Anne of the Thousand Days
Hal Wallis Productions
145 mins.
December 18, 1969
Rating: PG
He was King. She was barely 18. And in their thousand days they played out the most passionate and shocking love story in history!
I find this portrayal of Anne and Henry more believable than those same roles in Showtime's The Tudors. At least in this portrayal they are more of the appropriate age. I liked Richard Burton in this film better than I did his role in Cleopatra - he seemed to exude Henry from every pore and he seemed fully committed to this role. I LOVED Genevieve Bujold’s Anne - she was beautiful and fiery – I would say she is my favorite Anne yet (and I really liked Natalie Dormer’s portrayal). She is the image of Anne for me. You would never know that this was Bujold’s first English speaking role!
There were some things that bothered me, like historical inaccuracies - there were two blaring ones for me. Near the beginning - when Anne was interested in Henry Percy - they alluded to the fact that both the Boleyn's and the Percy's approved of the marriage. Also, when Katherine of Aragon lay dying, her daughter Mary was right by her side. Both of these things are nowhere near true. But liberties are taken in all things movie, as well as historical fiction, so I can forgive that.
The costuming is beautiful – and it makes perfect sense that they won the Academy Award for costume design.
The execution scene was more of an emotional scene than one designed to shock. There is no great drawn out speech and you don’t see any blood or guts. Very well done.
Overall a decent movie that I would recommend to Tudor fans.
Check out this trailer:
Copyright © 2011 by The Maiden’s Court
I've never seen this one -- but I need to after your review. The historical inaccuracies won't bother me, but they'll bug my wife, but hopefully the great costumes will distract her!
ReplyDeleteI seen this and reviewed this. I liked the movie too! There were a lot of inaccuracies but it IS hollywood and so what would you expect? I didn't like the end that much. I found it a little...well...anti-climatic if those are the right words. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHeard but never seen this movie. I'll have to check Netflix
ReplyDeleteAudra - I think you will enjoy it - it's well done!
ReplyDeleteCarole Rae - I would have to agree with you on the ending - after the great job with the rest of the movie it sort of ended...no high note or anything.
Jenny - you have to check it out - it was one that too me a while to get to too.