The Tudor period seems to be very much the current fashion both in books, movies and TV series. The Tudors, the series that shows a big part of Henry VIII’s reign, not only has aired in many TV screens across the globe but has also managed to win quite a few awards at the IFTAs (Irish Film and Television Awards), seven in total including Best Drama Series and Best Actor in a Television Drama Series. The series has many flaws in the accuracy department with some historical facts totally rewriten to better fit the script (maybe we should just say it’s loosely based in historical facts) and especially the first season was a bit sexed up to attract viewers and make it look more modern. Regarding the cast we do have some trouble imagining Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII but it is good to see Sam Neill and Jeremy Northam again. The sets however do get a positive note as does the wardrobe (a lot of heaving bosoms and low necklines there). A last thing, they do spend a lot of time on the Katherine / Henry marriage which we think is a good thing as she is so often dealt with very quickly. Not exactly our favorite traditional costume drama but maybe an interesting story to spend a few hours with!
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I’ve been ogling this one. Jeremy Northam alone is very tempting, as I am especially partial to his acting. However, Henry VIII is one of my least favorite characters in the British history. I will see The Other Boleyn girl (damn, I already feel influenced by some reviews about it), and it’s a sin to make Henry so beautiful by choosing Eric Bana. I take it, the guy on the front cover is Henry, no? Again a beautiful guy with quite an interesting pair of lips. *g*
Of course, the other big reason why I feel reluctant is the fact that I have a weakness for romances. I love mysteries in film or book, but I love them best with a dash of romance. What I know of Henry is not much, but the bare facts don’t encourage me to this series.
I watched an episode of this the other day, and was surprised by how built JRM is! Of course, the history is all screwed up…but this show is one that I am watching because it is lovely to look at, as opposed to learn something new about history!
I have a some trouble imagining JRM as Henry VIII, he seems so far of how I picture Henry in my head. The same goes for Eric Bana who looks like such a nice guy, totally the opposite of how I imagine Henry… although he must have been nice and handsome in his youth…
I also watched the first episode and frankly I’m not impressed. Like you said, Marg, they butchered history but even Jonathan Rhys-Meyers performance is far from being captivating, he lacks charisma and his acting always seems a bit forced…
Same here, Ana T.! Eric Ban is too gorgeous to be Henry VIII and Rhys-Meyers with his sashaying and pouting lips looks more like a Gucci model. ;-)
I just couldn’t get over the “Mary turned Margaret” issue, another example of dumbing down the history for the masses. I also had a chuckle at the scene with a picture of Richard the III on the wall, way to unlikely in a Tudor household. Again may have been there as a movie “easter egg”. Lets face it sex sells and the history of the period suffers.