Mary of Scotland

Mary Stuart arrives in Scotland with her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, and travels to Holyrood Palace near Edinburgh. She faces scrutiny from the country's ruling noblemen and is questioned about her Catholic faith and marriage plans. Moray confronts her openly as she begins to reassert her claim to the throne.

On her arrival, the Protestant preacher John Knox publicly brands Mary a wicked Catholic. The accusation widens the rift with the nobles who must govern in her name. Moray moves to establish a council to oversee her rule.

Elizabeth I plots with Throckmorton to use Moray against Mary, hoping to destabilize her claim. The English plot adds pressure on Moray to challenge Mary's authority. Meanwhile Bothwell pledges loyalty to Mary and seeks a military role.

David Rizzio counsels Mary to marry Lord Darnley, the Catholic heir to the English throne. The counselor's push intensifies the political balancing act Mary must perform. Such pressures set the stage for a marriage that will shape her rule.

Mary reluctantly agrees to wed Darnley, despite her affection for Bothwell. The marriage binds Scotland to a stronger English alignment, while alienating several courtiers. Mary's choice marks a turning point in her rule.

The council pressures Mary to dismiss Rizzio; when she refuses, Darnley is goaded into accusing the secretary of infidelity. In Mary's bedroom, a group of Scottish nobles murders Rizzio, frightening the queen. Darnley watches drunkenly as Mary is forced to sign a false confession.

With Bothwell's loyal troops, Mary and Darnley escape the trap and fend off Moray's conspiracy aided by Elizabeth. The escape solidifies their alliance against their enemies. The immediate danger to Mary's rule subsides for the moment.

A year after Mary gives birth to James, Darnley threatens to disown his son as his heir. Before any plan can unfold, Darnley is burned alive in his private refuge, which is destroyed by planted explosives. Knox condemns Bothwell as Darnley's murderer.

In defiance, Bothwell abducts Mary and secretly marries her while Moray abducts baby James. The rebel lords attack Holyrood Castle, testing Mary's grip on the throne. Bothwell's loyalty to Mary further complicates Scotland's political landscape.

Moray gains the upper hand and forces Mary to abdicate the throne, imprisoning her while he declares himself regent. Bothwell reluctantly agrees to leave Scotland if Mary may remain queen, but his promises prove unreliable. The balance of power shifts decisively away from Mary.

Mary escapes from captivity, hoping Elizabeth's intervention will aid her cause. Elizabeth I instead imprisons Mary and waits to see how the situation unfolds. The political strings tighten around her future.

Following Bothwell's death in a Danish jail, Mary is placed on trial for treason by Elizabeth's regime. The death of a major ally alters the political landscape and leaves Mary vulnerable. She remains defiant, clinging to her royal claim.

Crushed by the death of Bothwell but resolute, Mary refuses to renounce the Stuart claim to the English throne even when offered clemency by Elizabeth. The trial becomes a moral showdown between the two queens. Elizabeth's clemency contrasts with Mary's stubborn determination.

As the situation nears its end, Mary confronts her execution with remarkable courage. She reflects on a life of political struggle and personal sacrifice rather than renouncing her birthright. The film closes on her steadfast resolve facing death.