The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)
Country: GB
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Alexander Korda
Cast: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Robert Donat
Synopsis:
Henry VIII rids himself of his second wife and works through four more.
Review:
A quirky historical creation, with a by turns impish and petulant portrayal by Laughton. The contrast between business and pleasure is well drawn, and the script is inventive at handling the subject's racier aspects. The style is epitomised by the opening episode depicting the beheading of Anne Boleyn: irreverent remarks among the ladies in waiting add lightness to a well documented event but do nothing to detract from the solemnity of Merle Oberon's scenes. A classic British film, and a vital one in the careers of its principals and for the British film industry as perceived by America. Sample line, re. Anne of Cleves (Lanchester): 'The things I have done for England...', later re-used by 007 in You Only Live Twice!
Country: GB
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Alexander Korda
Cast: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Robert Donat
Synopsis:
Henry VIII rids himself of his second wife and works through four more.
Review:
A quirky historical creation, with a by turns impish and petulant portrayal by Laughton. The contrast between business and pleasure is well drawn, and the script is inventive at handling the subject's racier aspects. The style is epitomised by the opening episode depicting the beheading of Anne Boleyn: irreverent remarks among the ladies in waiting add lightness to a well documented event but do nothing to detract from the solemnity of Merle Oberon's scenes. A classic British film, and a vital one in the careers of its principals and for the British film industry as perceived by America. Sample line, re. Anne of Cleves (Lanchester): 'The things I have done for England...', later re-used by 007 in You Only Live Twice!
Country: GB
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Alexander Korda
Cast: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Robert Donat
Synopsis:
Henry VIII rids himself of his second wife and works through four more.
Review:
A quirky historical creation, with a by turns impish and petulant portrayal by Laughton. The contrast between business and pleasure is well drawn, and the script is inventive at handling the subject's racier aspects. The style is epitomised by the opening episode depicting the beheading of Anne Boleyn: irreverent remarks among the ladies in waiting add lightness to a well documented event but do nothing to detract from the solemnity of Merle Oberon's scenes. A classic British film, and a vital one in the careers of its principals and for the British film industry as perceived by America. Sample line, re. Anne of Cleves (Lanchester): 'The things I have done for England...', later re-used by 007 in You Only Live Twice!