MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS

UK, 2018, 124 minutes, Colour.
Saoirse Ronin, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Ian Hart, David Tennant, Jack Lowdon, Simon Russell Beale, Martin Compston, James Mc Ardle, Adrian Lester, Gemma Chan, Ismael Cruz Cordova.
Directed by Jessie Rourke.

It is almost 50 years since the film, Mary, Queen of Scots, appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the title role and with Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth. In the meantime, there have been many films and television series about Elizabeth, but Mary has been in the background, remembered principally for the fact that she was executed.

This time the focus is quite prominently on Mary, Elizabeth being presented as something of a supporting character. The performances are very good indeed, Saoirse Ronin as Mary, from a young woman in the 1560s to her execution in 1587. Margot Robbie, rather deglamorised, even being seen with the pox, offers an interestingly different interpretation of Elizabeth.

As does the screenplay, based on more recent research on the era and these prominent regal women. In fact, the screenplay also points out that what the two women have in common is that they were monarchs in the 16th century where rulers were kings or emperors, where the expectation was to be married and produce male heirs. Mary succeeded, though not in the way she anticipated. Elizabeth did not succeed.

While the film opens with Mary’s execution, and glimpses of the two women, most of the action is in flashback, very interesting for those who enjoy historical films and their explorations and portraits.

In this interpretation of Mary, there is information about her being a Stuart, her unfulfilled marriage at a young age to the French king, assuming the manners and style of the French court, the significance of her Catholicism in the context of the Reformation (especially with the thunderings of Presbyterian John Knox in Edinburgh and his political machinations and advice), the role of the Church of England in Elizabeth’s reign. The pitting of Catholic against Protestant is a dominating feature of this film.

Early in the film there is a reference to “Matters of State� and “Matters of the Heart�. While there are some of the latter, the relationship between Elizabeth and the Earl of Dudley, Lord Darnley and his relationship with Mary, the marriage, the subsequent marriage to Bothwell, Matters of State are the dominant themes. There are also mail plots, betrayals, murders.

Mary is strong-minded, sometimes capricious, relating well to her half-brother who also betrays her, fascinated by Darnley and his sexuality, enjoying the company of her ladies-in-waiting (who do do a lot of waiting outside the door), the company of Italian courtier, David Rizzio, leading her forces into battle, this is the younger Mary before her imprisonment, the plots against her by the nobles of her court.

Dramatically, the men are somewhat in the background although they wield their power. Elizabeth relies on the advice of Lord Cecil (Guy Pearce), Mary undermined by Lord Maitland (Ian Hart). The English Ambassador to the Court of Edinburgh (Adrian Lester) tries to manipulate for the English point of view. David Tennant is John Knox, bigoted and blustering.

At the end, Mary is a thwarted figure, experiencing disappointment, having a brief encounter with Elizabeth, but taken to execution – and her son, James, King of Scotland but, at Elizabeth death with no Tudor heir, King James I of England.

The film is well directed by Josie Rourke, who is experience has been more in theatre than on screen.

1. The recreation of British and Scottish history? The 16th century? The world of the Tudors? The world of the Stuarts?

2. Audience knowledge of the characters, the events? The initial information in the film? The interpretation of the events and characters? Siding with Mary, siding with Elizabeth?

3. The quality of the re-creation, Scotland, the terrain, the sea, the mountains, Edinburgh and the buildings, the Palace? The interiors? The contrast with the English court? Costumes and decor? The musical score?

4. The focus on Mary, the initial information, her age, married in France, widow, the return to Scotland, contact with her half-brother, the Catholic tradition, the Stuarts? Surrounded by plots? The performance from Saiorse Ronin and her creating the character of Mary? Her age and growing older, the relationship with her brother, betrayal, reconciliation? Bothwell and his protection? The range of men in the court, their contrasting views? Her life, ladies in waiting, speaking French and English?

5. Elizabeth as a supporting character, the background of the Tudors, Henry VIII, the execution of Anne Boleyn, her not being Mary, Protestant tradition, unmarried, not having an heir, the role of her advisers, the Court hostile to the pope? Her reliance on Dudley – but not marrying him? The portrait of Mary, Elizabeth attitude towards Mary?

6. The screenplay highlighting Matters of State, Matters of Heart? Both presented and explored, the domination of Matters of State?

7. The position of women, in authority, the anti-women attitude of courtiers and advisers? The two queens and the role of men in their regimes? John Knox, the Presbyterian reform, his fierceness, denunciations of women? Stirring the powers against Mary? His religious principles of the congregation, anti-papist?

8. Mary, consolidating the throne, her advisers, the suspicions of Maitland? The British ambassador, the discussions, trying to persuade her to yield? Darnley and his father, from the English court, the plan, the Catholic background? Darnley, young, his character? The plan, for Mary, the Catholic tradition, sexuality, sexual issues, the initial sexual behaviour with Darnley? Preserving her virginity? Mary becoming pregnant? The court, the presence of David, musician, at home in the court, with the ladies? The ladies, waiting outside, discreet?

9. David, his role in the court, the sexual encounter with Darnley? The court planning his murder, forcing Darnley to sign the document?

10. The battle sequences, the attention to detail, the troops, the fighting, hand-to-hand, victories?

11. Mary and her pregnancy? The birth of her son? His future role?

12. Plotting against Mary, Maitland and his sinister behaviour, Bothwell escaping? The murder of David, the request for the pardon, Darnley signing it, the murder of Darnley?

13. Mary’s half-brother, his status, plotting?

14. The return of Bothwell, his place in the court, marrying Mary? His violence and aggression?

15. The Tudor court, Elizabeth and her relationship with Dudley, her experience of the pox and its effect on her? The presence of Lord Cecil, continual advice, Elizabeth listening, sometimes disregard? Her sympathy with Mary, the organisation of the meeting, the discussions, the tension, mutual suspicions? Elizabeth ultimately signing Mary’s execution document?

16. The birth of the boy, Mary confined, the passing of the years?

17. The opening and closing of the film, the two queens, walking into courtyards, Mary and the red dress, her execution?

18. The final information about Elizabeth, the reign, the accession of James, King of Scotland, King of England?