The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey, the young Queen who reigned in England for nine days before she was executed, is depicted in this historical drama.
Following the death of King Henry VIII (Frank Cellier) in 1547, his 9-year-old son, Edward VI (Desmond Tester), takes the throne — but the real power lies with his adviser, the Earl of Warwick (Cedric Hardwicke). When Edward grows ill at age 15, the Earl convinces the dying king to name his cousin, Jane Gray (Nova Pilbeam), as his successor. The appointment is not accepted by the court, causing Edward’s sister, Mary Tudor (Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies), to lead a revolt against the reluctant queen.
In “Nine Days a Queen,” the new Gaumont British picture at the Roxy, the English film-makers have risen again to the standard of excellence established by “The Private Life of Henry VIII.” Hollywood’s recent “Mary of Scotland” becomes a pallid and romanticized chapter play by comparison. The new film, being painstakingly accurate, bitterly dramatic and movingly performed, must be set down as the finest historical picture we have seen this season. Individually and as a whole it is a faultless cast. – New York Times
In black and white.
Starring John Mills, Cedric Hardwicke, Nova Pilbeam.