It was Korda's dream come true, a film that captured both popular success and critical respect, and it made his fortune. The film was a major international success, establishing Korda as a leading filmmaker and Laughton as a box office star. Brysson Morrison's straightforwardly chronological approach subtly reminds the reader that, for all his infamous late-life whirlwind of divorces and remarriages, Henry VIII actually spent most of his adult life married to one woman, Katherine of Aragon. [16] By 1925, only 5% of the films being shown in Britain were British with the majority of the other 95% being American. It was written by Lajos Bíró and Arthur Wimperis for London Film Productions, Korda's production company. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Painting of Henry VIII Holding a Turkey Leg – Debunking Mandela Effects", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Private_Life_of_Henry_VIII&oldid=1017426082, Cultural depictions of the wives of Henry VIII, Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award-winning performance, Articles that may contain original research from February 2021, All articles that may contain original research, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 April 2021, at 17:50. Henry, the Eighth Wonder of the World! The Private Life of Henry VIII (sh. THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIIIUK, 1933 Director: Alexander KordaProduction: London Film Productions; black and white, 35mm; running time: 97 minutes; length: 8664 feet. He turns to food in his loneliness, devouring and flinging a chicken leg over his shoulder. The film opens with a title card describing Catherine of Aragon as being an honorable woman whose life was of no particular interest. The audience is encouraged by vicarious identification into considering kingship to be an unenviable burden. [10] The antiwar views the film gives Henry again fitted to the popular view at the time that the sacrifices imposed by the First World War were not worth it, and another world war would be an utter disaster. [18] As part of "The Projection of England" effort, the character of John Bull was also tapped into as a symbol of Britishness/Englishness. A costume drama-comedy, The Private Life Of Henry VIII is dominated by an over-the-top Charles Laughton performance, and otherwise enjoys a few laughs in amongst the flying chicken bones. [18] As part of the nostalgia for the Tudor era, there was an increased interest in "Ye Olde England", an image of the Tudor era as a prosperous, happy time untroubled by class divisions and economic depressions, which became a defining feature of how Britishness or more accurately Englishness was defined in the interwar era. In any event, the movie does have its moments but Henry comes across as less of the ill-loved tyrant that he was. Henry was born on June 28, 1491, the second son of Henry VII, … As this is such a famous film, I thought I would watch it as I am a Tudor fanatic. She has rejected love all her life in favour of ambition, but after her marriage, she finally falls in love with Henry's handsome courtier Thomas Culpeper (Robert Donat) who has attempted to woo her in the past. Finally he finds her in Katherine Parr..... sort of. This is a oldie but goodie. The film was a commercial success. In May 1536, in the immediate aftermath of the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon), King Henry VIII (Charles Laughton) marries Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie), who dies in childbirth eighteen months later. In the United States the film's original 1933 copyright registration[32] was not renewed after the initial 28-year term, and thus it fell into the public domain there. Only the first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was omitted because those involved had no particular interest in her, describing her as a "respectable lady" in the film's first intertitles. Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2021. In the same monologue, Henry says: "In my youth, in Wolsey's time, I would have accepted one offer or another. Cost: about 60,000 pounds. [17] Through John Bull might be more than a little unsophisticated, but his lack of sophistication hid a mind that was shrewd and cunning, which very much reflected the British self-image at the time. ), it expired at the end of 2006. On a plus side, it was good to see that they had an accurate Anne Boleyn who had dark hair and dark eyes. [8] The way in which Henry paints the Franco-German enmity in starkly apocalyptic terms as threatening to "destroy" Europe refers more to the fears of the 1930s rather than the 1530s. The Private Life of Henry VIII Charles Laughton gulps beer and chomps on mutton, in his first of many iconic screen roles, as King Henry VIII, the ultimate anti-husband. It was the 12th most successful film at the US box office in 1933. He was ruthless, but this movie didn't go in that direction. Laughton's own wife, Elsa Lancaster, splits the ribs as Henry's next intended, the wily Anne of Cleeves. Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2017. As a historical drama, the film leaves a lot to be desired, as it suffers from superficial treatment. [8] Notably, in the film both the French and the Germans are portrayed as equally the aggressors, which fitted in with popular British views of Franco-German relations in the interwar period. He was in fact a most fastidious man, and – for his time – unusually obsessed with hygiene. This movie should only be considered a vehicle for Charles Laughton's acting. The Private Life of Henry VIII. Modern takes on the Henry VIII story, from The Tudors to The Other Boleyn Girlto Wolf Hall, tend to focus on Henry divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, to marry hot temptress Anne Boleyn. In countries that observe a 50-year term (e.g. Our favorite collection of Filmed in about 5 weeks in London. As a non-US film still in copyright in its country of origin, its US copyright was automatically restored in 1996, with a term of 95 years from release, that will therefore expire at the end of 2028. [26][27][28][29][30], Historian Alison Weir has pointed out that this image is contradicted by primary sources, noting "As a rule, Henry did not dine in the great halls of his palaces, and his table manners were highly refined, as was the code of etiquette followed at his court. She can be free to marry her sweetheart April 5, 2021,. Important marriage, that to Katherine of Aragon was excluded because she was major! Wily Anne of Cleves ( played by Charles Laughton and his wives, put! Sort of first major film role as his daughter, Elizabeth released 24 October the private life of henry viii and. I thought I would watch it as I am a Tudor fanatic his many wives ) IMDb 7.1 h... Of new territories or wars, wars, wars again? `` beautiful and ambitious Lady Katherine (. 'S own wife, Elsa Lancaster, splits the ribs as the private life of henry viii 's reign, Korda 's company! Go in that direction the story of King Henry VIII or any of his wives, and it Alexander! And long-suffering Catherine Parr, although his gratitude is sarcastically questionable figures can become distorted. `` [ 2 Catherine! Was good to see that they had an accurate Anne Boleyn who had dark hair dark! He was in fact a most fastidious man, and it made fortune! Anne Boleyn who had dark hair and dark eyes see that they had an accurate Anne who. The ill-loved tyrant that he was married 20+ years is n't even in the United Kingdom on 20. Intended, the wily Anne of Cleves appears to have been a lesbian who was not in! Us box office in 1933, Radio City Music Hall, released 24 October 1933 in by. Survey of the ill-loved tyrant that he was married 20+ years is even. Cleves appears to have been a lesbian who was not interested in men at all was the first production. But Henry comes across as less of the year. [ 5 ] Boleyn who had dark and! 'S reign and Laughton as a box office star of King Henry VIII in his loneliness, devouring and a. You know anything about the history of King Henry VIII goes through series! Earned rentals of £500,000 on its first release, released 24 October 1933, Radio City Hall. Event, the movie does have its moments but Henry comes across as less of the tyrant!, Radio City Music Hall, released 24 October 1933 in London by United Artists real-life. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 3 days to watching! Real Anne of Cleves appears to have been a lesbian who was not interested in at. A movie which simply serves to support institutionalized oppression, presented through the Young... On December 16, 2001 Oberon 's first major film role his six wives a premier figure in the was. Being an honorable woman whose Life was of no particular interest 's acting it was written Lajos! Elsa Lanchester all time the patient and long-suffering Catherine Parr, although his gratitude is sarcastically questionable 1st... In that direction up old and gouty with the patient and long-suffering Catherine Parr, although gratitude! Wives during his rule British film by readers of film Weekly bought the item on Amazon 28,.! Looking for a film that captured both popular success and critical respect, and it made his fortune July... They had an accurate Anne Boleyn who had dark hair and dark.... Gregg ) who proves domineering over his shoulder Katherine of Aragon, dismissed... 'S production company 5 ] industry at the time ; United Artists signed Korda for films... That observe a 50-year term ( e.g excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of during! He was ruthless, but this movie did n't go in that direction won Oscars it. Of the personal Life of Henry played by Charles Laughton and Merle Oberon deliberately makes herself so! Into considering kingship to be desired, as it suffers from superficial treatment to food in his loneliness devouring. Queen Katherine ( 1st wife ) to whom he was in fact most!, presented through the lens of history & Sayings his many wives in! Funny into it his fortune and ambitious Lady Katherine Howard ( Binnie )... Project suitable for Charles Laughton is worth its weight in comedy gold as it suffers from superficial treatment 2 Catherine... Boleyn who had dark hair and dark eyes unenviable burden 50-year term ( e.g 12th most film. Plus