The Six Wives of Henry VIII
List Price:
Our Price: $46.99
You Save: $22.99 (33%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $33.85 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Anthony Quayle, Bernard Hepton, Keith Michell, Patrick Troughton, Sheila BurrellBrand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Box set, Color
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 540 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-05-16
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Warner
DVD Reviews of The Six Wives of Henry VIII
DVD Review: The Six Wives of Henry VIII as seen on PBS in the mid 70's
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellently done and historically accurate. For an English History Major, this is a must. There are a few camera mistakes, but you can overlook this because the drama keeps true to historical fact. This would be an excellent teaching aide. DVD Review: The Six Wives Of Henry V111
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a 3 disc series, plus a bonus disc of the life of Mary Boleyn.
The series is brilliantly acted by everyone. It is accurate regarding clothing, hair styles, etc. Pains were taken to ensure that the actors closely resembled the historical figures according to their portraits.
Henry was visibly aged as the years went by.
Those having prurient interest will be a little disappointed, as Henry apparently was a private man regarding his personal sexual exploits.
This is a more historical performance, full of political intrigue, jockeying for power, and using daughters to achieve political power.
The series is excellent in every way.
Highly recommended.I can't wait to see it again.
DVD Review: A Life in Six Acts..
Summary: 4 Stars
The precursor to another fantastic BBC production (Elizabeth R. with Glenda Jackson), "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" chronicles the life of the volatile and controversial Tudor monarch. 6 series, written by 6 authors, showcase Henry VIII from a young boy of around 8, to the disease-riddled, corpulent and (rather) pitiful king of 55 (almost 56) upon his death.
Keith Michell plays the titular character to astounding perfection. Highlighting his extreme moodiness (when he was up, he was way UP, when he was down, he liked to BEHEAD), limitless power in his own kingdom, Michell's Henry VIII was a veritable enigma of a man and monarch. The casting choice of Michell was spot on, and the costuming/makeup departments must be commended for their close attention to detail. The aging process of Michell's King Hal is fantastic (I especially enjoyed the quite hefty Henry-in his later years-being hoisted onto his horse by a pulley system).
The women playing his wives are an especial treat. Annette Crosbie (Katherine of Aragon) and Dorothy Tutin (Anne Boleyn) may have been too mature looking to play a 15 and 19 year old respectively, but both are pitch perfect as they play these powerful women in their later years. Tutin's lightly accented English (which Anne Boleyn was noted for, due to her years spent in the courts of Austria and France) was quite a nice touch for the production and research teams.
Anne Stallybrass (Jane Seymour) truly captured Henry's 3rd queen's quiet and meek spirit. Speaking barely above a whisper, and averting her gaze constantly, she transforms herself into the plainest of Henry's consorts (although, supposedly, his most "beloved"-although that may have been due to the fact that her son, Edward VI, survived). Elvi Hale (Anne of Cleves) provides the most comic relief during her entire screen time. Utilizing a (ridiculous) German accent, her facial expressions belie her every emotion. I had a laughing fit when she views Henry in his "courtier's" garb for the first time and says "oh!!" Absolute hilarity.
Wife number five, Angela Pleasance (Catherine Howard), exhibits a bit of a mean streak against her housemates, and lies to her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, about her virtue. The only wife of Henry VIII to actually "stray," Pleasance shows a fine maturity for such a young actress. Finally, Rosalie Crutchley (Catherine Parr) is a paragon of virtue, learning, and family life. The queen responsible for bringing Elizabeth I back into Henry's good graces, does not want to marry him, but does her duty, and finds herself extremely fond of her husband, and devastated (in her own way) upon his passing.
The BBC probably spared no expense (in 1973 currency) during the filming of "The Six Wives of Henry VIII," but the film does show the wear of time. Restoration would enhance the color and sound quality, but this is still a 4.5 star effort because of the extremely talented cast and the lovely detailed touches of the crew.
DVD Review: Six Wives of Henry VIII
Summary: 4 Stars
This production may seem a little dated, but it is very well-acted. The costumes became more elaborate with each segment. I enjoyed the segments with scenes shot outdoors. The others seems more like theater. We enjoyed it. The Jane Seymour episode was my favorite.DVD Review: Best Viewing of the Life of Henry VIII and his Queens/ The standard to which all others should be compared!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so glad to hear this series is now available on DVD!! I recall watching this wonderful series on our little 19" black and white TV in 1971 and have raved about it to people ever since whenever anything Tudor-related is brought up. The acting was so good, and the history of the times was respected.
