Mrs Brown (1997)

Director:

John Madden

Writer:

Jeremy Brock (writer)

Release Date:

18 July 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

Queen Victoria, the world's most powerful woman. John Brown, a simple Scottish Highlander. Their extraordinary friendship transformed an empire.

Plot:

Queen Victoria is deeply depressed after the death of her husband, disappearing from public. Her servant Brown...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Servant | Loss Of Husband | 1880s | Prime Minister

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Judi Dench	...	Queen Victoria
Billy Connolly	...	John Brown
Geoffrey Palmer	...	Henry Ponsonby
Antony Sher	...	Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli
Gerard Butler	...	Archie Brown
Richard Pasco	...	Doctor Jenner
David Westhead	...	Prince of Wales (Bertie)
Bridget McConnell	...	Lady Ely
Georgie Glen	...	Lady Churchill
Catherine O'Donnell	...	Lady-in-Waiting
Sara Stewart	...	Princess Alexandra
Finty Williams	...	Princess Helena
Claire Nicolson	...	Princess Louise
Hattie Ladbury	...	Princess Alice
Oliver Kent	...	Prince Alfred

Also Known As:

Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown (USA)
Mrs Brown (USA)

MPAA:

Rated PG for a beating, language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK | Ireland | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardverikie estate, Highland, Scotland, UK

Company:

BBC Scotland

Trivia:

During filming, Gerard Butler saved a young boy from drowning in the river Tay and received a "Certificate Of Bravery" from The Royal Humane Society.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In one scene, a reference is made to Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin was not formed until 1905, four years after Victoria died.

Quotes:

Queen Victoria: [to Prime Minister Disraeli] How dare the Irish break with the Anglicans? If Albert were alive today he would never allow the Crown to give up Church patronage. No, the Irish must be told, very firmly, to stay exactly where they are. It is the thin edge of the wedge, Mr Disraeli. Next, you will be telling me that the Crown no longer governs this nation.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Academy of Robots' Choice Awards Special (1998) (TV)

A masterful, touching, gentle piece of history

Absolutely brilliant film. No question, we all seem to agree that Dench deserved the Oscar (ok, Hunt was cute in AGAIG but a long way from 'Best'), Connolly is surprisingly good in this very dramatic role (I'm not exactly a huge fan of his comedic work), and Sher was very clever as Disraeli. All in all, a sterling performance by a wonderful cast. But this movie is just a little bit more that just great acting, it is also a moving story of the burdens of office, the mores of Victorian society, the anguish of the death of a loved one, and the blessing of true friendship. This is a very good movie. Don't expect sex, violence or swearing, but if you're looking for a quality film, this could be for you. 8/10