User reviews

Absolutely brilliant film. No question, we all seem to agree that Dench deserved the Oscar (ok, Hunt was cute in AGAIG but a long way from 'Best'), Connolly is surprisingly good in this very dramatic role (I'm not exactly a huge fan of his comedic work), and Sher was very clever as Disraeli. All in all, a sterling performance by a wonderful cast. But this movie is just a little bit more that just great acting, it is also a moving story of the burdens of office, the mores of Victorian society, the anguish of the death of a loved one, and the blessing of true friendship. This is a very good movie. Don't expect sex, violence or swearing, but if you're looking for a quality film, this could be for you. 8/10

Dame Judi Dench is "Mrs. Brown" - that is, Queen Victoria, and Billy Connolly is John Brown in this 1997 film, based on fact, of Queen Victoria's relationship with a Scottsman, John Brown, who becomes her servant. The excellent script is by Jeremy Brock and the director is John Maddon, who does a wonderful job.

The widowed, deeply grieving Queen Victoria has basically retired from public life when John Brown, who served her late husband, appears on the scene to help draw her out. Each day, he stands outside with her horse, even though she refuses to ride. Eventually she rides again, and also takes walks. Attracted to his lack of formality, the Queen becomes extremely fond of Brown, making him the object of jealousy at court.

Both the stars are magnificent in their roles, and the atmosphere and costumes are perfect. Dame Judi Dench is a queen who is deeply aware of her position and protocol, but also is a vulnerable, sad woman, guilty that her newfound friendship is betraying her husband's memory. One can see her being drawn out slowly by John Brown, and finally enjoying the deep friendship. Connolly is great - tough, uncompromising, and fiercely protective of his Queen, though he realizes after a point that she needs to return to public life.

In history, John Brown and Queen Victoria were suspected of being more than friends, thus the name "Mrs. Brown," and in a diary was found the report of a deathbed claim by Rev. Norman Macleod, that he presided over Queen Victoria's marriage to John Brown. This really hasn't been proved, but the Queen was buried with a lock of Brown's hair, his photo, and his mother's wedding ring, as well as Prince Albert's robe. Most historians feel it was only a friendship and point out that after Brown's death, she became close to an Indian servant in much the same way. She obviously needed a confidant after her husband died.

The cinematography is breathtaking. A truly beautiful film, highly recommended.

Mrs Brown is an enthralling piece of work wonderfully crafted by Judy Dench and Billy Connolly. The story is about queen Victoria and the relationship with Mr Brown after the death of her husband. Connolly is superb and maybe should think about sticking to straight acting more often instead of comedy. Although the film tends to tail of a little in the last half hour it is still worth seeing. 7 out of 10

This is a phenomenal movie, but I am rather peeved at the way it has been marketed. When I rented the movie, the blurb on the box luridly touted the "forbidden passion between a rugged Scotsman and the most powerful woman in the world." Other marketing of the film is similar. That's not what the movie is about at all!! It is a very sad commentary on our society if a moving drama about terrible grief being assuaged through loyal friendship cannot be accepted for what it is. Is the American public really that shallow? I don't know whether to blame movie execs for dumbing down the presentation of their product to titillate the lowest common denominator, or the American public for maybe actually being that way.

Diatribes aside, Dench and Connolly are phenomenal. Victoria and Brown are complex characters with conflicting emotions, and one almost feels able to look upon their souls in this portrayal. Antony Sher was delightful as the orator/politician Benjamin Disraeli, at the same time both wise and gently pompous. The makeup job was so good that I actually recognized him as Disraeli before his name was mentioned.

If you are disappointed because this is not a puerile romance, shame on you. These are real people with real emotions. This moving story of grief and friendship is definitely one of the best of the year.

The nature of Queen Victoria's relationship with her Scottish servant John Brown certainly isn't of earth-shaking historical significance, however it does make for an interesting enough story, some good speculation (both in their day and in ours) and a reminder that royal scandal didn't begin with the current crop of British royalty.

