Young Bess
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| Young Bess | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster |
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| Directed by | George Sidney |
| Produced by | Sidney Franklin |
| Written by | Jan Lustig Arthur Wimperis Margaret Irwin (novel) |
| Starring | Jean Simmons Stewart Granger Deborah Kerr Charles Laughton |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
| Cinematography | Charles Rosher |
| Editing by | Ralph E. Winters |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date(s) |  21 May 1953 |
| Running time | 112 min |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Young Bess is a 1953 biographical film made by MGM about the early career of Queen Elizabeth I of England, focusing primarily on her romance with Thomas Seymour, uncle of King Edward VI.
The film was directed by George Sidney and produced by Sidney Franklin, from a screenplay by Jan Lustig and Arthur Wimperis based on the novel by Margaret Irwin.
Jean Simmons stars as Princess Elizabeth, Stewart Granger is Thomas Seymour, Deborah Kerr plays Catherine Parr, Charles Laughton is Henry VIII, Guy Rolfe plays Protector Somerset, Kathleen Byron plays the Duchess of Somerset, Rex Thompson plays Edward VI, Elaine Stewart plays Anne Boleyn, Dawn Addams plays Catherine Howard, Lumsden Hare plays Archbishop Cranmer, and Lester Matthews plays Sir William Paget.
[edit] Plot
The film follows the life of Elizabeth the First, dealing firstly with the distant relationship she has with her father, and later with the love she feels for Thomas Seymour.
Seymour, played by Stewart Granger, is clearly very fond of Bess, however his marriage to Katherine prevents a relationship forming. Thomas' brother Ned, a royal advisor and ruler until Bess' younger brother Edward is old enough to become king, also stands in the way of their relationship.
Simmons gives a remarkable performance, particularly in the latter scenes of the film. Standing before the court room, she passionatly argues for the release of Thomas from the tower. Though unsuccessful, Elizabeth demonstrates her strength, courage and her undying love for Tom. She shows Bess' transistion from girl, to woman, to queen, exceptionally well.
[edit] External links
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