Young Bess (1953): cast, story & where to watch
1953 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 1953, Young Bess is a drama, romance and history film directed by George Sidney, running about 112 minutes. “A Great and Spectacular Drama!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The mother died under the executioner's axe; the daughter rose to become England's greatest monarch -- the brilliant and cunning Queen Elizabeth I. Jean Simmons portrays young Bess in this rich tapestry of a film that traces the tumultuous, danger-fraught years from Elizabeth's birth to her unexpected ascension to the throne at a mere 25. Charles Laughton reprises his Academy Award®-winning* role as her formidable father Henry VIII. Deborah Kerr plays her last stepmother (and Henry's last of six wives), gentle Catherine Parr. And Simmons' then real-life husband, Stewart Granger, adds heroics as Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour. In a resplendent world of adventure, romance and court intrigue, Young Bess reigns.
Who’s in it. Young Bess stars Jean Simmons as Young Bess (Queen Elizabeth I), Stewart Granger as Thomas Seymour, Deborah Kerr as Catherine Parr and Charles Laughton as King Henry VIII, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Young Bess has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Young Bess page.
If you liked it. Fans of Young Bess tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Young Bess (1953)?
- In US, Young Bess is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Young Bess worth watching?
- Young Bess holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, romance and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Young Bess?
- Young Bess stars Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton and Kay Walsh.
- When was Young Bess released?
- Young Bess was released in 1953, with a runtime of about 112 minutes.