Product Details

• Actors: Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton, Kay Walsh
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: June 30, 1994
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303120482
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,416 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fifties Style of Sixteenth Century England, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Young Bess [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I must recommend it to those who have seen the movie "Elizabeth" and are interested in other movie versions of the Tudor Queen. This little known film is the only movie that focuses only on Elizabeth's life as a princess and, although I do not think Jean Simmons portrays a convincing version of her, I do think that it was entertaining. Perhaps if Elizabeth lived during the 1950's, it would be more convincing. It does have a "1950's" look and appeal.

Do not expect historical accuarcy here, this movie has been overly romanticized. It is about one of the many precarious episodes in Elizabeth's life when she was a princess. This episode was about a teenage Elizabeth's supposed romantic involvment with Captain Thomas Seymour [Stewart Granger]. Captain Seymour was also the husband of the Dowager Queen, Katherine Parr [Deborah Kerr], who was Henry VIII's [Charles Laughton] last wife and widow. Elizabeth went to live with them as an adopted "daughter" so to speak. Seymour flirted with her and entertained aspirations of marrying her since she was the daughter of a king. The Dowager Queen, jealous of his behavior toward her, banished Elizabeth from their home. As for Seymour, he was later executed for treasonable offenses, which included these aspirations. This execution was ordered by Seymour's brother, who ruled England on behalf of his nephew and Elizabeth's young half brother, the "boy king", Edward VI. Don't worry, so far all these relationships sound incestuous, but they're not (read your history). Elizabeth herself was also in serious trouble for this and her life hanged in the balance.

This movie is fun to look at, and Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger are some of the most beautiful people in movie history. However, although it is brief, the pinnacle performance is that of Charles Laughton. He reprises his role as Elizabeth's fathter, King Henry VIII. His earlier depiction of the king in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" is quite famous. At least in this movie, you get to see him in technicolor.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Romantic Vehicle for Simmons and Granger, April 16, 2002

By 

Deborah Earle (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Young Bess [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film, released the week of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, is a highly fictionalized account of the early life of Elizabeth I.
Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger had been married for three years at the time of this film's release. While their union would only last for seven years afterwards, this film proves that it was a very productive union while it hung together.
It begins on the eve of Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, when her governess, Catherine Ashley, played by a discreet and dignified Kaye Walsh, visits the steward, Mr. Parry, played by a booming-voiced and jovial Cecil Kellaway, to inform him that Elizabeth's half-sister, Mary, is dying, begining a long reminiscence about Mrs. Ashley's adventures in raising a royal heir.
Charles Laughton resumes the role he originally had as Henry VIII 20 years earlier in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" in this film, and he was still very much up to the challenge. He is depicted as taking delight in the birth of his daughter with Anne Boleyn, played by a convivial Elaine Stewart, when in reality, it's a well known fact that his feelings about the birth of another girl were very different.
All too soon, Elizabeth's mother is sent to the block for treason, and the red-haired toddler begins the first of many subsequent journeys to exile at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire in Mrs. Ashley's arms.
At about age six, the pouty girl, now played by Noreen Corchran, is returned to court in what becomes a tragi-comic sequence. We only hear the voice of Henry's German-born fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Sometime, thereafter, Elizabeth warms to a third step-mother, her cousin, Catherine Howard, played by a charming Dawn Addams. But Catherine's time as Elizabeth's step-mother is severed by an executioner's axe.
In reality, there was only a year's difference between the end of Henry's fith marriage and the beginning of his sixth. But by that time, embittered little Noreen Corchran grows into embittered big Jean Simmons, who initially refuses to set foot outside her room when summoned to court to meet another step-mother.
Luckily, Henry sends Stewart Granger's booming, authoritative-voiced Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour to persuade her to do otherwise.
Deborah Kerr was well-chosen for the part of Catherine Parr, as she resembles a painting of Henry VIII's last Queen. Her sweet motherly mannerisms appeal to Elizabeth, and despite certain naysayings by her impish half brother, Prince Edward, played by a stately but still boyish Rex Thompson, who, like Jean Simmons, might have dyed his hair red for the part for the sake of authenticity, Elizabeth and the Queen become great friends.
On an outing at sea, the scenario that could have gotten Catherine Parr charged with treason is touched upon, and we are introduced to Tom Seymour's brother Ned, played by a petty and conniving Guy Rolf. In his scene, and the next one in which Henry is on his deathbed, Elizabeth asserts herself in ways that take her distant father aback.
With Mrs. Ashley's guidance, the young princess must steer her way through the political intrigues of the day, and deal with her growing feelings for the Admiral. Sadly, she watches as Tom Seymour and Catherine Parr marry, a union in which she is instrumental in helping cement. Ned Seymour's venomous natures grows rapidly after he usurps the role of the Lord Protector, which ultimately leads to his brother's downfall. Stewart Granger is fun to watch in the role of a doting uncle to the little King.
One accuracy of the film is the inclusion of the page, Barnaby Fitzpatrick, to whom Robert Arthur gives a smitten adolescent nature. Barnaby watches as Elizabeth blossoms, especially the night of a ball hosted for a Danish envoy. The Danske dance was especially delightful.
When Tom can no longer contain his feelings for his young ward, Bess is sent away, and Catherine dies sometime afterwards.
While the film is sympathetic to the romance of the Admiral and the future Queen, by today's standards, Tom Seymour might be deemed a pervert who was worthy of the end to which he came.
However, Elizabeth is offered one final moment of gallantry at her trial. One feels such intensity as well as triumph when she horsewhips the Lord Protector. Watch for Kathleen Byron,who in recent years played Private Ryan's wife, as Ann Seymour.
In the grand style of MGM movies of the 50s, viewers are rewarded with marvelous sets and scenes and beautiful, albeit often re-used costumes, which, like some of the sets, can be seen in other MGM films of the era.
Miklos Roska's score is regal and inspiring, and the overall production of this film, dazzling. If one can overlook historical
inaccuries, this film is ultimately a grand piece of cinema that is still highly entertaining.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite for years, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Young Bess [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I recorded this movie several years ago off of TV and am now looking for a new copy because my video tape is eating through I have watched it so much. While probably not entirely historically accurate (neither is "Elizabeth"), it is very enjoyable to watch. Jean Simmons makes a stunning Elizabeth and I think is very believable as a young woman with the personality and determination to rule a country. This movie is mostly relationship based, not centered on big historical events, but is very enjoyable and one of my all time favorites