Customer Reviews

Young Bess [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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

This is an entertaining movie and not a documentary. So, why not show "how it could have happened". This is what makes history interesting and exciting. The story is very well written, the actors are superb. And there is this sparkling chemistry between Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr I miss so badly in modern movies. This is GOOD OLD HOLLYWOOD (even it is mostly british). I hope that in the near future somebody produces a good DVD!! This movie is one of my all time favorites!!

Fictionalized, glamorized, and purified, "Young Bess" is a highly entertaining and lavish production, with a fabulous cast, lovely costuming, and a terrific Miklos Rozsa score. Though far from resembling Elizabeth I, Jean Simmons is exquisite as the strong willed young queen, who has an adoring fascination for the Lord High Admiral Thomas Seymour, and is conflicted by her fondness for her stepmother Catherine Parr, who was to marry Thomas. Thomas in real life was a bit of an ambitious schemer, and a charmer with the ladies, but in this film, as played by a dashing and handsome Stewart Granger, he is portrayed as a romantic character in love with both women.

The cast is remarkable, with Deborah Kerr as Catherine Parr, Charles Laughton as Henry VIII, Guy Rolfe as Protector of the king and villain of the plot, Ned Seymour (brother of Thomas), and Rex Thompson giving a delightful performance as young King Edward VI. The direction by George Sidney is meticulous, and Charles Rocher's cinematography a visual treat. This 16th century period of English history is complex and fascinating, and even this "movie treatment" (based on Margaret Irwin's novel) is riveting.

Simmons and Granger were married at the time of this filming, and have great chemistry together, and with the addition of Deborah Kerr, we have 2 of the most beautiful women who ever graced the screen in the same film. Purists will quibble with the liberties taken with the plot, but anyone else with an appreciation for historical drama will thoroughly enjoy this film.

This is what happens when a film studio and a novelist places history on the big screen. Historical accuracy and truth takes second place when it comes to spinning a yarn. I just hope when kids watch this film, they do not rely on it as facts for their education. The real story itself was intriguing enough without having to bend the truth. So why did they? The reason being that they wanted to make a romance film about Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth (I), and her life while growing up in the Tudor Kingdom.
Anyway, in the film, Elizabeth (I) was madly in love with Thomas Seymour. From historical records, Thomas was supposedly the person who made advances on Elizabeth (I) but was unsuccessful.
In the film, Edward Seymour was portrayed as a callous power hungry puppeteer in the royal court. In history, he was a successful military man when he battled oppositions at Pinkie, Scotland (1547). Edward was also responsible for religious reforms and in relaxing heresy and treason laws. In the film, he sent his brother Thomas to the scaffold because of his paranoia over power struggle threats. In history, the execution of Thomas by the council in 1549 was a significant blow to Edward and it weakened his power in England. The eventual arrest and execution of Edward in 1552 was conspired by John Dudley, Earl of Warwick and Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton to remove Seymour's protectorate power over his nephew, King Edward VI. Edward VI died at the age of 15 in 1553. Dudley induced the council to proclaim his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, as queen after Edward VI's death. Dudley was executed in 1554 by Queen Mary (I) for treason. Of course, there's no way of knowing precisely what really happened in history. But in rationale, a person should not be defamed or condemned (as in the case of Edward Seymour) based on hearsay, idle gossip, a romantic novel, or a chick flick, even if they are dead over a few centuries. In theory, anyhow. I did enjoy this film as pure entertainment. Walter Plunkett's costume design was magnificent and the whole cast was superb. Miklos Rozsa's emotional music score was an incredible soul wrenching delight. Is it worth seeing?
Yes, definitely! It's entertaining, well acted and beautifully produced.

This is one of my all-time favorite MGM costume dramas. The costumes and settings are scrumptious; Jean Simmons in the title role and Deborah Kerr as Katherine Parr are lovely, and Stewart Granger (who I believe might have still been married to Simmons at the time) is his swashbuckling gorgeous self. The story, which is taken from Margaret Irwin's historical novel, is romantic as well as compelling. All this and Charles Laughton as Henry VIII and Elsa Lanchester as Anne of Cleves, not to mention a Miklos Rosza score!!!

I don't give a fig whether this film, which, after all, is not a documentary, is accurate or not. It is absolutely entertaining; and what's more, it inspired me to to take a few thoroughly enlightening graduate university courses in Tudor-Stuart history on my way to getting my PhD in Ancient History.

Historians in the twenty-first century are in no position to be snobbish!

Unlike the recent blood-opera "Elizabeth" where the only thing they tried to do was to copy the famous movie on the massacre in Paris 1572 with Adjani this movie is a nice fantasy and gets one interested in Elizabeth. My passion for the Tudors started here. It was kinda sad to discover that the real Tom Seymour had almost nothing in common with the fascinating character Stewart Granger brought to life but at least this movie doesn't pretend to be "real". It's entertainment!

I own this on VHS and am looking forward to when it's translated to DVD. I enjoy this 1953 film for its sets, costuming, and Technicolor treatment, but I can't say the same for Jean Simmons in the title role. She takes a valiant shot at portraying the temperamental Bess, but she just isn't convincing, maybe because she's too old for the part and she's trying too hard to make the rest of us believe that she isn't. I also don't care for Stewart Granger's performance as Thomas Seymour. It too is unconvincing because Granger plays him as a cheerful, romantic bon vivant while the real Seymour was a swaggering, hot-headed schemer who plotted to seize power from his older brother who was Lord Protector of England during the first half of Edward VI's reign. Rex Thompson, who plays Edward, does a cute job, but the real-life boy king was too precocious and serious to behave like your next-door neighbor's kid. I do enjoy Deborah Kerr as an elegant, dignified Catherine Parr, but Parr in reality was called "Kate" and not "Cathy", and Thomas Seymour viewed her as just as much a stepping-stone in his schemes as he did Bess. Charles Laughton's reprisal of his old Henry VIII role is a delight; I saw him in the title role of "The Private Life of Henry VIII" and very much enjoyed his work.

I watched this film when i was about 7 and my burning desire for History was strong , even stronger than it is now. You know when your flicking through the channels on a Sunday afternoon bored out of your brain, well i came upon this film, it had only just started. I noticed that the little girl playing Elizabeth looked strangely like my sister had done at that age, so watched on. Perhaps being this young i should not of watched on as it was completely unhistorical but at the time was enjoyable. I think i had a slight crush on Granger at the time (if you can have crushes at 7) and wanted to be Elizabeth.
This film fed my imagination and inspired me to learn about the real facts about it.
Since 7 i have watched whenever it comes on Tv (and for any fans in England it's on next Tuesday 16th October 2001).
It's One of Many Favourite films and i simply love it.
BUY IT!