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Helena Bonham Carter, Cary Elwes, John Wood, Michael Hordern, Jill Bennett II ... see more see more... , Jane Lapotaire , Sara Kestelman , Patrick Stewart , Warren Saire , Joss Ackland , Ian Hogg , Lee Montague , Richard Vernon , David Waller , Richard Johnson , Pip Torrens , Guy Henry , Andrew Bicknell , John Abbott , Adele Anderson , Zelah Clarke , Anna Gilbert , Michael Goldie , Matthew Guinness , Stewart Harwood , Carole Hayman , Janet Henfrey , Clyde Pollitt , Gabor Vernon , Philip Voss , Richard Moore , Denyse Alexander , Krzysia Bialeska , Laura Clipsham , Nicky Croydon , Jeanette Fox , Cryss Jean Healey , Eliza Kern , Philippa Luce , Robin Martin Oliver , Brian Poyser , Robert Putt , Alison Woodgate , William Morgan Sheppard

Lady Jane Grey, the 16-year-old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England, is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter. Lady Jane Grey's sickly cousin, who becomes Edward VI upon t... read more read more...he death of Henry VIII, is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers-that-be, fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule, contrive to marry off Edward VI's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley (Cary Elwes), the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne, attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane's cousin Princess Mary (Jane Lapotaire) results in the ouster, and eventual execution, of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti-establishment themes; teen-agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future, making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story, Tudor Rose, was filmed in 1936. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

76% liked it

5,827 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

7 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: Trevor Nunn

Release Date: January 1, 1986

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DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003

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Stats: 324 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (324)

  • itsjustme2004
    October 14, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Superb! The history of the English Royals has never ceased to amaze me. The people that were closest to them, and were supposed to be there to support and protect them, were nothing but opportunists. This is the story of how they used two poor young people to get their way. Jane ... read moreGrey and Guilford Dudley were forced into a marriage, and then used to obtain the throne of England. It was never their choice, and it was totally against their wishes. They were nothing but pawns. Unfortunately, when all went wrong in a very short time, they paid for it with their lives. This has to be one of the most tragic stories that came out of that era, and this movie really did a wonderful job telling it..even if they embellished a little with the romance stuff. If that was true or not, I dont know. But it made me enjoy it even more.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    July 2, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    I so rarely cry, but leave it to Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes to do it. Dumb sweet, young romance. Henry the VIII and his aftermath is one of the most fascinating times in history to me, so I loved it in that sense, even if this wasn't all entirely true. Hey, it's Hollywoo... read mored. But I still loved the story and the lesson. And I do love period piece. I loved the costumes, the acting, the story, the casting, everything. Even the stony end with Queen Mary.
  • jjnxn
    March 30, 2010
    jjnxn
    Good drama of a sad chapter in England's history, the using of Lady Jane Grey as a political prawn and the calamities that result. It's romantized of course but still well acted and directed.
  • bookmunki
    March 10, 2009
    bookmunki
    nice period piece on young, idealistic love and social reform combined with a couple of beheadings.
  • weelee18
    December 30, 2008
    weelee18
    Good movie..
  • ileo
    December 27, 2007
    ileo
    An interesting movie.
  • Greenfeary2010
    September 4, 2010
    Greenfeary2010
    Lovely historically inaccurate retelling of the story of the "Nine Day's Queen", Lady Jane Grey. It is romantic and beautiful for a movie from the 80's.
  • Sheiob
    February 27, 2009
    Sheiob
    Although the story went a little overboard with the relationship between Jane and Gilford, and the soundtrack was overbearing, I found this a very interesting historical drama. It's not an amazing production, but the writers managed to make one of the most confusing periods of En... read moreglish history a little easier to follow. Carter and Elwes also deliver stellar performances, which illuminate the historical figures as real people.
  • Comicgirl101
    August 20, 2008
    Comicgirl101
    I really adored the preformances given by the main actors in this movie and I think the only thing I would change would be the nude sceans - because yes, they were married, but no, I didn't need to see all that carried into the fantastic dieolg. Really a fantastic movie that I'd ... read moresee agian.
  • babydoll1334
    August 18, 2008
    babydoll1334
    I love Helena Bonham-Carter, Carey Elwes, costume dramas/historical based films so of course I loved this movie. Keep in mind though, it is only *based* on true history, it has been romanticized and is not actually historically accurate.

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Critic Reviews

Christopher Null
February 12, 2003
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Staid and off-center. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
September 1, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

About the short life of an English scholar, reformer, and religious martyr. Full Review

February 22, 2008
Hollywood Reporter

No review available.

February 14, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 20, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Andy Klein
March 5, 2005
Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat

No review available.

Rebecca Murray
October 28, 2004
Rebecca Murray, About.com

No review available.

Jeffrey Westhoff
August 9, 2002
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Lady Jane Trivia

  • Name the movie starring Helena Bonham-Carter in which she plays the role of a Queen who is sentenced to death.  Answer »
  • Helena Bonham Carter starred in 1986 as which Queen who ruled for only 9 days?  Answer »
  • Trevor Nunn directed Patrick Strewart, Helena Bonham Carter, Cary Elwes, and John Wood in this 1986 film.  Answer »
  • Trevor Nunn directed Helena Bonham Carter in which two films?  Answer »
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