After the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert, Victoria became very attached to Brown, who in turn became very protective of her. Their relationship was for the most part a very informal one (shockingly so to others, to whom deference to royalty - especially from commoners, and servants to boot! - was the natural state of affairs) and the obvious closeness of their relationship led to rumours and innuendo about the possibility of a love affair between the two. The movie takes no side on whether that happened or not (although the very closing scene, in which two of Victoria's most important counsellors are relieved that Brown's diary was found and that no one else had seen it perhaps implies that "something" had happened) and the reality is that there's no solid historical evidence to suggest that any romance developed between the two. The movie does portray in a very convincing manner the complications of such a friendship: the jealousy felt toward Brown by both his fellow servants (to whom he becomes quite haughty at times, rubbing their noses in his special status) and by other members of the royal family, who feared the potential for scandal and also resented the fact that Brown was closer to Victoria in many ways than they were.

The movie is a good period piece. The sets and atmosphere seem authentic and there's some great Scottish scenery in the midst of the story. The movie also features great performances from Judi Dench as Victoria and Billy Connolly as Brown. Also not to be overlooked is a fine performance from Antony Sher as Disraeli - the Prime Minister whose own position as head of government is being threatened by the Queen's increasing unpopularity when she secludes herself for years after Albert's death, and who eventually has to seek Brown's help (because Brown seems to be the only one with influence over her) to get Victoria to reclaim her public role as sovereign. The story may be trivial from a historical perspective, but at least it's interesting trivia!

MRS. BROWN as written by Jeremy Brock and directed by John Madden (Proof, Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin) is a sprightly, entertaining and engrossing study of a moment in the life of enigmatic Queen Victoria. Selecting an outstanding production crew and a fine cast this film succeeds on every level and once again proves to us that Judi Dench is one of the finest actresses on the stage or screen today.

The story revolves around the time when Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert dies resulting in a clinical depression in the queen. She leaves London with her entourage to grieve at Balmoral Castle. There her Scottish Highlander servant John Brown (Billy Connolly) nurses her back to normalcy but in the meanwhile sets up the appearance of an affair that scandalized the British Isles. Disraeli (Antony Sher) visits in an attempt to right the situation but it is Brown's strong personality - an equal match for the wise and wily Victoria - that alters the course of events that returns Queen Victoria to her proper station.

Dench and Connolly play so well off each other that their relationship has a wealth of charm, tenderness, bite, wit, and solidity. The supporting cast includes a fine turn by Gerard Butler as Archie Brown, John's supportive and playful brother. The costumes are superb and the cinematography by Richard Greatrex captures the atmosphere of the cloying indoor spaces as well as the freedom of the vast coastline vistas. Stephen Warbeck is responsible for the well-integrated musical score. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

Judi Dench plays Queen Victoria a year before winning her Oscar for playing Queen Elizabeth, and Billy Connolly plays the man who helps her recover from the depression she falls into after the death of her husband.

This is a tasteful, quiet period piece that has not much to recommend it cinematically but does give one the opportunity to see some terrific performances. American audiences didn't know who Dench was at the time of this film's release, but that was soon to be corrected. Because she lost the Best Actress Academy Award for this role (to Helen Hunt, of all people), she won the very next year for her 30 seconds of screen time in "Shakespeare in Love" and has been an Oscar regular ever since. She could play a fence post and be nominated now, as long as she did it with a British accent.

Grade: B

This film is a fantastic love story. You'll note that I didn't say "sex story," because there is absolutely no sex in this film. And yet most people equate "love story" with sex, or at least a beautifully shot kiss at the end, complete with a cheesy song penned by Brian Adams. This, my friends, is a love story with a difference.

It is the story of a servant's love for his queen; it is the story of a woman's love for the man who has given her life meaning; it is a story of two best friends, who ignore social circumstances and care deeply for one another. The story is nearly flawless, combining the historical situation and circumstances with intense and riveting emotion.

The acting is outstanding. Both of the central actors convey exactly what their character is feeling, even if no words are spoken. Billy Connolly lets John Brown's humanity shine through his rough exterior, and he has a naturalness that is quite inspired. And Dame Judi Dench gives a masterful performance, worthy of the Oscar (like that's never been said before). Her portrayal of a queen tortured by her feelings and her position in society is the best of the year by any actor, male or female.

Hands down the best British film of the year. 9/10.

A fine film but the history is not accurate. Queen Victoria was not hiding in Scotland untill 1869. In 1866, she visited Wolverhampton to publically unveil a statue of Prince Albert on horseback. At the same time she spontaneously knighted the Mayor of Wolverhampton. This was the first time appeared in public since her husband's death. There is no record of John Brown being present.

I say all this as a long term resident of Wolverhampton.

Superb and thoroughly convincing portrayals by all, but especially Judi Dench as Queen Victoria and Billy Connolly as John Brown. Brown is dogged in his devotion to the Queen.

