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Beautiful scenes, actors, and surprisingly acurate storytelling
Open-minded, character-lover, a woman, Likes to be entertained, a fan of clever plots, watching chick flicks, an avid TV watcher, practical
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MAY
17
2008
I was hooked from the beginning.
Premise of The Tudors
(to save time this is a BRIEF overview of Seasons 1-2)
It is,obviously, the story of King Henry VIII, played beautifully by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The show begins as he is already King, married to his deceased brothers wife, Katherine of Aragon. They have a young daughter, Mary. By the time the show begins, he has already lost interest in his wife, and has many mistresses. Then he meets Anne Boleyn. He falls in love with her, has his marriage to Katherine annulled, much to her and a lot of other peoples disdain, and winds up marrying a pregnant Anne Boelyn in a secret ceremony after banishing Katherine and Mary from court.
Season 1 was almost entirely about King Henry and Anne Boelyn's love affair. Season 2, while it has been about that as well, has also focused on King Henry VIII dismantling of the catholic church and his becoming the head of the Church of England. It also focuses on his relationship with his best friend, Charles Brandon:Duke of Suffolk, Thomas Cromwell, his chief minister, and many other people. It focuses on the fact that King Henry is desperate for a male heir, and his first wife, Katherine, bore him a daughter, Mary. Anne also bore him a daughter, Elizabeth. While he loves his daughter Elizabeth, he needs a son to success him as King. When Anne has a miscarriage, it doesn't bode well for her. She begins to go a little crazy, and he begins to have affairs and take mistresses. She gets pregnant again, this time with a son....only to lose it too.
You don't have to be a history buff to know the rest of this story....
My review
I think this show is beautifully written and beautifully acted. You couldn't ask for better scenery or costumes. I even went on-line and researched the story of King Henry VIII. I wanted to know what he really looked like, as well as his wives and other people in his life....lets just say Thank God for Hollywood! He most definitely was not nearly as attractive as Jonathan Rhys-Meyer, the actor who plays him. Neither was his wives, Katherine of Aragon, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy, and the beautiful and talented Natalie Dormer, who plays Anne Boelyn, and of course the gorgeous Henry Cavill, who plays Charles Brandon, King Henry's childhood and closest friend is worlds better looking than the actual Charles Brandon!!
But, surprisingly, the story is mostly accurate. Of course, they "hollywood" it up a bit, as any show (or movie) does, but, as I read about the story after I googled it, it was eerily accurate on most everything.
When I watch this show, I am fascinated by the beauty that surrounds these characters. I hear them talk of Windsor Castle, and Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel, as it was happening during this time. I see the history of England unfolding before my eyes. I imagine what it must be like to stand in those castles now, that are still standing, and steeped in history. To stand in the very rooms that King Henry VIII stood in the 1500's!!! Could you imagine!?
About all I know of the Royal Family is what I read in gossip magazines or see on TV. The Queen comes to America for a visit, she has a photo shoot, Princess Diana tragically dies in a car accident, but, as I watch this show, I can see all of the history that came before these people. It's an amazing thing to imagine.
This show helps me to see it as it unfolded.
I'm not saying that and English scholar would watch this show and say "Yep, that's exactly how it happened", but, for someone who wasn't a history buff as a kid, I'll take it!
The Tudors is recommended by VolFanGrl
Comments about VolFanGrl’s Review
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