As Henry's health deteriorates, he grows introspective as various factions in the court try to position themselves for the seemingly inevitable succession.As Henry's health deteriorates, he grows introspective as various factions in the court try to position themselves for the seemingly inevitable succession.As Henry's health deteriorates, he grows introspective as various factions in the court try to position themselves for the seemingly inevitable succession.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBishop Gardiner was imprisoned for five years during the reign of Edward VI.
- GoofsHans Holbein the Younger died in 1543 at the age of 45, so he could not have painted Henry VIII in 1547. Holbein's most famous surviving portrait of Henry VIII was painted in 1537.
- Quotes
[last lines]
On Screen Text: Henry VIII died on January 28, 1547.
On Screen Text: His sole legitimate son became King Edward VI at the age of nine,
On Screen Text: Only to die of illness six years later.
On Screen Text: An attempt was made to prevent the King's eldest daughter, Princess Mary, from becoming Queen because of her Catholic beliefs.
On Screen Text: She was crowned in 1553. Her reign was short and turbulent. She burned many Protestant martyrs, and became known as "Bloody Mary".
On Screen Text: Her half-sister, Elizabeth, succeeded her in 1558. Known to history as the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth ruled England for forty-four years.
On Screen Text: Her reign was called "The Golden Age".
On Screen Text: In Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, the Tudor Dynasty produced the two most famous monarchs in English history.
- ConnectionsVersion of The Tudors: His Majesty's Pleasure (2008)
The reason I Love Game of Thrones so much is that the writers could create any narrative at all. And therefore the audience can never cringe and say, that never happened or that never happened that way.
As it stands, The Tudors is a wonderful entertainment. It's a costume drama, and Oh, the costumes. Brilliant in design and detail. They deserved the several Emmys which they were awarded. They are often stunning and always beautiful. I had no trouble forgiving the liberties they took with the actual clothes of the day.
The sets and set decorations are fantastic as are the performances turned in by all but one of the cast. I felt the Catherine Howard's character was played, or was directed to be played, annoyingly over the top. In fairness to the actress and the direction, everything from the moment Catherine Howard is arrested through her execution is suspenseful, and well played. It's just all her earlier fluttering, twitching and gyrating (which was designed to show her lack of intelligence and extreme youth) which I found so annoying.
A final note, an observation more than a criticism. I seriously doubt the English Court of that, or any time, had so many physically beautiful people gracing the Halls. (And every one with perfect teeth.) The show chose to keep all the characters youthful appearance until the very end. Even though the events of this last episode happened a mere two years after the events of the preceding episode. In S4, E10, the characters are finally shown with aged makeup. But even that is flattering. I doubt, however, any amount of conventional makeup could have distressed Henry Cavill's stunningly handsome face. No prosthetics for him. And no fat suit and fat face prosthetics for Jonathan Rhys Meyer's Henry VIII.
In the series, Henry VIII accurately suffered from a decades-long leg infection, but his later-life obesity was not portrayed. The commission of the now famous real portrait of the overweight monarch is depicted in the last episode. In the drama, the painting is true to the costume, but the face is that of Myers. It reflects the makeup aging of the actor. Looking not at all like the portrait we know so well. The TV monarch is disappointed and furious with the artist. He demands the portrait be redone, and that his appearance be shown more youthful. Of course the king's wishe is granted. The reimagining of this simple event is simply ludicrous. However, I pardon the creators, understanding this show is historical fantasy not fact. And a lot of fun to boot.
- ronswilliams-03171
- Apr 16, 2024
Details
- Runtime56 minutes
- Color