Mary, Queen Of Scots (1971)

Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson star in this historical drama portraying the life of Mary Stuart. Mary (Redgrave), named Queen of Scotland when she is only days old, is married off to the sickly Francis of France (Richard Denning) at the age of 17. Following his death she returns to a Scotland dominated by Protestantism and regented by her brother James (Patrick McGoohan), before making two more unfortunate marriages, first to the foppish Lord Darnley (Timothy Dalton) and then to Lord Bothwell (Nigel Davenport). Following an uprising against her she escapes to England to seek the protection of her cousin, the 'Virgin Queen' Elizabeth I (Jackson) - who promptly orders her imprisonment, perceiving her a threat to her throne. After a long period of custody in England, Mary is tried and executed for treason.Special featuresPresented in High DefinitionAudio commentary by film historian and critic Sergio Mims (2020)Isolated John Barry score with commentary from film historians Nick Redman and Jon BurlingameRiding High (2022, 6 mins): actor Frances White recalls a few of her most memorable experiences on locationThe Guardian Lecture: Glenda Jackson (1982, 77 mins, audio only): the actor interviewed at the National Film TheatreNow and Then: Vanessa Redgrave (1968, 30 mins): the actor is interviewed by Bernard Braden for his never broadcast show seriesPromotional trailer (1971, 4 mins)Image galleryNewly created audio description trackNewly commissioned reversible sleeve by artist David Downton**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet with a new essay by Ellen Cheshire and selected biographies by John Oliver