug Of War

Mary Queen Of Scots

Rourke's period drama has both, the essence of that era and plethora of drama to fuel the film, what it lacks vigorously is the attitude to own that throne. There is no romance between the audience and the characters; none at all, and hence this repulsive script sets the doom for itself. The storyline is without a doubt, cinematic, dramatic, unlike your usual period drama, it is a script that feeds itself off on the antics. And the filmmakers were aware of them, hence they have directed all their guns on either building up to that peak moment or fill in the blank that would spice up that moment. In order to do so, presumably they have completely lopped off the flamboyancy in narration, there is no flow, it either leaps or skips. The film is incredibly rich in costume, make-up, production design with huge set pieces and jaw dropping location that is clearly appealing.

As mentioned before, the film lacks the poised tone of these characters and storyline, there is not enough ego to boast off in front of anyone or boost off the storytelling furthermore. Set in two different stages, personally I feel there is a lot to peel off in Robbie's section. Her character might be fighting against the entire country or world or her own people, but her greatest fear is herself and that resistance that plays a vital role in this film is the best asset of it.

Unlike Robbie, Ronan gets a character that is completely satisfied with herself and has to fight against the others, but mind you, her track is much more gripping, much more juicy and glorifying. I can see why this has been Ronan's anticipated project for a while, since has got quite a wide range in her character to step in. And respecting the material, the stage, the history and the Queen herself, she is giving her best in each scene.

Among two phases of hers, one of the strongest is in early stages, when she is taking things and people around her lightly and shows every sign of bratty-ness there is. The second half takes over the characters and has too much to say and do to let the actors overpower the storyline. The only time when Ronan and Robbie shares the screen- to which the entire movie is building towards- is well shot, performed and written.

The amount of pressure it has to qualify with good grade on that scene, is well managed on both paper and screen. The other supporting cast doesn't get much to do except for Pearce who has done a decent work. Rourke's world isn't subjective enough to make its audience care for them, it is well aware of its pathos dark world to be appealing, but the content is read off like mere poignant news. Mary Queen Of Scots has everything we have seen in such genre, and its only unique quality which is to create the crisp tense environment between two personalities, is left untouched.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MattBrady99

Jun 24, 2019

I wasn't quite **** even with the talent involved.

It's too dry for my taste, but not to say there isn't redeemable qualities. The sets, costumes, and performances were all solid, especially with it being a period piece drama. And an entertaining performance from David Tennant, in spite ofI wasn't quite **** even with the talent involved.

It's too dry for my taste, but not to say there isn't redeemable qualities. The sets, costumes, and performances were all solid, especially with it being a period piece drama. And an entertaining performance from David Tennant, in spite of the slim screen time.

However, the sluggish pace ruins any investment I could have with the story and the movie unfortunately follows the period piece drama formula. But seriously, releasing this movie at the same time as 'The Favourite' aka Walk Hard of period dramas, didn't really help.

I think being broke is better than being ''woke''.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

imthenoob

Feb 20, 2019

Fantastic performances by Ronan and Robbie. The rest of the cast, especially David Tennant, do a great job in their bit parts as well. That doesn't stop the film from being freaking boring though. So very little happens onscreen and most of it just comes off as typical soap opera drama, It'sFantastic performances by Ronan and Robbie. The rest of the cast, especially David Tennant, do a great job in their bit parts as well. That doesn't stop the film from being freaking boring though. So very little happens onscreen and most of it just comes off as typical soap opera drama, It's boring and it fails to maintain your interest throughout. So as much as the cast tries, The material they were given fails to bring anything to the table but that's to be expected. Most historical drams fail to capitalize on the source material.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Quartzcat

Feb 4, 2020

Horribly Historically inaccurate in the name of diversity. Pointless boring film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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