Kick-Back Friday: #47

Before Cate Blanchett or Helen Mirren drew on the role of Elizabeth I (like it was a freaking annuity), the Virgin Queen was reliably portrayed by Glenda Jackson. Following the 6-part mini-series "Elizabeth R" in 1971, Jackson almost immediately repeated her performance in Mary, Queen of Scots. However, most of the screen time in this film belongs to a dewy Vanessa Redgrave, as the very Catholic Mary Stuart and rival for England's throne.

There are some artistic liberties taken with the story of the royal conflict between the cousins, so don't let teenagers use the movie as a historic reference. But do point out actors, including Redgrave,* that they'll recognize from more recent films—like Timothy Dalton (aka Simon Skinner in Hot Fuzz) as Lord Darnley or Ian Holm (aka Bilbo Baggins) as David Riccio.

* For instance, kids, Redgrave was the old Briony in Atonement. Aha.

01/15/09 update

: Kids won't know him, but the rest of us raised by 60s television will recognize Patrick McGoohan, aka Number 6, as Mary's half-brother, James Stuart. According to CBS news, McGoohan died Tuesday at the age of 80, after a "short illness." In memorium and as a remedy for the current deep freeze, cocoon with McGoohan's you're-so-messin'-with-my-mind-man "The Prisoner" on DVD.