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IMDb > Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004) (TV)

Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   517 votes
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Director:
Gillies MacKinnon
Writer:
Jimmy McGovern (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Gunpowder, Treason & Plot on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 March 2004 (UK) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
Mini series depicting the turbulent and bloody reigns of Scottish monarchs Mary, Queen of Scots and her son King James VI of Scotland who became King James I of England and foiled the Gunpowder Plot. | add synopsis
Awards:
4 wins more
User Comments:
Honest and Compelling Human Drama more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Vulpe Adrian ... Soldier
Carmen Ungureanu ... Mary of Guise
Clémence Poésy ... Mary, Queen of Scots
Tadeusz Pasternak ... David Riccio
Maria Popistasu ... Lady Marie

Catherine McCormack ... Queen Elizabeth I

Steven Duffy ... Lord James
Catalin Babliuc ... Father Michael

Kevin McKidd ... Bothwell
Emil Hostina ... Bothwell's Lieutenant

Daniela Nardini ... Lady Huntly
Radu Andrei Micu ... Sir John Huntly
Iona Ruxandra Bratosin ... Young Mary
Gary Lewis ... John Knox
Garry Sweeney ... Lord Gunn
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Additional Details

Runtime:
205 min (3 parts)
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
Australia:M | UK:15
Filming Locations:
Bucharest, Romania more

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Bothwell: They know it was me. You must hang me, Mary.
Mary, Queen of Scots: What?
Bothwell: If you do not hang me, people will say we planned it together.
Mary, Queen of Scots: I cannot
Bothwell: You must Mary, for they will hang me anyway, they will hang me anyway!
Mary, Queen of Scots: I cannot!
Bothwell: Then you must marry me, for they will not hang the queen's husband.
[pause]
Bothwell: Marry me or hang me.
Mary, Queen of Scots: I'll marry you, I'll marry you.
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Soundtrack:
Now is the Month of Maying more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 14 people found the following comment useful:-
Honest and Compelling Human Drama, 16 March 2004
Author: djj-2 (djjohn@essex.ac.uk) from Colchester, England

After viewing the first two episodes (shown together on the UK terrestrial channel BBC 2), I wanted to recommend the series.

The title brings to mind "Guy Fawlkes", but the mini-series is actually the story of Mary, Queen of Scots - a tale which is amongst the most dramatic in the whole of Scottish history.

Given that all Scottish school children study this period in great detail (myself included!), the responsibility of all concerned is high.

It was with great delight that I found the series an honest and compelling human drama, and the (historically known) actions of the characters made perfect sense in the light of the characterisations and script.

I was concerned that the whole affair would be dragged down by either the weight of historical authenticity or the need to create a drama for modern sensibilities.

The historical ambiguities in the character of Mary were perfectly realised as drama: the transition from a French childhood to become a champion of the Scottish cause was credible. Her involvement in political assassinations was cleverly presented as "for the good of Scotland" rather than as cold-hearted scheming. So in this drama Mary is a heroine, though historians will argue endlessly on this one. My recall of school history is not good enough to know where liberties have been taken with historical fact.

Some flaws were present - the character of David Rizzio was not fleshed out sufficiently. The feel of the production could be criticised a little as a McGovern "housing estate drama" in costume e.g. the simple-minded Protestant/Catholic vein pervading the production. However, as the drama really gets going through the romance between Mary and her "bit of Scottish rough" (Lord Bothwell), perhaps one should acknowledge the universality of the human condition.

This is not an "Elizabeth" which re-wrote the book for cinematic historical realisations. However, "Gunpowder, Treason and Plot" is a likable and worthy production, which may not be absolutely top notch, but does seem a little tucked away on BBC 2 on a Sunday evening, when it deserves wider viewing.

I await the remaining episodes with interest.



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I want you naked in ma bed! b_imdb-199
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