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Biographical drama

Mary, Queen of Scots (1971): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) movie poster

Mary, Queen of Scots is a 1971 biographical drama directed by Charles Jarrott, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Trevor Howard and Ian Holm. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes. It was nominated for 5 Oscars. Critics gave it 53 on Metacritic.

award nominations
9
Metascore
53
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Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Charles Jarrott
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mary, Queen of Scots About?

The premise of Mary, Queen of Scots without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This biographical drama tells the story of Mary Stuart, who became Queen of Scotland at just six days old. Facing imprisonment by her rival, Elizabeth Tudor, Mary’s life becomes entangled with that of the English monarch. As years pass, their differing personalities and ambitions lead to conflict and a complex power struggle. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, ambition, and the weight of responsibility as their fates become intertwined, ultimately leading to a tragic climax.

Mary, Queen of Scots Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female ruler
  • character name as title
  • birth
  • exploding house
  • anglican
  • religious bigotry
  • secret passageway
  • barge
  • loss of husband
  • cardinal
  • france
  • adultery
+38 more
  • prayer
  • sibling rivalry
  • beach
  • marriage proposal
  • tower of london
  • wedding
  • hunting
  • stabbing
  • drugged drink
  • deception
  • 1560s
  • 1580s
  • john knox character
  • king francis ii of france character
  • mary queen of scots character
  • queen elizabeth i character
  • jackson and howard
  • v. redgrave and howard
  • v. redgrave and dalton
  • period drama
  • queen
  • scotland
  • execution
  • catholic
  • syphilis
  • religion
  • priest
  • pregnancy
  • political alliance
  • nobility
  • jealousy
  • italian
  • horse
  • castle
  • brother sister relationship
  • betrayal
  • assassination
  • ambition
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Cast & crew

Mary, Queen of Scots Cast

Vanessa Redgrave leads the cast, with Trevor Howard and Ian Holm. Directed by Charles Jarrott; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Charles Jarrott

More films directed by Charles Jarrott, best-rated first: Condorman, The Boy in Blue, The Christmas List and At the Midnight Hour.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mary, Queen of Scots Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mary, Queen of Scots 53 on Metacritic.

Plot

Mary, Queen of Scots Plot Summary

What happens in Mary, Queen of Scots from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1561, after her husband’s demise, Mary, Queen of Scotland makes her way back to her half-brother’s estate, carrying with her a palpable sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. As she adjusts to her new life, Elizabeth, the Queen of England, grows increasingly apprehensive about the possibility of Mary’s claim to the English throne, especially given her own struggles with producing an heir. John Knox, a fervent Protestant cleric and a member of Mary’s council, becomes a significant source of friction, prompting Mary to take steps to dismiss him from his influential position.

Full summary

The whole story of Mary, Queen of Scots, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

Mary, Queen of Scots Awards & Nominations

Mary, Queen of Scots was nominated for 5 Oscars. The 9 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1972.

9 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Mary, Queen of Scots Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mary, Queen of Scots.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (1971) Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mary, Queen of Scots?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does Mary, Queen of Scots return to Scotland?

Details

Mary, Queen of Scots Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Marie Stuart, reine d'Écosse” and “Marie Stuartovna, královna Skotska”.

Also known as
  • Marie Stuart, reine d'Écosse
  • Marie Stuartovna, královna Skotska
  • Maria Stuart
  • Königin von Schottland
  • Maria Stuarda regina di Scozia
  • María, reina de Escocia
  • Mária, a skótok királynője
  • Marie Stuart, reine d'Ecosse
  • Мария – королева Шотландии
  • Mary Stuart
  • Rainha da Escócia
  • クイン・メリー/愛と悲しみの生涯
+8 more
  • Maria Stuart: Dronning af Skotland
  • 英宫恨
  • 스코틀랜드의 여왕 매리
  • Марія — королева Шотландії
  • Marija
  • Škotijos karalienė
  • Duas Rainhas
  • Maria Stuart - Drottning av Skottland

Seen Mary, Queen of Scots?

FAQ

Mary, Queen of Scots FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Mary, Queen of Scots, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mary, Queen of Scots?

Mary, Queen of Scots runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Mary, Queen of Scots released?

Mary, Queen of Scots was released on December 22, 1971.

Who directed Mary, Queen of Scots?

Mary, Queen of Scots was directed by Charles Jarrott.

More films by Charles Jarrott

Who is in the cast of Mary, Queen of Scots?

Mary, Queen of Scots stars Vanessa Redgrave, Trevor Howard and Ian Holm, among 10 credited actors.

How is Mary, Queen of Scots rated?

Mary, Queen of Scots has 53 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was Mary, Queen of Scots nominated for any awards?

Mary, Queen of Scots received 9 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Mary, Queen of Scots have a post-credit scene?

No. Mary, Queen of Scots has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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