ma-cortes A dramatization of Lady Jane Grey's short life ,as the death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes . It deals with Jane Grey (a very young Helena Bonham Carter) from her forced marriage , which she resisted at the beginning , though after falling in love for Guilford Dudley (Gary Elwes, director Trevor Nunn personally chose him to star this role , Nunn later offered Elwes to join the Royal Shakespeare Company) to her brief reign as monarch of England , his early downfall and finally , to her ultimate beheading . The film portrays her as an innocent set up for the slaughter while the scheming courtiers and pretenders to the throne barely pay her mind, as they stab each other in the back in their attempts to gain power and influence . Anxious to keep England true to the Anglican Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley , the Duke of Nothumberland (John Wood) marries off his son to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward VI dies . Thomas Wyatt was the leader of the rebellion, proclaiming her Queen of England , her father, Henry, was a part of this rebellion. But all of them cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their definitive fall . In 1553, Lady Jane Grey ruled the throne in Britain for just nine days. Jane was imprisoned along with Guilford ; in reality, Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley barely knew each other and were not together during their imprisonment . She was aged sixteen years when she was the Queen of England . She was the Grand Niece of King Henry VIII. Jane Grey is rarely referred to as Queen Jane and is more commonly known as Lady Jane .This is a correct portrayal about political intrigue , lovers and war during Edward VI , Henry VIII's weak son , is on his deathbed . As are splendidly recreated intrigues , treason , turmoil and power fight of its time , including the troublesome days and machinations surrounding . It deals with a wonderful love story between Lady Jane Grey and Lord Guilford ; at first hostile to each other, but later they fall in love . It's magnificently captured by marvelous sets , splendid production design and glamorous gowns . This elaborate , colorful costumer drama packs outstanding performances from an extraordinary support cast . As the film was cast with several members of the Royal Shakespeare Company . These included prestigious players as John Wood, Michael Hordern, Patrick Stewart, Sara Kestelman, writer David Edgar, and the film's director, Trevor Nunn, who was also the Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company . This was the third filmed for the cinema version of the Lady Jane story . The tale had been filmed twice before for the big screen, the most recent at the time was half a century earlier in 1936, as The Tudor Rose , and before that, the first time in 1923, about sixty-three years earlier, as Lady Jane Grey ; or, The Court of Intrigue.Colorful as well as glowing cinematography , being final British film shot by veteran English cinematographer Douglas Slocombe , the picture was also the penultimate film overall lensed by Slocombe, whose final film was Indiana Jones and the last crusade about three years later . Evocative musical score plenty of chores , lyrics and Baroque music , being the only ever cinema film score composed by music composer Stephen Oliver whose work was mostly in television. The motion picture was well directed by Trevor Nunn . This was first theatrical film for director Trevor in eleven years , the last had been Hedda in 1975 and the third and final was Twelfth Night or What You Will ; all three pictures are costume period films.

movie_watcher 1234 I love watching period movies. I really like Helena Bonham Carter, she is one from my list of favorite actresses, and I really looked forward to watch an old movie of her when she was young and at the beginning. She is a talented actress and even when she was young she still gave great performances. I look forward to watch Hamlet too because I've seen some samples on the internet of her Ophelia and I enjoyed them. As for this movie, I like it. A decent and bittersweet story of two young people who are persecuted by the ones who gave them life only to accomplish their own selfish interests in ruling a kingdom. But when they discover how much power they posses as the next rulers, their ideas to change the world and make a better place, while also enjoying life and their love makes everything interesting and sweet. The actors did a great job, the costume's were amazing, and it's a really inspiring story about how power, money and selfishness can change some innocent's people destiny.Worth watching in a quiet evening.

brendangcarroll Trevor Nunn may be a great theatre director but he cannot make movies. Just why he decided to make this turkey, I cannot imagine. Given that the actual true story of Lady Jane Grey is a fascinating example of political intrigue in Tudor England, it is all the more inexplicable that Nunn opts for a Woman's Own version of the tale complete with syrupy music that lurches in style from faux 16th century to 1980s muzak.Historical accuracy goes out the window and suddenly the 15 year old Jane and her slightly older husband Guildford Dudley are transformed into young lovers cast in the 'Romeo & Juliet' mould. The pace is leaden, and at almost 2 and a half hours, the film is overly long. Beautiful photography and many historic locations aside, the best ingredient is the wonderful supporting cast drawn from some of the finest acting talent in the British Isles.Of course (as can be judged from most of the comments here) the Americans loved it and perhaps it was made for the US market? The recent, equally risible TV series THE TUDORS was made for America too - given that English history is not a strong point across the pond.It was a failure on release and Nunn has not made a major film since.Thank goodness!

obsessedchikee I had passed the copy of "Lady Jane" at the public library multiple times, each time mildly interested due to Cary Elwes being in it. Finally this week, I actually checked it out after noticing that Helena Bonham Carter (another fave) was in it as well. I never thought it would be this good.I wasn't familiar with the story of Jane Grey before watching the movie which was a good thing. I'm interested in the history of the English kings and queens, particularly Henry VIII and his children. Somewhere I missed the Nine Days Queen and like I said, that was a plus for the movie.Lady Jane (Helena Bonham Carter) is a young girl who embraced the new Protestant religion in a primarily Catholic world. She's put into an arranged marriage with the son of the Duke of Northumberland. Guilford (Cary Elwes) is shown to be a drunken womanizer, dug out of a whorehouse when he is informed of his upcoming wedding. Against all odds(but not too surprising, considering it is a movie) they fall in love. Then, their social climbing parents coerce the dying King Edward to change his will to place Jane as his successor. In that time, Jane and Guilford implement new laws and practices that the counselors are none to pleased with. As a result, the exiled Princess Mary is returned to London and Jane and Guilford are imprisoned for usurping the throne, and eventually executed.Helena Bonham Carter is brilliant in the title role. I haven't seen her act this young before and was pleased with what I saw. She had remarkable discipline as a mere 18 year old and great command of the character.Cary Elwes (always amazing) was very interesting to watch in this. He appears at first to be highly immature, lazy, and unmotivated, desiring nothing but alcohol, and sampling the pleasures of "a lady of the night." He is in truth, revealed to be highly passionate for his cause in reforming the world he lives in. Together, HBC and CE have fantastic chemistry and are a complete joy to watch.The entire cast is good. The majority of them are veteran RSC actors and a wonderful offset to the youthfulness of Helena and Cary.It was a great script, great actors, great music, and in general, it is highly unforgettable. I can watch it again and again.