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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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 102 Ratings

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 102 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

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 11 users found this helpful56

Tcarter2007

Aug 27, 2019

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

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

steveyme

Feb 18, 2019

Bland story and the politically (in)correct race casting basically just completely undermined my enjoyment.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

jackbailey02

Feb 25, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oscar bait that didn't really come off. The film is very drawn out, and I know its about Mary, hence the title, but it felt like there could have been more focus on Elizabeth. Agree with some other reviews too, you can't rewrite history because the modern day is very PC, as much as people might not agree with the way things were. The trailer was deceptive too. If you are expecting some kind of Mary vs Elizabeth film with the latter descending into madness, you are going to be disappointed.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

The3AcademySins

Nov 6, 2019

Mary Queen of Scots is one of the weakest, most plodding, most boring, and lackluster historical dramas I have ever seen. Not even Margot Robbie and Saorise Ronan can save this shoddily written screenplay. There's almost nothing redeemable about the production. It is somehow both incrediblyMary Queen of Scots is one of the weakest, most plodding, most boring, and lackluster historical dramas I have ever seen. Not even Margot Robbie and Saorise Ronan can save this shoddily written screenplay. There's almost nothing redeemable about the production. It is somehow both incredibly beautiful and utterly lifeless. The action is completely boring. Even the sex scenes somehow manage to be both ostentatious and workmanlike. There's not a whole ton of care taken in regards to historical accuracy. What's most interesting is that this whole story is historically moot, because Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots never met face-to-face in real life, so this movie is more fantasy than anything. However, a lot of the cinematography and costume design is beautiful and engaging. This movie is just a needless bore.… 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

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

YeetusMcGeetus

Nov 6, 2019

Pretty terrible. There is no way around it! I could not even finish the movie without falling asleep from boredom.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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