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Lady Jane | Year: 1986 Classification: Drama Directed: - Trevor Nunn Actors/Actresses: - Helena Bonham Carter - Cary Elwes A bookish teenage girl's dream I too was a teenager when I first saw this movie, at the time I was really starting to fall in love with the Renaissance. (I ultimately studied Renaissance lit in college, and maybe this movie had a little bit to do with that!) At my young age, I was of course drawn to the romantic part of the story--I was hopelessly enchanted with Cary Elwes, and I'm sure the blossoming romance between Guildford and Jane caused me a great many sighs. Okay, so it is a little fairy-taleish and not exactly true to history (I once read that it is uncertain whether or not their marriage was ever consummated) but it was awfully fun to watch. Now that I'm older, however, I've noticed some other things that interest me more than the love story, like the political machinations of Northumberland and Jane's parents, and the stark portrayal of the treatment of women in that time period. Jane was vitally important to the plans of her parents, and yet they beat her nearly senseless for refusing to marry Guildford Dudley. Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes are very believable in their roles--Jane seems otherworldly and disconnected from her feelings due to her obsession with learning; Guildford is a handsome rake who does actually have deep thoughts and ideas about things, contrary to what Jane thinks at first. Both roles were excellently played. Tudor England ... Not A Boring Era Helena Bonham Carter stars as the young girl who for nine days was Queen of England. Lady Jane Grey was Henry VIII's niece and a staunch Protestant. Through political machinations, the dying King Edward (a teenager) makes his cousin Jane his successor, not the legitimate choice, his very Catholic sister Mary. Jane is forced into an arranged marriage to facilitate the move and soon finds herself on a throne she never wanted. Her husband gives her much support, and the two decide to make changes that will benefit the long suffering common man. But Mary will not be denied her throne (and neither will her husband, the Spanish king). Queen Jane is removed and condemned to death, quite a common fate back then. The acting is tops, with Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes as her husband delivering excellent performances, surrounded by a cast of pros. The sets, costumes, and other period details are terrific as well. I wasn't expecting to see a romance film, which is what this movie develops into. It's not very accurate, although the actors have a great chemistry and make it work. I was expecting to see more of the political behind-the-scenes treachery, since the story of Lady Jane is rooted in religious conflict and personal ambition. The politics of Tudor England are fascinating, and this film certainly deals with the political and religious climate, but I would like to have seen more. Nonetheless, the film is well made and serves as a solid introduction to that critical time in English history. A historical tragedy turned into more of a fictional romance One of the most interesting instances of genetic and gender in the history of Western Civilization is found with the death of King Edward VI of England at the age of 15 in 1553. Too young to leave heirs, his older half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth Tudor were both considered illegitimate because of the martial history of their father Henry VIII. Going through the Tudor family the only other potential claimants, Mary of Scotland and Lady Jane Grey, were also female. It seemed that God that determined that a woman would sit on the throne of England and the political question was who that woman would be. The one with the best claim was Mary Tudor, but she was a devout Catholic and the creation of the Anglican Church had created a religious schism in England that would turn ugly with her on the throne. Lady Jane first became connected with the English crown as a potential mate for young Edward, who was more interested in Mary of Scotland or another foreign princess. Jane was supposedly betrothed to the duke of Somerset's son, a>DVD Buy Lady Jane at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Lady Jane Search with the Priority Search Engine on Lady Jane This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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