This is a superb portrayal of the troubled late 16th century Scottish Queen from Vanessa Redgrave. Forced to return to an unwelcoming Scotland following the death of her French husband, Catholic Mary arrives to barely disguised hostility from her largely Protestant subjects. Added to her problems, her cousin Elizabeth (Glenda Jackson) is making things difficult for her from south of their border. The story is well known, but the two ladies' performances demonstrate both the flaws and the strengths of each, well. Trevor Howard is great as the manipulative Burghley; as are Timothy Dalton as Mary'... read the rest.