Travis Simpkins: Henry VIII

Saturday, February 24, 2018

The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933): Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester

Directed by Alexander Korda, The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) was a major international success and helped establish the careers of both the director and it's star, Charles Laughton. The story follows the drama of the several marriages of King Henry VIII and his wives. Wonderful 16th Century period details mix with superb acting to create an enjoyable historical atmosphere. Charles Laughton is great in the title role as King Henry VIII. The supporting cast is good as well, including Elsa Lanchester, Binnie Barnes and Robert Donat.

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Charles Laughton

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Ann Boleyn

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Charles Laughton

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Elsa Lanchester

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Robert Donat

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Charles Laughton

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton

The Private Life of Henry VIII. 1933: Charles Laughton

Saturday, March 12, 2016

A Man for All Seasons (1966): Sir Thomas More and King Henry VIII

Produced and directed by Fred Zinnemann, based on the 1960 play by Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons (1966) swept the major Academy Award categories… winning Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The story, set between 1529 and 1535, concerns Sir Thomas More's refusal to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul the marriage of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon… and More's resulting execution on the charge of treason. Naturally, some liberties are taken with the historical facts. Paul Scofield deservedly won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as the tragic hero, Sir Thomas More. Robert Shaw is powerful as King Henry VIII. The supporting cast is great as well, including Orson Welles as Cardinal Wolsey, Leo McKern as Thomas Cromwell, Nigel Davenport as the Duke of Norfolk, John Hurt as Richard Rich, Vanessa Redgrave as Anne Boleyn, Cyril Luckham as Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Wendy Hiller and Susannah York.