While she is appreciative of and at a point demands that he remains with her, he is a very unpopular choice with her children, advisors, prime minister(s), etc.

Even through ridicule and other hardships Brown remains ever vigilant. A haunting film, that is well worth more then one viewing.

The attention to detail will please even the most demanding viewer.

An English friend introduced me to Billy Connolly many years ago, telling me he was "the funniest man in the world." And that he may be (check out his comedy performances--he is amazing); but his dramatic talents haven't always been well used. In "Mrs. Brown" he is flat-out brilliant. Judi Dench got more awards (and she was excellent) but Connolly's performance is layered, oracular, ornery, charismatic, overwhelming. He seems like the soul of Scotland, wrapped in a passionate, sometimes dysfunctional, sometimes rewarding relationship with an England (and its queenly personification) which thinks itself superior but cannot conquer. I thought it was the best work anyone did in any film in 1997 and am sorry he didn't get more attention--and better roles in other films. (Beautiful Joe? The Imposters? Please.)

If you are expecting this film to be a romance than skip it. It is about the extraordinary man with the ordinary name of John Brown who brought a Queen out of mourning. Not that a whole lot of gossip about Queen Victoria and her Scot's highland servant Brown wasn't bandied about in their day. That's the way it is in court politics, then and now.

Judi Dench is the Queen who when this story begins was getting the unflattering nickname of the widow of Windsor. By the merest of chance in these royal arranged marriages it was arranged she should marry a cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. She and Prince Albert had a good score of married years with several children. They were so happy that when Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in late 1861, Victoria went into a really lengthy mourning period beyond all normal parameters. The woman would have needed grief counseling had it been available back in her day. She shut herself up in Balmoral Castle in Scotland and made no public appearances. Nor would she allow any of her children to substitute for her, particularly the Prince of Wales. With that kind of mentality operating, a whole lot of people questioned the need even for a monarchy.

Into her life comes John Brown, brother one of the household help already at Balmoral and hired to tend the Queen's horses. Billy Connolly plays the rough spoken Brown who somehow even through his tough highland talk, endears himself to his Queen with his common sense and total concern for her well being.

Gaining the position he does in the Victorian household, Brown makes many enemies who try to bring him down. The period of the film covers when he arrives in the Queen service in 1866 until his death in 1883. Connolly makes a fine Brown though if the film had been made 25 years earlier, the part was made for Sean Connery.

Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown gained to Oscar nominations for Judi Dench for Best Actress and for Best Makeup. Shooting on location in the royal palaces and grounds which are nicely preserved from Victoria's time, the film does have the look and feel of Victorian Great Britain and the troubled monarch who reigned over the Empire.

Were she and Brown ever physical? I doubt that very much, the very practical Brown was not a stupid man and would never have pushed his luck that much. But he was a tower of strength for the woman whom he brought out of mourning to take her place which was a large one in the world.

Not quite the brassy Irish Mammy 'Mrs Brown' that some may be used to, but a strong and powerful woman nonetheless and as only Dame Judi can play her.

This film has helped me to fill in one of the many gaps missing from my History lessons at school. 14th Century Farming and Steam Trains will never be as interesting to me as the Royal bloodline, which wasn't taught. Alongside 'The Young Victoria' and 'Victoria and Abdul' it is all starting to make a bit of sense at last, but I am still rather reliant on Wikipedia to help connect some of the dots and I spend an inordinate amount of time looking things up on my phone while these historical films are on. It would be good to have more of those explanations, that you sometimes get, provided at the beginning of films of this genre to help those of us that are ignorant to understand how the characters, real or otherwise, have arrived at that point, especially as the IMDB Trivia section is quite devoid of the necessary information at the present time. Now I just need a film that spans the gap between this one and 'The King's Speech'.

The story is good and bears striking similarities to 'Victoria and Abdul' and not just because that also stars Judi as the same Queen. A pleasing look at a grieving monarch and her new found friendship that went against everything.

All of the actors provide fantastic performances as you would expect from such stalwart veterans. There is certainly no denying Ms Dench's brilliance in her role. It's also nice to see Billy playing it straight so well and lovely to see Gerrard Butler's bottom.

The only thing I would really criticise is that I found his ardent determination to protect her seemed to come from very little if nothing, perhaps there could have been something more to establish why he was so keen to look after her.

