MovieChat Forums > Mary, Queen of Scots (1972) Discussion > Glenda Jackson or Vanessa Redgrave

Glenda Jackson or Vanessa Redgrave


Which do you think is the better actress??

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I'm afraid Glenda gets my vote. She made a fabulous Elizabeth.

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I can’t decide; they are both are fantastic actresses who put in great performances as their respective Queens. However I enjoyed 'Elizabeth R' slightly more than 'Mary, Queen of Scots' but I still loved Vanessa Redgrave’s performance as Mary.


‘Noli me tangere; for Caesar's I am’

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[deleted]

It wasnt written like that, thats the types of woman they were.
Elizabeth and balls, Mary was just out for fun and love. Still a scottish treasure tho! lol

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Sorry luvs, but Vanessa is part of an acting dynasty so she gets my vote.

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I think Glenda made a fabulous Elizabeth. Loved her in this.

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Glenda Jackson left the profession to enter politics. Vanessa Redgrave is political, but has remained in the profession, and for my money, is the greatest actress in the world today. I saw her onstage in Long Day's Journey into Night and she was incandescent!

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I find it interesting that Glenda Jackson quit acting for politics, but wasn't known for being political, while Vanessa is always politically outspoken, but doesn't run for office.
Curious.

Carpe Noctem

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Redgrave did run for office back in the 70s whens ehwas with the Workers Revolutionary Party or whatever it was.

Both are great actresses---I think Redgrave is perhaps the better actress of the two, BUT Elizabeth was a much more commanding figure here... while Mary came off kinda wimpy, so I think Glenda kinda outshines Vanessa here

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[deleted]

Glenda Jackson is the better actress, no offense to Redgrave.

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Glenda over Vanessa, with respect to the latter.
Elizabeth over Mary.

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Don't confuse the actresses with the roles. As a Catholic with Scottish heritage (my grandmother was a Hunter), as far as who's queen, I pick Mary...queen of all the earth-second only to the Virgin Mary, mother of God.

Just call me Queen of the May.

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Vanessa wasn't much cop when it came to projecting her voice to the assembled lords and clansmen. I thought one might holler back, 'Speak up, wee dearie!'

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''As a Catholic with Scottish heritage (my grandmother was a Hunter)''

Kudos for knowing that Hunters (Clann an t-Sealgair) are Scottish as the English name throws people off. Actually the Hunters are technically a Scottish family of Norman origin, being originally Venators; Scandinavians who used to frolic freely in the woods of Normandy acting all French.



Formerly KingAngantyr

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Glenda ran circles around Vanessa.

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They're too very different actresses.

Glenda is a very technical actress. Most people tend to admire her diction, how she says her lines or her voice projection, rather than her ability to actually inhabit a character.

Vanessa on the other hand, although technically very skilled too, she is far more emotionally connected and instinctive. Her acting is less perfect and more visceral.

Personally, I think Vanessa is, bar Maggie Smith, the greatest actress in England today. But each to his own.

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Glenda Jackson had the better role, one suited to her. I had forgotten how beautiful she is. She would have played an excellent Mary.

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Two of the greatest actresses of their generation. Redgrave has always been a favourite of mine, but Jackson outclassed her here. While Vanessa was quite good, Glenda overcame a sometimes shoddy script and was the saving grace of this lumbering if occasionally impressive film.

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