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Anne Of The Thousand Days [1969]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

This lush, perfectly cast 1969 drama concerns both a doomed, royal love affair and a pivotal moment in British history. Based on Maxwell Anderson's 1948 play, Anne of the Thousand Days concerns the mess that surrounded King Henry VIII's decision to rid himself of his first wife, Catherine of Aragon (Irene Papas), and marry the young Anne Boleyn (Geneviève Bujold). Most British viewers know what happened next: Henry (Richard Burton) solved his problems with the Vatican's condemnation of divorce by having himself named head of the Church of England (see also A Man for All Seasons), while Anne's perceived problem conceiving a male heir made her vulnerable to plots by the nefarious likes of Thomas Cromwell (John Colicos). Director Charles Jarrott does a splendid job bringing all of these intrigues to life, though the story is ultimately about Anne, a naïve young woman who prepares herself to navigate some of the dangers of Henry's court. Bujold and Burton never gave better performances, and this strange, tragic chapter in the history of the kings of England has never been more compellingly told on film. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

Editorial
Synopsis

This lavish costume drama tells of King Henry VIII's infatuation with Anne Boleyn. For her hand, the King defied the Vatican and established the Church of England in order to obtain a divorce from his wife.

Anne Boleyn: forever fascinating - a star stutted costume drama winning several awards - even after 40 years worthwhile watching
Review date: 2008-05-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

"Anne of the Thousand Days" is a 1969 costume drama directed by Charles Jarrott. The film is based on the Broadway play with the same title of 1948. It had to wait over 20 years to be filmed because the themes of adultery, illegitimacy, and incest would not have been acceptable to the production code. In the main roles are Richard Burton as King Henry VIII and Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn. Irene Papas plays Catherine of Aragon.

The film received 10 Oscar nominations in 1970, but won only one for Best Costume Design. 7 Golden Globe nominations, winning four, including Best Motion Picture Actress -Drama - for Geneviève Bujold and Best Motion Picture - Drama - already indicates this is a great movie. The movie captivates its audience straight away and befenits from great acting skills and of course the magnificient costumes. It tells the story of Anne Boleyn fairly accuratly and captures the drama of the day the time perfectly. A movie to be enjoyed, even if nearly 40 years old.





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Reviews


A Pleasant discovery
Review date: 2007-11-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

I knew nothing about this DVD before I found it on Amazon under the items recommended for me. I am glad I bought it. This is a great DVD detailing the courtship and marriage of Anne Boleyn to Henry V111; Her rise from commoner to queen; the political intrigues and ruse pervading Henry's court; the politics behind the break away from the church in Rome and the birth of the Church of England; the birth of her daughter Elizabeth and her failure to give him the promised son; her downfall and beheading in the tower of London.

This provided a great review of history and pleasant entertainment for my family and I. The acting was of stellar performance. The costumes and the setting gave it a rich and colourful tone. I particularly liked the rich and colourful costumes. I was not surprised to discover the movie earned a well deserved Oscar for the costumes.

It was not just a great history lesson; this movie is so well written and acted. Richard Burton gave an excellent performance as Henry V111 as did Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn. I would like to recommend this movie to anyone who loves good historical movies with superb script and stellar cast.





Super film
Review date: 2007-10-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

Anne Of The Thousand Days shows the life of QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN.
What I think is the best part of this film is how it shows Anne as a real person.

This is a film that can be watched by the whole family - it is not just a history lesson. After being out of print for years I am really pleased to be able to order a copy.

A pleasant portray of Anne Boleyn by Bujold
Review date: 2007-08-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

'Anne of The Thousand Days',starring Richard Burton as Henry VIII and Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn concerns the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second, and most controversial wife. The film surprisingly takes a sympathetic approach to a woman who has received much disdain throughout history and fiction. Anne Boleyn spent a considerable amount of her childhood and adolescence in France in Francis I's court, so it is interesting having the French Bujold play Anne. While Richard Burton gives, as usual, an enthusiastic and powering performance, he appears too old to play Henry and it is often hard to see why in the film he keeps viewing himself as a young monarch burdened with an older wife (Catherine of Aragon). But in terms of acting, the cast is, on the whole, faultless and the costumes are sumptuous.

The film is really only concerned with Anne's rise to power, her eventual love for the king and her downfall. Sadly the film doesn't focus much upon her time as queen and makes out that the birth of Elizabeth marked the beginning of her downfall. However this opinion was one endorsed back in the 1960s (when the film was made) therefore it is hard to attack the film for its incorrect approach. The film also simplifies Henry's arduous divorce from Catherine, yet in fairness no production on this period can portray the divorce procedure correctly and fully.

Overall though 'Anne of The Thousand Days' is a great type of `afternoon movie' and one that can be watched by all the family. Perhaps its greatest quality is presenting a woman, who has suffered much misinterpretation throughout the centuries, as more humane and ultimately as a victim to sixteenth century politics and desires.


Treading the field of gold
Review date: 2007-02-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film evokes wonderfully the darkness and machinations underlying the splendour of Henry's court, in a way that even equals A Man for All Seasons. Bujold's Anne is a brilliant rendering of the strong, spirited woman who beguiled and held Henry at bay before finally succumbing to the aura surrounding his majesty. Her emotional journey through to final betrayal by the man she has come to love, is hauntingly echoed by Irene Papas' portrayal, on the margins of the story, of Henry's discarded Queen Catherine. Burton's Henry is basically a philanderer who justifies his behaviour in the eyes of God by the need to father a male successor. Savage and sensitive, a poet yet a murderer - Burton plumbs the depths of his evil and self-deception. Anne's bravery and detachment when facing death; her spineless father - nicely captured by Michael Hordern; Anthony Quayle's corrupt, ruthless and yet oddly sympathetic Wolsey: it all leaves a vivid and often historically accurate impression of a story that will never lose its hold.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Richard Burton
John Colicos
Anthony Quayle
Irene Papas
Geneviève Bujold

Creators:
Richard Burton (Primary Contributor)
Geneviève Bujold (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582413793
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-03-06
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 140 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1970-08-27
Language: English (Original Language)

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