I liked this movie because of the complexity of the characters of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Usually Henry is portrayed as a blustering bully who demanded (and got) anything he wanted like a spoiled child. Richard Burton is this man, but the film explores the moral complexities of a man who was once named “Defender of the Faith” by the Pope and then broke away from the church so he could divorce his wife and marry his mistress. The film tries to answer the question – why would Anne Boleyn been worth all of the trouble? Simply, lust. Henry wanted what he could not have. Here is where the film diverges a bit from historical accuracy, but it still keeps the interest. Anne is not the beautiful idiot or the flirting seductress. Instead she is an intelligent woman who at first tries to resist the king because she has seen what becomes of his mistresses. However, she becomes power hungry and it leads to her downfall – a downfall the film suggests that she accepted because she knew Elizbeth would then become queen. Although Anne’s psychic abilities are a bit disconcerting, in the end the film’s two stars portrayed very convincingly two people who would have created someone such as Elizabeth I. Instead of being wholly considered her father’s daughter, Anne’s gifts of intelligence, diplomacy, and political manipulation are evident.

They don’t make films like this any more! Somehow a history lesson had me gripped, rooting for Anne Boleyn and cursing the legacy of Henry’s selfishness.

Ah, as I said, they just don’t make films with this kind of presence these days. Perfect Sunday afternoon (or christmas holidays!) viewing :)