Mary Queen of Scots

[MichaelB]

Acting royalty Glenda Jackson and Vanessa Redgrave deliver powerhouse performances in this thrilling period drama, depicting the political machinations that defined the reigns of Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart. Available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, the multi-Oscar-nominated MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (1971), directed by Charles Jarrott, is presented with a reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by illustrator David Downton.

Released on 11 July.

[swo17]

Not sure how it compares, but I just saw Jackson as Lady Hamilton in The Nelson Affair (coming soon from Imprint) and I'll gladly take much more of that! Jarrott's immediately preceding film, Anne of the Thousand Days, is also very good

[MichaelB]

Full specs announced:

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS
A film by Charles Jarrott
Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson

BFI Blu-ray release on 11 July 2022

The historical rivalry between two of Britain’s most fascinating monarchs is brought brilliantly to life in this thrilling period drama starring acting royalty Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson. Their stunning performances are supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Trevor Howard, Ian Holm and Timothy Dalton.

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS comes to Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, packed with extras and released by the BFI on 11 July. The release coincides with a BFI Southbank season celebrating the immense talent of actor Glenda Jackson, with screenings of film and television work spanning her incredible career. GLENDA JACKSON: THE ART OF CONVICTION takes place from 2-31 July.

When the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots (Vanessa Redgrave) returns to her homeland to claim her throne, the court of her cousin, the Protestant Elizabeth I (Glenda Jackson) in neighbouring England, is thrown into turmoil, as the question of succession becomes an ever-pressing concern to the ‘Virgin Queen’. Political machinations and intrigue abound as the competing camps jostle for dominance, with the threat of the executioner’s axe looming large.

Special features
• Presented in High Definition
• Audio commentary by film historian and critic Sergio Mims (2020)
• Isolated John Barry score with commentary from film historians Nick Redman and Jon Burlingame
• Original overture and musical intermission
• Riding High (2022, 6 mins): actor Frances White recalls a few of her most memorable experiences on location
• The Guardian Lecture: Glenda Jackson (1982, 77 mins, audio only): the actor interviewed at the National Film Theatre
• Now and Then: Vanessa Redgrave (1968, 30 mins): the actor is interviewed by Bernard Braden for his never broadcast series
• Promotional trailer (1971, 4 mins)
• Image gallery
• Newly created audio description track
• Newly commissioned reversible sleeve art by artist David Downton
• ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with a new essay by Ellen Cheshire, biographies of Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson by John Oliver, credits and notes on the special features

Product details
RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1461 / 12
USA / 1971 / colour / 128 minutes / English language, with optional subtitles for the Deaf and partial hearing, and audio description / original aspect ratio 2.35:1 // BD50: 1080p, 24fps, PCM 2.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

[Finch]

Cine Outsider review says solid film solid disc (apart from the commentary)

[Michael Kerpan]

I would note that the ahistorical "tradition" of showing at least one face-to-face confrontation between Elizabeth and Mary goes back quite a long way -- for instance, Donizetti's 1835 opera Maria Stuarda (where that scene is quite a barn-burner), based on Schiller's 1800 play Maria Stuart.