Uncharacteristically lavish Gainsborough melodrama that established Robert Stevenson as belonging among the forefront 0f British directors. With impressive production values and costumes, this is a splendidly performed glimpse at simplified English history. Stevenson is by no means a flamboyant director, but he creates a succession of visually eloquent images, but the film’s real strength lies in its articulation of the poignant contrast between vulnerable humanity and political expediency that carry the film’s theme.
The opening sequence focuses on the deathbed of Henry VIII, the dying King starts up to ask, with well-founded suspicions of the deviant watchers, “What are those shadows?’, before announcing the succession to the throne: “Edward the Prince, my son, then my daughter Mary and her heirs, then Elizabeth and her heirs and, failing them, my sister’s child Jane Grey.” He dies, laying his curse on `any that should betray these children’. Those around him adhere to his wishes but quickly scheme to outdo each other.
The drama of the rest of the film lies in precisely such betrayal, first of Edward, at the hands of his two conniving uncles, Edward Seymour `The Fox’ and Thomas Seymour `The Peacock’. They are characterised thus by another power-broking watcher, Warwick who, despite his disclaimer that `I am no politician, I am a plain soldier’, is largely responsible for the bypassing of Mary and Elizabeth and thereby bringing Jane Grey to the throne. It is Warwick who insists that Jane’s life be wrenched out of its natural course. When Jane protests that she does not wish to be Queen, she is silenced with, `It is not only your right but your sacred duty’. She will accept the role for duty’s sake, and on the understanding that there will be no more bloodshed. —Britmovie.co.uk
Director Robert (Bob) Stevenson’s unusual knack for blending fantasy with credibility made anything seem possible in Disney live-action motion pictures from flying Volkswagens to levitating nannies, leprechauns to flubber. During the 1960s, the unpretentious craftsman directed nearly all of Disney’s successful films, including the Academy Award-winning “Mary Poppins” in 1964.
The believable fantasy elements found in many of his motion pictures have been a source of inspiration for other filmmakers, as well. Stanley Kubrick was said to have seen “Mary Poppins” three times while prepping “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Bob once explained the secret of his success, “When I’m directing a picture, what I have in mind is a happy audience, enjoying it in a movie house.”
Former Disney Producer and fellow Legend Bill Walsh credited the director’s keen sense of vision and attention to detail. He once said, “With Bob, you were always sure when the film finished that you had everything… read more