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Gunpowder, Treason & Plot

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2004
  • 15
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Robert Carlyle and Clémence Poésy in Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004)
Period DramaDramaHistory

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 Gunpow... Read allMini 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.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.

  • Stars
    • Carmen Ungureanu
    • Vulpe Adrian
    • Clémence Poésy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Carmen Ungureanu
      • Vulpe Adrian
      • Clémence Poésy
    • 17User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins total

    Episodes2

    Browse episodes
    1 season2004

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    Top cast48

    Edit
    Carmen Ungureanu
    • Mary of Guise
    Vulpe Adrian
    • Soldier
    Clémence Poésy
    Clémence Poésy
    • Mary, Queen of Scots
    Tadeusz Pasternak
    • David Riccio
    Maria Popistasu
    Maria Popistasu
    • Lady Marie
    Catherine McCormack
    Catherine McCormack
    • Queen Elizabeth I
    Steven Duffy
    • Lord James
    Catalin Babliuc
    • Father Michael
    Kevin McKidd
    Kevin McKidd
    • Bothwell
    Emil Hostina
    Emil Hostina
    • Bothwell's Lieutenant
    Daniela Nardini
    Daniela Nardini
    • Lady Huntly
    Radu Andrei Micu
    Radu Andrei Micu
    • Sir John Huntly
    Iona Ruxandra Bratosin
    • Young Mary
    Gary Lewis
    Gary Lewis
    • John Knox
    Garry Sweeney
    Garry Sweeney
    • Lord Gunn
    Michael Nardone
    Michael Nardone
    • Lord Ruthven
    Paul Nicholls
    Paul Nicholls
    • Lord Darnley
    Adrian Stefan
    • Taylor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.02K
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    Featured reviews

    djj-2

    Honest and Compelling Human Drama

    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.
    10Mad Dog McLagan

    The Harlem Globe-Trotters of Drama

    As soon as I saw the text "Written by Jimmy McGovern" flash up on the promos, I knew that this would be something special. Having watched the first season of McGovern's "Cracker" I knew that this would be history with true grit, venomous dialogue, and buckets of conflict. I wasn't disappointed.

    Judging by the other comments some people found McGovern's style too harsh, that he belittles the both Royal family and the Protestant and Catholic branches of church, and overuses sex and violence. It's a fair criticism, but so many over-starched interpretations of British history have been made that this gritty drama becomes a breath of fresh air.

    The show is evenly divided into two parts, both riveting stories. The first is the reign of Queen Mary I of Scotland, a French Catholic girl now ruling over Protestant Scotland. Clemence Poesy turns in a brilliant performance as the young queen faced with her conniving half-brother Lord James, Queen Elizabeth I of England, her misogynistic husband Lord Darnley, and her brash suitor the Lord Bothwell. The whole story is turbulent, as a state of war with the English gradually precipitates.

    The second part is much higher drama, though. It is concerned with Mary's son James I, a repugnant, bitter cripple, who promises the Catholics tolerance, and then reneges on his promise at the behest of the manipulative Lord Cecil, one of the most powerful men in England. This proves the catalyst for the famous attempted bombing of the houses of parliament on November 5, lead by the ruthless Spaniard Guy Fawkes.

    It is true that McGovern revolves the entire show about the us-and-them viewpoint of the Catholic and Protestant, BUT this works to great effect. Emphasising the conflict in this war really ups the ante for the drama, making for some very high-octane television. Add to this brilliant performances by Robert Carlyle, Tim McInnerny, Kevin McKidd, Sam Troughton, and Michael Fassbender (Playing Guy Fawkes as a silent Clint Eastwood type delightfully)

    This is, without a doubt, the greatest telemovie I've ever seen. However, if you're at all squeamish this definitely isn't for you: this is history with the filthy bits left in for a change...
    7THEGHOSTSWHOSSTILLWALKTHEEARTH

    GuY fawkes

    I found This show Very entertaining, both episodes kept my attention. I liked How James VI Scotland was portrayed in this, as he wasn't a very pleasant man. Anne of Denmark was quite an interesting character in this. Guy Fawkes character at times can sometimes over shadow the man behind November 5th Robert Catesby. Maybe Catesby night would not of seemed to have the same ring to it if used, who knows.
    MsKris

    Wasted promise

    You'd think that combining a good director, excellent actors and fascinating

    historical events would make for an entertaining miniseries -- but you'd be

    wrong. The writing stank, the history was worse than inaccurate, and I can

    barely believe excellent actors such as McKidd and Carlyle were able to deliver some of their lines with a straight face. Historical inaccuracies aside, the story itself was delivered so disjointedly it was downright choppy -- almost as if an entirely different director and writer made each half. Skip this one.
    6ma-cortes

    Evocative and glamorous historical about Mary of Scotland, Elizabeth I and James I.

    Mini series made up of two stories: 1ª : depicting the bloody and turbulent reigns of Scottish monarchs Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England; 2ª King James VI of Scotland , Mary Stuart's son, who became King James I of England and foiled the Gunpowder Plot led by Guy Fawkes.

