Pretty much overlooked and forgotten, a surprisingly effective and poignant historical drama, "LADY JANE," has been released by PARAMOUNT. Helena Bonham Carter stars as Lady Jane Grey, a beautiful, young girl whom has been plunged into a plot to maintain the "status quo" from the Protestant Reformation. Lady Jane actually ruled as Queen of England for nine days, and pushed for some significant social reforms, before her execution.  The romantic subplot of the film appears to have been fictionalized for dramatic emphasis, but much of the film's historical elements are accurate. 

"LADY JANE" was the launching pad for Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes, and both are terrific here.  Patrick Stewart gives an outstanding performance as Jane's selfish father, one entirely apathetic to his own daughter's safety and needs.  Director Trevor Nunn's pacing is uneven at times, but the film manages to be moving, and upsetting.  When a viewer can feel "angry" towards Stewart's character, it's easy to see the film's working! 

PARAMOUNT has preserved the film's 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with 16:9 enhancement.  The image is decent, although colors are restrained, and there's an abundance of grain throughout.  Constrast is fine, with generally adequate black and gray delineation. Fleshtones appear natural.