Mary, Queen of Scots Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "Mary, Queen of Scots" boasts a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition presentation in the original 2.35:1 Panavision aspect ratio. A high bit-rate encode ensures a generally clean scan, free from distracting scratches or print damage. However, the resulting image, while faithful to the source material, may leave some viewers yearning for more vibrantly rendered colors and dynamic contrasts. The somewhat muted tones across the film's cinematography could potentially benefit from a 4K remastering to deliver a more visually compelling experience.

The transfer succeeds in replicating the film's natural color palette and textures, providing a reliable and respectable visual representation. Lush colors, warm textures, and excellent contrast characterize most scenes, with only minor inconsistencies, such as slightly inconsistent grain during the opening credits. Although minor dust specks are fleetingly present, they do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. The transfer has largely succeeded in translating the film's aesthetic to Blu-ray, though it stops short of perfection. Divided into 10 chapters, this presentation allows for convenient navigation and an enhanced viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Mary, Queen of Scots" offers a DTS HD Master Audio mono track, ensuring dialogue is sufficiently crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The mix fits the material well, avoiding overly sharp or harsh tones. While the audio occasionally lacks depth, resulting in a rather flat soundstage, the overall experience remains free from egregious hiss, crackle, and age-related wear. Optional English subtitles are provided for better comprehension.

In addition, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound mix stands out as highly appealing despite slightly muted fidelity. The dialogue is excellently recorded and beautifully reproduced, blending seamlessly with John Barry’s Oscar-nominated score and the accompanying sound effects. The mix is confidently balanced, and there are no issues with age-related artifacts such as hiss, crackle, flutter, or pops. This meticulous attention to audio quality enhances the viewing experience substantially.

The Blu-ray release of "Mary, Queen of Scots" offers an engaging set of extras that add considerable value to the viewing experience. The Audio Commentary by film historian Sergio Mims, while informative, delivers insights in a somewhat erratic manner with occasional mispronunciations and mixed details. Conversely, the Isolated Music-Only Audio Track featuring film historians Nick Redman and Jon Burlingame includes a thorough analysis of John Barry's musical contributions presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono, enriched with interludes covering his broader career and contextual observations on the film. Additionally, the disc includes the Theatrical Trailer and a selection of trailers for other Kino Lorber releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Sergio Mims discusses various aspects of the film, albeit in a scattered fashion.
• Isolated Music-Only Audio Track: Analysis by Nick Redman and Jon Burlingame on John Barry's score.
• Theatrical Trailer: Preview clip of "Mary, Queen of Scots."
• Kino Trailers: Trailers for "The Lion in Winter" and "Isadora."

"Mary, Queen of Scots," directed by Charles Jarrott, explores the tempestuous rivalry and intersecting lives of Queen Mary (Vanessa Redgrave) and Queen Elizabeth I (Glenda Jackson). This historical drama produced by Hal B. Wallis takes some liberties with historical accuracy, but it is remembered for the enthralling performances of its two leads. Redgrave and Jackson imbue their roles with gravitas and depth, capturing the complex nature of their characters. The supporting cast, including Timothy Dalton as Henry, Lord Darnley, and Ian Holm as David Riccio, also provide strong performances, adding layers to this portrayal of 16th-century geopolitical intrigue.

The production design by Terence Marsh and art direction by Robert Cartwright offer a compelling visual style, complemented by Margaret Furse's period-appropriate costumes. However, despite these visual strengths, Christopher Challis's cinematography is less impressive, lacking the expected richness for a period drama. The screenplay by John Hale is another point of contention; while it effectively juxtaposes the political maneuvering of Elizabeth with the impulsive decisions of Mary, it often deviates from historical facts and falters in dialogue, requiring viewers to have some prior knowledge of Tudor England to fully grasp the narrative.

Charles Jarrott's direction balances intimate character moments with the grand pageantry of the era. However, some may find the film underpowered compared to other English historical epics. The editing by Richard Marden further hampers the pacing, making the film appear overly long and occasionally unfocused. Despite its flaws, "Mary, Queen of Scots" offers captivating moments, particularly in its dramatized face-offs between Mary and Elizabeth. The score by John Barry enhances these moments, leaving a memorable impression in what is ultimately a mixed-bag but still an engaging cinematic experience.

Charles Jarrott’s "Mary, Queen of Scots" is a historical epic that delves deeply into the 16th-century power struggles between Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor, driven by compelling performances from Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson. The film's historical emphasis is accentuated by tasteful production values that capture the era’s essence. However, despite these strengths, the screenplay lacks the vitality necessary to fully engage the audience, making the film occasionally feel overlong.

Blu-ray enthusiasts will find Kino’s offering reasonably satisfactory, featuring a decent video and audio presentation that serves to enhance the film's visual and auditory experience. The included extras elevate the viewing experience for fans of the historical drama genre, providing additional layers to appreciate the intricate performances and meticulous production details.

In conclusion, "Mary, Queen of Scots" is far from perfect, yet commendable for its strong acting and well-executed historical representation. While it may not completely captivate those seeking a more dynamic narrative, it remains a noteworthy production for historical drama aficionados.