Lady Jane (1986)

Director:

Trevor Nunn

Writers:

Chris Bryant (story) and
David Edgar (writer)

Release Date:

7 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

Some of the greatest battles are fought with the heart.

Plot:

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son Edward...

Plot Keywords:

England | Throne | Reformation | Lady Jane Grey | Prison Release

Cast

Helena Bonham Carter	...	Lady Jane Grey
Cary Elwes	...	Guilford Dudley
John Wood	...	John Dudley, Duke of Nothumberland
Michael Hordern	...	Doctor Feckenham
Jill Bennett	...	Mrs. Ellen
Jane Lapotaire	...	Princess Mary
Sara Kestelman	...	Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk
Patrick Stewart	...	Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk
Warren Saire	...	King Edward VI
Joss Ackland	...	Sir John Bridges
Ian Hogg	...	Sir John Gates
Lee Montague	...	Renard, the Spanish Ambassador
Richard Vernon	...	The Marquess of Winchester
David Waller	...	Archbishop Cranmer
Richard Johnson	...	The Earl of Arundel

Runtime:

142 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | West Germany:12 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Broughton Castle, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Capital Equipment Leasing

Trivia:

Thomas Wyatt was the leader of the rebellion, proclaiming her Queen of England. Her father, Henry, was a part of this rebellion.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Although the movie clearly has rewritten history to make a romance, in reality Jane and Guilford never lived in their own home, nor did they ever live as man and wife in the short time they were together; within a month of the marriage Jane was crowned Queen (and refused to crown Guilford King), and 9 days later they were both in prison, lodged in separate towers, and never had contact again.

Quotes:

Guilford: Tell me, did you see his chest
Jane: Yes, it was marked.
Guilford: No it wasn't, it was branded. A mark burnt into him with a red hot iron.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' (2001) (V)

Very memorable

This is one of those movies where after you turn it off, it sticks with you. The acting is exquisite and the whole movie is executed with sensitivity. After watching it, I felt like I had to know more about Lady Jane Grey's real story. The truth, as the history books tell it, isn't quite as pretty or romantic as the movie made it seem, but other than that it is very historically accurate as most period piece movies go. I would strongly recommend this film (10 stars!) and would see it over again.