The early life of Elizabeth I, from her childhood until her accession to the throne of England in 1558.
When Anne Boleyn (Elaine Stewart) is executed for infidelity, her daughter Elizabeth (Jean Simmons) is sent into exile by King Henry VIII (Charles Laughton). Elizabeth grows into a spirited young woman. Eventually, she is summoned back to London to meet Henry’s latest bride, Catherine Parr (Deborah Kerr). She also meets Admiral Thomas Seymour (Stewart Granger) and becomes instantly enamored. Unfortunately for her, the machinations of politics prove far more potent than love.
The reality of Elizabeth’s relationship with Seymour wasn’t exactly one of history’s great love stories, but Young Bess is mostly based on solid research – with a fiddle-de-dee accent. – The Guardian
Starring Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton, Kay Walsh.