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Lady Jane

Lady Jane

Drama · Romance · History · 1986

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son, Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love, but they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.

Movie details

Lady Jane

“Some of the greatest battles are fought with the heart.”

1986 Drama · Romance · History 2h 22m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son, Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love, but they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Lady Jane?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Trevor Nunn

Written by

Chris Bryant · David Edgar

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter

Lady Jane Grey

Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes

Guilford Dudley

John Wood

John Wood

John Dudley, Duke of Nothumberland

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart

Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk

Joss Ackland

Joss Ackland

Sir John Bridges

Michael Hordern

Michael Hordern

Dr. Feckenham

Jane Lapotaire

Jane Lapotaire

Princess Mary

Court is in session

Put Lady Jane on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.