    Notable historical biopic about Mary Stuart and her confrontation with Elizabeth Tudor and other enemies. A decent and intelligent biography, lavishly produced by BBC and well directed by Gillies MacKinnon, although they are somewhat inappropriate when some roles speak to the camera. The cast was convincingly led by Clémence Poésy as the condemned Mary, Queen of Scots and Catherine McCormack as the cunning, Elizabeth I, as well as Robert Carlyle as the ruthlessly ambitious king James VI of Scotland and I of England.

    Adding gorgeous costume design, stunning settings and production design. This turns out to be a typical British historical drama in which Clémence Poésy in the lead role and Catherine McCormack as her contender are finely cast. The excellent and large cast with prestigious British actors performing quite well through at an evocative historical set. The riots, loves and power struggles of his time are splendidly recreated here, including the most troubled days and the machinations that surrounded them.

    The plot summary of the series made up of two parts in approximately 100 minutes each is the following: 1ª After the death of her husband Francis II of France in 1560, Mary, Queen of Scots (Clémence Poésy), is invited by the Queen Mother Catherine De Medici to leave the country and so it comes back to the homeland, her natal Scotland. As in neighboring England, many members of the nobility have embraced the Protestant faith. Additionally, the Catholic Mary has to deal with her Protestant and illegitimate half-brother James Stewart (Steven Duffy), Lord Moray's ruling ambition. Fearing that Mary has ambitions for the throne of England, Elizabeth I of England decides to weaken her claim by sending her favorite, the ambitious Robert Dudley , to court and marry Mary. Elizabeth also sends the young and pampered Lord Darnley (Paul Nicholls), from a powerful Catholic family. Tempted by the handsome Darnley, Mary impulsively chooses him to marry. Moray opposes the marriage, but Mary ignores him. But later on, May falls in love for Bothwell (Kevin McKidd), while the anger of the Protestant priest John Knox (Gary Lewis) increases.

    2º-James (Robert Carlyle) was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a great-great-grandson of Henry VII, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and thus a potential successor to all three thrones. He acceded to the Scottish throne at the age of thirteen months, after his mother was forced to abdicate in his favour. Four regents governed during his minority, which ended officially in 1578, though he did not gain full control of his government until 1583. King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Although he long tried to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union. In 1589, he married Anne of Denmark. Three of their children survived to adulthood: Henry Frederick, Elizabeth, and Charles. In 1603, James succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch of England and Ireland, who died childless. He continued to reign in all three kingdoms for 22 years, a period known as the Jacobean era, until his death in 1625. After the Union of the Crowns, he based himself in England from 1603, returning to Scotland only once, in 1617, and styled himself "King of Great Britain and Ireland". He advocated for a single parliament for England and Scotland. In his reign, supported by adviser Sir Cecil (Tim McInnerny), the Plantation of Ulster and English colonisation of the Americas began. At 57 years James's reign in Scotland was the longest of any Scottish monarch. He achieved most of his aims in Scotland but faced great difficulties in England, including the Gunpowder Plot (1605) in which conspiracy took place whereby rebels led by Guy Fawkes (Michael Fassbender), Catesby (Richard Coyle) attempted to blow up the English Parliament.

    This interesting historical drama contains evocative cinematography that adds color to the atmosphere, as well as sensitive and attractive musical score, being efficiently directed. Other films that deal with these famous Queens are the following: ¨Mary of Scotland¨1936 by John Ford with Katharine Hepburn, Fredric March. ¨Elizabeth¨ (1998) by Shekar Kapur with Cate Blanchet, Joseph Fiennes. "Mary Queen of Scots" (2018) with Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Adrian Lester, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Gemma Chan. And TV series like ¨Elizabeth R¨ (1971) by Herbert Wise with Glenda Jackson. "Elizabeth I" Series (2005) by Tom Hooper with Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Dancy, Toby Jones. And "Reinas" or "Queens" (2016-2017) with Olivia Chenery, Rebecca Scott.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The title is taken from the nursery rhyme about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. Many versions of the rhyme exist, and its origins are unclear. But most begin with these lines: "Remember, remember / the fifth of November / the Gunpowder Treason and Plot. / I know of no reason / why the Gunpowder Treason / should ever be forgot."
    • Goofs
      At the beginning Mary is depicted as a young, unmarried girl who had spent 13 years in exile in France. Actually, she was a widow. She had been married to the French king who had died very young.
    • Quotes

      Bothwell: Forgive me.

      Mary, Queen of Scots: How's your head?

      Bothwell: Sore.

      Mary, Queen of Scots: I could remove it for you.

      Bothwell: Well, that would do the trick, aye.

      Mary, Queen of Scots: You caused Lord Darnley great offense, you called Lord Darnley a long streak of English piss!

      Bothwell: Then I must apologize.

      Lord Darnley: I thank you.

      Bothwell: 'Twas English *pish*.

      Lord Darnley: [pause] Banishment, I think.

      Bothwell: Anywhere but France.

    • Connections
      Featured in Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of Television in Scotland: Swashbuckled (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Ziz-O Mama Cata Mine
      By Grigore Lese

      Performed by Grigore Lese

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 14, 2004 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
      • Press Pack from the BBC Press Office
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Conspiración, traición y muerte
    • Filming locations
      • Romania
    • Production companies
      • Raging Star Films
      • Box TV
      • Power
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1

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