Mary Queen of Scots

Focus Features | Release Date: December 7, 2018

5.5	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 115 Ratings

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bataguilaMay 6, 2019

Entretenida, la historia es emocionante la 2da mitad, tiene problemas con el casting q hay negro y chinos, pero fuera de eso todo muy bien

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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BHBarryDec 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“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

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swingDec 19, 2018

Well done. Mary is the star of the movie, for sure. The setting and appearance seemed spot on. The acting was excellent. However, I could not totally follow the story, nor always assess who were supporting Mary and who were not. I didWell done. Mary is the star of the movie, for sure. The setting and appearance seemed spot on. The acting was excellent. However, I could not totally follow the story, nor always assess who were supporting Mary and who were not. I did get the gist, but would have enjoyed it more with either some narrative, written or spoken.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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MarkHReviewsDec 22, 2018

You have to feel a little sorry for Director Josie Rourke and Screenwriter Beau Willimon. How do you create a unique, distinctive point of view for material that has been addressed so many times? The Friedrich Schiller play “Mary Stuart”You have to feel a little sorry for Director Josie Rourke and Screenwriter Beau Willimon. How do you create a unique, distinctive point of view for material that has been addressed so many times? The Friedrich Schiller play “Mary Stuart” was performed in 1800. The play was the inspiration for Gaetano Donizetti’s opera “Maria Stuarda” in 1835. 1936’s “Mary of Scotland,” starring Katherine Hepburn in the title role, was the first film version. It was followed by “Mary, Queen of Scots” in 1971 with Vanessa Redgrave and “Elizabeth” (1998), the world’s introduction to Cate Blanchett. You get the idea.

Screenwriter Willimon’s text is more than up to the task of crafting an original point of view. This “Mary” becomes a meditation on themes that feel entirely contemporary. The grace, courage and innate intelligence of both Mary (Saoirse Ronan) and Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie) stand in stark contrast to the self-absorption, conniving and over-reliance on violence that overwhelm the male characters whenever they perceive a chance to seize power. The message is so cogent that is creates modest hopes that US politics may be leavened in the coming year as more women enter the equation. The film also dramatizes the potentially corrosive influence of organized religion, as minister John Knox (David Tennant, working incognito behind a massive beard) bellows about Mary’s unacceptability to be a monarch worthy of respect, because she is Catholic not Protestant and has the misfortune of being female.

This is nominally the first feature film for Director Josie Rourke. However, Ms. Rourke has been in charge at Donmar Warehouse in London since 2011. The first female Artistic Director in the history of the West End, Ms. Rourke’s theatrical sensibilities add depth and texture to the film. This is particularly worthwhile as we see the visual evolution of Elizabeth from attractive young queen to disfigured smallpox victim to, eventually, the caricature in bright red wig and whiteface who has lost her individualism as she has become submerged in her role as monarch.

Ronan and Robbie are also excellent. Ronan shows the emotional versatility we’ve come to expect from her prior work - “Brooklyn,” “Lady Bird,” “On Chesil Beach.” In this case, her portrayal of Mary is riveting as she communicates grace, courage, fear and intelligence in full measure. Because the screenplay focuses so centrally on Mary, Robbie (so excellent in last year’s “I, Tonya”) is given a prosthetic nose and little to do until the film’s climax, at which point her forceful presence commands attention. Along the way, both women communicate a fondness, respect and desire for friendship from a cousin who is simultaneously her most-feared rival.

This “Mary, Queen of Scots” is a retelling well worth the full attention of today’s audience. Most of us already knew that, by the end of the story, Mary would be a little light-headed. It’s refreshing that we learned so much about gender, religion, power and humanity along the way.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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Tcarter2007Aug 27, 2019

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

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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GinaKDec 17, 2018

The performances of the two lead actresses (Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan) were great, and the rest of the cast (full of well-known British actors) was strong also. That said, I think you have to be interested in history to really enjoyThe performances of the two lead actresses (Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan) were great, and the rest of the cast (full of well-known British actors) was strong also. That said, I think you have to be interested in history to really enjoy this film. I am, so this was no problem for me and my family. However, this film was more about history than about human beings, although I don’t think that was the fault of the actors, but of the director. And although I was interested and never bored, the film seemed longer than two hours.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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mattwelchMar 22, 2021

Saoirse Ronan delivers a great performance and looks beautiful. The rest of the movie is meh.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 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

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GazMoviesJan 1, 2021

Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie are really strong in the lead roles. I don't think this film is very accurate Historically they have changed some things I guess to make the story more interesting.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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