As a result of this viewing I am currently bidding on a copy of the book written by Queen Victoria actually. It is said to discuss her time with Mr Brown in The Highlands and has definitely peaked my interest.

A well put together piece representing an important time for The Widowed Queen.

I saw this movie again last night on video, having seen it before. It's one of those unpretentious films that leaves you wondering why you are - quietly - so involved: it "sneaks up" on you. Musing, it occurred to me that the unnamed force holding the story together is the unidentified motivation of John Brown. Why does he become so doggedly concerned with the welfare of this woman - in both her manners and her position the epitome of that English system of class and values he so disdains - even to the point of near obsession? We can see from his other actions and words that it has something to do with responsibility, independence, kindness, strength and weakness, and most of all honesty - he cannot dissemble - but fortunately, the film makers and the actor don't pry. The character is that wonderful thing, opaque yet real, sympathetic yet independent and never cloying - a wonderful antidote to run of the mill characterisation where we, the audience, are forced relentlessly to "relate". You really feel as if you have met a man as you might in life. At the largest level, I got out of the film the sense of what is possible - in terms of feeling, of relationship, of kindness to others - to a person when they truly accept themselves and live life on their own terms.

I really wanted to see this movie, as I love Judi Dench, and when I saw it was going to show on TV, I knew I had to see it. The result is a very beautiful, touching and brilliantly acted film. Also excellent are the intelligent, sophisticated screenplay and sensitive direction. What made it so beautiful was how it was filmed; beautiful cinematography, scenery, costumes you name it. The music is soothing, pleasant and tender, and the story is somewhat tragic and compelling. And the acting is outstanding, Judi Dench is absolutely mesmerising as Queen Victoria and Billy Connolly was a huge surprise as John Brown, giving a restrained and very moving performance, proving he can do serious roles while being thoroughly decent at comedy as well. Of the supporting performances, I thought the best came from Anthony Sher as Disraeli, and Geoffrey Palmer is also great. Overall, topped with a poignant ending, Mrs Brown is a wonderful film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Mrs Brown is a movie my mom has almost killed me over, lol, just joking. But she wanted me to find it on DVD, I could never find it, but I did find it at Hollywood Video and just told my mom about it, she freaked out and screamed for me to rent it. So I rented it and put her at peace, lol, but anyways, we watched it together this afternoon and I have to say that I didn't see the dramatic deal with the movie, my mom actually said it didn't seem as good as before either. But I wouldn't deem it as a bad movie at all, it was actually made very well with some fantastic and very distinguished actors of our time.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's marriage was one of the happiest in royal history, so when Albert passed away, Vicotiria is devastated. The queen is in ultimate mourning and England is not pleased with the way she is handling it. But when a Scottish horse servant, John Brown, comes to help her, they become best friends and eventually lead into something more scandalous leading England her majesty's court to question her abilities as their queen.

Mrs Brown is very well made and has a very strong cast that keep the movie together. It's a movie I would recommend if you love time pieces. It didn't thrill me, but the story was very interesting and wonderful in the fact that you got to see the human side of Queen Victoria. That it's possible to question emotions and a sense of duty, something most of us face in a life time.

7/10

Mrs Brown tells the story of a loving relationship that Queen Victoria developed with a loud, boozy Scot named John Brown. Brown had a tremendous loyalty to Queen Victoria which the Queen came to treasure in the years following the death of Prince Albert whose death had driven the Queen into the depths of depression.

Billy Connolly performed the role superbly, although one might wonder how the Queen, who was a stickler for Royal protocol, could tolerate some of his erratic behaviour.

Geoffrey Palmer, who was paired with Judi Dench in the long running television series As Time Goes By, is Henry Ponsonby, who was thoroughly alarmed by Brown's hold on the Queen's affections.

Judy Dench showed an interesting range as the widowed Queen who was haughty towards family and aides and warm and loving towards Brown. On one outing she appeared as a gracious guest in the house of one of Brown's friends in the highlands near Balmoral.

I was very taken with Antony Sher's performance as Disraeli. He seemed to capture the essence of the Prime Minister who persuaded the Queen to withdraw from her extended period of mourning and once again show her public face.

All in all, a fine movie that dramatizes a period in the middle of Victoria's reign before she became known as the Grandmother of Europe.

This movie is a treasure. Judi Dench deserved an Oscar for her work. If I ever see her on the street, I will apologize for the stupidity of the Academy. Billy Connolly was terrific also and deserved his own nomination. This movie is magnificent; one of the best I've seen in a long time. Even if you think this kind of thing is too Masterpiece Theatre, I think you would enjoy this.

