Lady Jane

Director: Trevor Nunn Trevor Nunn

Overview

Lady Jane Grey, the 16-year-old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England, is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter. Lady Jane Grey's sickly cousin, who becomes Edward VI upon the death of Henry VIII, is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers-that-be, fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule, contrive to marry off Edward VI's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley (Cary Elwes), the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne, attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane's cousin Princess Mary (Jane Lapotaire) results in the ouster, and eventual execution, of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti-establishment themes; teen-agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future, making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story, Tudor Rose, was filmed in 1936.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/05/2019
UPC:	0032429277565
Original Release:	1985
Source:	PARAMOUNT
Language:	English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Helena Bonham Carter	Lady Jane Grey
Cary Elwes	Guilford Dudley
Michael Hordern	Doctor Feckenham
Jill Bennett	Mrs. Ellen
Joss Ackland	Sir John Bridges
Ian Hogg	Sir John Gates
Pip Torrens	Thomas
Matthew Guinness	Dr. Owen
Guy Henry	Robert Dudley
Andrew Bicknell	John Dudley
Zelah Clarke	Lady Anne Wharton
Laura Clipsham	Katherine Grey
John Wood	John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
Jane Lapotaire	Princess Mary
Sara Kestelman	Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk
Patrick Stewart	Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk
Warren Saire	Edward VI
Lee Montague	Renard, the Spanish Ambassador
Richard Vernon	The Marquess of Winchester,Jeweler
David Waller	Archbishop Cranmer
Richard Johnson	The Earl of Arundel
Jeanette Fox	Wedding Dancer
Robin Martin Oliver	Singer
Clyde Pollitt	Peasant Leader
Janet Henfrey	Housekeeper
Brian Poyser	Under Treasurer
Philip Voss	Herald
Robert Putt	Steward
Stewart Harwood	Tavern Keeper
Carole Hayman	Brothel Keeper
Richard Moore	Soldier
Michael Goldie	Porter
Denyse Alexander	Dressmaker
Nicky Croydon	Singing Maid
John Abbott	Manservant
Alison Woodgate	Wedding Dancer
Philippa Luce	Wedding Dancer
Eliza Kern	Wedding Dancer
Krzysia Bialeska	Wedding Dancer
Cryss Jean Healey	Wedding Dancer
Adele Anderson	Lady Warwick
Anna Gilbert	Lady Robert Dudley
William Morgan Sheppard	Executioner
Stephen Oliver	Composer

Technical Credits

Chris Bryant

David Edgar

Trevor Nunn	Director
Peter Snell	Producer
Chris Bryant	Screenwriter
David Edgar	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Acclaimed British actress Helena Bonham Carter made her screen debut in this 1985 historical drama about Lady Jane Grey and her nine-day rule as Queen of England. So good was Carter in her 16th Century role that filmdom began starring her in other costume dramas, both fictional and nonfictional, in which she continued to perform brilliantly. In Lady Jane, Carter aptly exhibits the principal qualities of her historical counterpart: precocity, idealism, resolve. Because the real Lady Jane was beautiful, according to historical accounts, Carter's own intriguing comeliness serves to enhance the accuracy of her portrayal and fuel the romantic fire she enkindles with Cary Elwes as Guildford Dudley, the playboy tippler with royal connections whom anti-papist oligarchs force to marry Jane to shore up England and the Crown for Protestantism. Machinations abound in whispers and echoing castle footsteps as director Trevor Nunn captures the atmosphere of a divided England just prior to the ascendancy of Elizabeth I. The film may have special appeal for young people who identify with the efforts of Lady Jane and Dudley to right the wrongs of corrupt elders after Jane wears the crown. Patrick Stewart, John Wood, Michael Hordern, Jane Laportaire, and Sara Kestelman support Carter and Elwes with able performances as puppeteers who pull the strings of power.

All Movie Guide - Mike Cummings