TimR

Historical dramas, war films and epics are my favorite film genres, and this account of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII is one of the best of the dramas.

It is exceptionally well written - not always true of historical films. It is also exceptionally well acted by Genevieve Bujold, who plays Anne. She starts out as a pretty, shallow, charming girl and turns into a a quiet heroic figure as the story progresses. Irene Papas has only a couple of scenes as Katherine of Aragon, but she creates a fully realized character. The rest of the cast includes Anthony Quayle, Michael Hordern, Nora Swinburne and Esmond Kinight.

The one surprise is Richard Burton, who lacks energy and intensity as Henry. I'm not sure waht to make of his performance. Robert Shaw brought more energy to the role of Henry in one very brief part in A Man for All Seasons. But he does make clear that Henry is a tyrant - a monstrously self-absorbed man. This is not always clear in other films about Henry.

Anne's trial scene is underplayed and very powerful.

Charles Laughton was impressive and entertaining, but he wasn't convincingly malicious and selfish. Burton is.

This was released in 1969. What a time that was for historical films! The Battle of Britain, Nicholas and Alexandra, Waterloo, Ryan's Daughter, Cromwell and this within a few years time.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

Valerie

This is one of my favourites as well, although I think that Keith Michelle is marginally better at playing Henry VIII than Richard Burton.

Val

Better the chaos of creativity than the tidiness of idleness.

batman

And both pale into insignificance when compared to Robert Shaw in A Man For All Seasons.

I wish I had claws.

Valerie

Hmmm, yes Robert Shaw is excellent.

Val

Better the chaos of creativity than the tidiness of idleness.

Pam1927

This film has always been one of my favourites. Genevieve Bujold was marvellous as Anne. I also particularly liked John Colicos as Thomas Cromwell. He was always so good at doing the 'evil with a smile on its face' type of characters. Excellent in 'Bond Of Fear'; and he played, of course, the first Klingon to be seen in Star Trek - once again, he was wonderfully sinister!

Pam

It's nice to be nice...

TimR

Keith Michell's performance in The Six Wives of Henry VIII was a true acting accomplishment. The ability to create a complex character in a television miniseries is under-rated. I would put that performance alongside Glenda Jackson in Elizabeth R.

The focus is on the actor or actress and the writing. That is a true test.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

TimR

It's always a pleasure to see excellent actors in small but significant roles. That is one of the features of a high quality historical drama.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

batman

Colicos was great as Cromwell and in Bond of Fear (which I watched recently). He also gave a splendidly sinister performance in Breakaway opposite Tom Conway.

I wish I had claws.

TimR

I just found this on a very unusual "double bill" DVD with the Vanessa Redgrave/Glenda Jackson Mary, Queen of Scots.

Anne of the Thousand Days is much the better film. The latter sacrifices history to drama, and at times to melodrama. The most genuinely irritating thing is that Mary is romanticized at the expense of Elizabeth - and Elizabeth's true greatness is not fully acknowledged.

But it's unlikely there will ever be two actresses who are more ideally suited to their roles - and what superb actresses they are! Also, the production values are excellent.

For those who like historical epics - and I count myself at the top of the list - this is a very nice two-for-one.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you