Young Bess_
"A Great and Spectacular Drama!"
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.
Starring
Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
Young Bess was released 73 years ago in 1953.
Overview
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 Simm...
Young Bess is a Drama, History, Romance film with a runtime of 1h 52m.
CAST (20)
Jean Simmons
Young Bess (Queen Elizabeth I)
Stewart Granger
Thomas Seymour
Deborah Kerr
Catherine Parr
Charles Laughton
King Henry VIII
Kay Walsh
Mrs. Ashley
Guy Rolfe
Ned Seymour
Kathleen Byron
Ann Seymour
Cecil Kellaway
Mr. Parry
Rex Thompson
Prince Edward / King Edward VI
Robert Arthur
Barnaby
Leo G. Carroll
Mr. Mums
Norma Varden
Lady Tyrwhitt
Alan Napier
Robert Tyrwhitt
Noreen Corcoran
Bess as a child
Ivan Triesault
Danish Envoy
Elaine Stewart
Anne Boleyn
Dawn Addams
Kate Howard
Doris Lloyd
Mother Jack
Lumsden Hare
Archbishop Cranmer
Lester Matthews
Sir William Paget
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Young Bess 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.
How long is Young Bess?
Young Bess has a runtime of 112 minutes (1h 52m).
Who stars in Young Bess?
The cast of Young Bess includes Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton, Kay Walsh.
What is the rating of Young Bess?
Young Bess has a rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on 20 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Drama
History
Romance