Mrs Brown
Mrs Brown
| 18 July 1997 (USA)
Mrs Brown Trailers

When Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert dies, she finds solace in her trusted servant, Mr. John Brown. But their relationship also brings scandal and turmoil to the monarchy.

Reviews
Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.
Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good
Blaironit Excellent film with a gripping story!
Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.
Sissy Chou Judi Dench and Billy Connolly are great in this movie. Judi Dench is always great! She deserved an Oscar for this. It was nominated, and it was one of the finest performances of all time.If you are expecting this film to be a romance than skip it. It's about the extraordinary man with the ordinary name of John Brown who brought a Queen out of mourning, and how their relationship leads to scandal in Britain.I found watching Young Victoria before Mrs. Brown to be useful and insightful into the eyes of Queen Victoria and her love for Albert. There is no character actually named Mrs. Brown in 'Mrs. Brown,' and was sad what happens to John at the end, but it was an awesome movie.
Jeff Hendrix The movie is Master Class. Judi Dench conveys more emotion and anguish with one look than most actors do in their entire career. Becoming Queen Victoria is what she accomplishes in this small, independent, but, thoroughly enthralling film. The remaining ensemble is terrific from top to bottom. The movie strings extreme emotion throughout, first, deep sorrow and grief, confusion and anguish, and finally triumph. It keeps you guessing as to the Queen's competence to the throne and the relationship she constructs with Mr. Brown. The scenery is spectacular, both interior and exterior: it and Judi Dench will take you breath away. In the end, the movie satisfies on all accounts.
SimonJack The middle part of Queen Victoria's reign is one of the most interesting and unusual among monarchs of the modern age. "Mrs. Brown" (aka, "Her Majesty Mrs. Brown") covers that period. The queen and Prince Albert had been happily married for nearly 21 years when he died of suspected typhoid fever. As the movie opens, Victoria has been long in mourning over his death in 1861. Many months pass, and her family, the royal household, and the parliament want her to return to her public duties and get on with life. Finally, Victoria sends for a personal servant whom Albert had highly regarded at their Balmoral Castle in Scotland. For the next 20 years, John Brown takes charge of the queen's life and the royal household. The queen slowly comes to life again. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, convinces Brown of the need for the queen to resume a public life for the sake of the kingdom. Brown helps the queen see the need and wisdom of doing so. Brown is much despised among the royal family, household and officials. Yet, he continued to enjoy a unique position and closeness to the queen until his death from pneumonia in1883.Much about the relationship of Queen Victoria and John Brown remains secret or mysterious. It is still controversial among historians today. But, most agree that Brown's role was helpful to the crown and England. Barely half a century later, another unusual royal relationship would rock Russia. The "mad monk," Rasputin, wielded uncanny and bizarre influence at times over the Romanovs, Nicholas and Alexandra. Rasputin was killed on Dec. 30, 1916, less than two months before the start of the Bolshevik Revolution. He has been viewed by some historians as having helped bring and end to the Russian monarchy.Judi Dench does justice to the character of Victoria, and Billy Connolly is excellent in the role of John Brown. Other roles are all handled very well by a superb cast. The history of the time comes alive in the scenery and settings for the film. But for some curious aspects of this film, I wouldn't have written these comments since there were already many reviews. The first oddity to me was with the lead actress, Judi Dench. Queen Victoria was a short, stout woman, and rather plain looking. If anything, Dench gives her more character in her face. But, she seems way too old at the start of the film – when she should be about 42. And then, she doesn't appear to age at all over the next 20 years. She even seems to be a little younger. This was enough of a distraction to me that I couldn't get into the film – in the time and place, for the maximum enjoyment. Victoria and Albert had nine children. Two died in their 30s and the other seven lived long lives – to an average of 76. At the start of the film, four of them would be teens and three of them younger. We don't see the two youngest at all – Beatrice and Leopold, and the others all appear as older children and young adults. Albert (Bertie) who would become King Edward VII, and Princess Alexandra of Denmark were married in 1863, when he was 21. Any of the film details about Brown and Victoria that may be true were probably taken from the Highland Journal, and its sequel, which Queen Victoria wrote and had published. Otherwise, there don't appear to be any other written or historical accounts. I suspect the notion of a diary kept by Brown was fictitious, since it was destroyed according to the movie. How would anyone know about it otherwise?
jnscook This was a surprisingly good movie. Okay, I turned it on because I saw Gerard Butler in the list of actors for this movie. If he is the ONLY reason you are considering watching this film I would not recommend it for you...he has a minor part, although you do get a good look at his naked rear. Or you might watch it for him if you want to see him in his early years. Anyways, if you, like me, love period pieces then this would be a good movie to watch. I don't mind first gear movies, which this is. It is also witty and a different look into the royals. I can't get enough period pieces. If this is true for you add this to your list.