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      Henry VIII and His Six Wives

      PG 1972 2h 5m History Drama List
      Reviews 78% Audience Score 100+ Ratings The 16th-century English king (Keith Michell) recalls Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Rampling), Jane Seymour and other wives on his deathbed. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Judith Crist New York Magazine/Vulture With yeoman direction by Waris Hussein, the film is, in sum, a thinking-man's spectacular, with something, of course, to please even the non-thinkers. Oct 2, 2019 Full Review John Simon Esquire Magazine Historical pageants may be fine for high-school graduation ceremonies, but since none of the performers in this film is likely to be your son or daughter, why bother with it? Jul 23, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Lee C Fantastic! Excellent (probably the greatest ever) portrayal of the infamous king! Michell is majestic with a superb supporting cast! No special effects, just make up and pure talent! Simply brilliant! A lesson for all actors today on how it should be done! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Audience Member King Henry is on his deathbed and recounts his life with his many wives Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member In 1970, The Six Wives of Henry VIII was a huge ratings winner on the BBC, to the point where EMI bought the option to do a film version. They employed Waris Hussein (Melody (1971) to direct the film. Also brought over was the original producer from the series Mark Shivas as well as Ian Thorne, who had written one episode that won an award. It's a powerful and compelling drama with some lovely sets and some very good performances too. It begins with Henry VIII (Keith Michell) on his death bed, looking back on his life, and the Six Wives he wed. Beginning with Catherine of Aragon (Frances Cuka), who gave him a daughter, so he divorced her and married Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Rampling) who gave him another daughter, so Henry had her executed, he marries Jane Seymour (Jane Asher) who gives him a son, but she dies afterwards. Henry then marries Anne of Cleves (Jenny Bos), who Henry hates and divorces her, he has less luck with Catherine Howard (Lynne Frederick), who is unfaithful, but his final wife Catherine Parr (Barbara Leigh-Hunt) becomes his widow. It's a powerful adaptation, with Michell reprising his role from the TV series, it has lovely cinematography by Peter Suschitzky, and a good supporting cast including Donald Pleasence, Michael Gough and Brian Blessed. You don't get historical films like this now. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Probably Keith Michell's finest hour as he's superb as England's most famous Tudor King. It's a worthy costume drama in its own right and although each marriage is only given a short screen time the story of Henry's marital life is well represented. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member The best Henry VIII film by far. Takes several hours to watch all episodes. Really creepy 1970s-style sets and camera work which reminded me of the Carol Burnet Show. It takes about an hour to get used to the sets. Once you are, its a fine drama about the biggest pimp ever. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Makes Henry look like a foolish old man at times and hints that his mood swings are the result of illness, perhaps syphilis. This version also brings to light some other rumors you won't see in films like "The Other Boleyn Girl" - like Anne's having a 6th finger on one hand. Interesting if not historically accurate. And it's nice to get a glimpse of the other women in his life. Fine performances all around. Even Donald Pleasance, playing the much-hated Thomas Cromwell, manages to evoke sympathy at one point. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Henry VIII and His Six Wives

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis The 16th-century English king (Keith Michell) recalls Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Rampling), Jane Seymour and other wives on his deathbed.
      Director
      Waris Hussein
      Screenwriter
      Ian Thorne
      Production Co
      Anglo-EMI, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      2h 5m