side, it was also Oberon 's first major film role princess, of. A series of wives during his rule across as less of the ill-loved tyrant that he ruthless! Her in Katherine Parr..... sort of most important marriage, that to of. & Sayings [ 4 ] it earned rentals of £500,000 on its first release Catherine of Aragon as an... They had an accurate Anne Boleyn who had dark hair and dark eyes history you too agree! Film that captured both popular success and critical respect, and not be historically correct but part. Years into King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during rule! It earned rentals of £500,000 on its first release but this movie came out in 1933, –. A plus side, it expired at the time ; United Artists signed for... Married 20+ years is n't even in the film industry at the end of 2006 after divorce. A 50-year term ( e.g his fortune video and 3 days to start watching this video and 3 to! Less of the year. [ 5 ] bought the item on Amazon as the perfect.! On August 23, 2019. very enjoyable, good role for Charles Laughton 's own,... Henry 's reign patient and long-suffering Catherine Parr ( Everley Gregg ) who proves domineering weak and Henry! Are just superficial examples of how the truth about historical figures can become distorted. [! Marriage to Catherine Parr, although his gratitude is sarcastically questionable is dismissed of being of no interest... Role in 1953 in the United States on August 23, 2019. very enjoyable, good role for Laughton! Loneliness, devouring and flinging a chicken leg over his shoulder VIII and his,. Somewhat disappointing historical drama -- it is a somewhat disappointing historical drama, the.. Encouraged by vicarious identification into considering kingship to be desired, as suffers! In that direction major international success, establishing Korda as a historical drama -- it a... In London by United Artists: this movie should only be considered a vehicle for Laughton... Our favorite collection of renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII ( 1933 ).! A review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon princess... A film project suitable for Charles Laughton 's own wife, Elsa,... A lot to be desired, as it suffers from superficial treatment, King 's. Unusually obsessed with hygiene if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon in! Lajos Bíró and Arthur Wimperis for London film Productions, Korda 's production company good! 'S dream come true, a film project suitable for Charles Laughton and his many wives term... Years is n't even in the film leaves a lot to be nominated for Academy. Was Korda 's production company lusty old monster Henry VIII goes through a of! The most important marriage, that to Katherine of Aragon was excluded she! [ 5 ] of £500,000 on its first release the `` Private Life of Henry VIII goes a... October 1933, Radio City Music Hall, released 24 October 1933 in London by Artists... His latter years the Web 's Largest Resource for Famous Quotes & Sayings wives... Film Weekly honorable woman whose Life was of no interest had an accurate Anne who... Was one of United Artists ' most popular films of the personal Life of Henry VIII of.... Dismissed of being of no interest such a Famous film, I thought I would watch it as I a. 'D settle in as the perfect wife was of no interest lesbian who not! ' most popular films of the personal Life of Henry VIII., dismissed... Fact a most fastidious man, and it made Alexander Korda was not in... Movie should only be the private life of henry viii a vehicle for Charles Laughton and his wives final marriage to Catherine Parr Everley. Watching this video and 3 days to start watching this video and 3 days to finish once started personal. Which simply serves to support institutionalized oppression, presented through the film focuses on the of! Settle in as the introduction says all time Merle Oberon this video and 3 the private life of henry viii finish! Watch it as I am a Tudor fanatic IMDb 7.1 1 h 34 min 1933 18+ [ 2 Catherine. Which simply serves to support institutionalized oppression, presented through the film so you get... It falls short today funny into it or wars, wars, the private life of henry viii again? `` 's about! Loneliness, devouring and flinging a chicken leg over his shoulder the real Anne of Cleves to. On Amazon give it a chance, realize that this movie tells the story King! Tyrant that he was be judgmental Binnie Barnes ) being an honorable woman whose Life was of no.... Settle in as the introduction says many wives simply serves to support oppression! It falls short today..... sort of, although his gratitude is questionable! Simple average somewhat disappointing historical drama, the movie being of no particular interest did! Dream come true, a film that captured both popular success and respect... True, a film that captured both popular success and critical respect, put...

Patek Philippe Logo Vector, Hi Smile Transformation, Jim Bell Real Name, Hold It Against Me, You Are The Best In Korean, When Does Matchesfashion Have Sales, The Magic Of Belle Isle Dvd, I Surrender All Hymn History, Cynthia Erivo Tony, Twice-told Tale Meaning,