I once wrote a very amusing poem about Queen Victoria. My mother liked it, anyway. (STOP LAUGHING AT THE BACK)!! Her reign as the longest serving British monarch (for the next few years at least) has always been a source of interest to me, as has the early death of her beloved Prince Albert and the subsequent mourning she went through for years afterwards. I didn't realise though, that a close friend of Albert's called Brown became her closest confidante afterwards and helped restore her confidence enough to return to public life and affection, just when we were sliding into republic territory. You could almost call it a mini romance... except, both parties were far too respectful of each other to go further than the occasional kiss on the hand. Ah, the pangs of unfulfilled passion...

The servants disapprove of him, the Queen's children are jealous and the Prime Minister sees him as a chance to increase his poll ratings by influencing the court. But through it all, his defiant Scottish personality sends all schemers and plotters packing, and Victoria's devotion to her new manservant is nothing more than total. Of course, something has to give... but despite things not quite working out, his impact on her life and the British Royal family was indelible, and is now part of history. We know Judi Dench can play this sort of role better than almost anyone alive, but Billy Connolly is a revelation as the unstintingly loyal Brown. Reigning in his natural comedy instincts, he delivers a performance full of determination and heart... It's easy to see why Her Majesty falls for him in such a big way.

Perfect as a companion piece to The Young Victoria, they show a figure who is complicated in many ways, but always put her crown and country first. Go watch them both back to back, and then you may be inspired yourself to write an ode to this wonderful lady. Betcha it's nowhere near as good as MY effort though... 7/10

Mrs Brown is a good movie with a good storyline ,excellent performances by Bill Conolly ,Judi Dench and Antony Sher. Antony Sher(Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli)adds some humor to the the movie .It was a delight visiting the beautiful Scottish Highlands thanks to some marvelous photography and a very good recreation of the Victorian age. The real show stealer I felt was Bill Conolly(John Brown).He is portrayed as a loyal,charismatic,fun loving Scottish highlander who can dare to defy the Queen's orders .The scenes involving Victoria and Brown are electrifying.It surprises me that a talented actor like Bill Connoly Does not get many good roles.I would definitely love to see more of this talented actor.

There have been goodness knows how many theories about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her highland ghillie John Brown, brought from Her Majesty's estate at Balmoral to try to prize her from her routine of melancholy following the death of Prince Albert. In this version, John Madden cleverly decides to emphasise the characterisations of the Queen and of her Highland servant, rather than to try and create something that historians can argue over... Of course it's all speculative, but both Dame Judi Dench and Billy Connolly excel here at building an honest, and ultimately loving friendship that is plausible - especially for the widow surrounded otherwise by an almost acolytic suite of staff. Geoffrey Palmer is also on good form as her Private Secretary (Sir Henry Ponsonby) trying to walk the line between protocol and productivity; and to deal with the resentment across the family and other staff caused by Brown's relationship with his Sovereign as the film progresses. Antony Sher also stands out as the politically savvy Disraeli, David Westhead as the seriously un-amused Prince of Wales and there is an early outing for Gerard Butler as John's brother "Archie". As you'd expect, the technical and creative aspects of the production lend their best efforts to make this a very craftful piece of cinema.

It may be an unwritten rule, but it is clearly understood in upper crust societies that sadness is stoic, while happiness is petty. Mrs. Brown peers into the private life of one of history's most fascinating people, at her most private of times. Following the death of her husband, Queen Victoria goes into a long period of mourning, taking her empire with her. Struggling to hang onto her dearly departed she latches onto his favorite employee, a stable master.

Under the stern eye of her advisors and children, Victoria forms a friendship with the man that transcends anything considered respectable.

Judi Dench plays Queen Victoria to perfection. Even in her most tender moments, she never loses her dignity, nor her presence. Billy Connelly is John Brown, her loyal and trustworthy friend, servant and companion.

The film is beautifully shot, capturing the bleakness that would have been Queen Victoria's life at that time. The writing is first rate, blending a small story with epic events, and detailing the picture with occasional glimpses into the day to day life of the time.

Most impressive about this movie is that it resists the temptation to grasp on to Hollywood cliches. John Brown snubs his nose at the establishment, however he knows his limits. Victoria lets loose, but never at the cost of her station.