One reviewer mentioned that the DVD needed freshening. Hers was a 2000 release, while this is a 2006 release, btw.
It got me hooked on Tudor history. Since then in my opinion, its hard to find anything in film or historical non-fiction books that don't make me want to wince...or worse.
Phillipa Gregory should be ashamed of herself, I think anyway. The only good thing about her books being best-sellers is perhaps some people will go on to read better written, more accurate Tudor history or historical fiction.
As for other older films: "Man of All Seasons" feels dated, as does "Anne of a Thousand Days" but they're at least good entries into the field, and were well made. Glenda Jackson's "Elizabeth I" sold as a package with the "Six Wives of Henry VIII" was excellent, though I read in reviews it appears more dated than the Henry VIII films do. Its's nevertheless a great acting experience to watch.
I found the two Elizabeth movies starring Cate Blanchett released in the last few years to be discouraging. Many things were correct historically: the lovely clothes, the feel of the great icy cold castles, the constant fear of being "out of favor" and risking death thereby; but others were so far off, it felt like a "just miss" to me.
....Of course, wondering how serious Elizabeth's relationship with Robert Dudley was is one of those popular and never-to-be-known historical questions. That movie, however, with its' silly concept that Elizabeth I decided to recreate herself as the "VIRGIN QUEEN" for all time; a sort of symbol for...something..is ludicrous. She certainly spent a lot of time considering marriage for someone determined to be remembered as the "Virgin Queen".
The movie made from the Phillipa Gregory book....much was historically based but SO MUCH was based on rumor and theory---some from the time of the Tudors themselves. Its' too distressing. Makes me feel how I felt when I first read the "DaVinci Code". History for the lowest common denominator, and wild theories presented as facts...!
In this "Six Wives of Henry VIII" series, at last we have available good acting, good story telling, honest history, (so far as it is known) and a story that really holds you. Henry's tragedy, his desire for a son and heir, changed all of English history and perhaps even that of W.Europe, as he threw over Catholicism to allow him to marry a younger woman who might give him a son. The tragedies build up, as each queen has some flaw, major or minor, that he cannot abide. THEY of course, were even more tragic figures, losing one's head is after all a bigger tragedy than someone's longing for a male heir. But the women are seen as minor creatures in the big play of history while Henry VIII remains important, a major factor in events of his time and even down to ours, due to his decision to remake the entire religion (and in some ways the culture) of his lands.
A well written, well acted piece of film craft that anyone who is interested in that era should own.
Description of The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 05/16/2006 Rating: NrA British television series originally broadcast on CBS (and rebroadcast on PBS) in America in 1971, The Six Wives of Henry VIII remains a painless way to learn something about royal history and its impact on the political and religious landscape of England. Keith Michell stars as King Henry VIII, who assumes the throne as a boy after the death of his older brother and inherits the latter's Spanish betrothed, Catherine of Aragon (Annette Crosbie), as well. Growing up and increasingly complicated in personality, with an ever-growing appetite for elusive happiness as well as power and food, Henry maneuvers (and is maneuvered by) forces around him to break from Rome and create the Church of England, in part to accommodate his wish for a divorce.
Each story of the king's successive brides takes up an entire episode in the series. Dorothy Tutin plays the doomed Anne Boleyn, Anne Stallybrass is Henry's favorite, Jane Seymour, Elvi Hale is Anne of Cleves, Angela Pleasence is Catherine Howard, and Rosalie Crutchley plays last-in-line Catherine Parr. A very large and fine supporting cast adds intrigue and extra layers of tragedy to the proceedings, especially John Baskcomb as Cardinal Wolsey, Wolfe Morris as Thomas Cromwell, and Ralph Bates as Thomas Culpepper. Each 90-minute episode was crafted by a different writer, but the series holds together very well under Keith Michell's dazzling performance as the despicable if sympathetic Henry, whose emotional arc over many years and losses is something to see. --Tom Keogh
General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Frost/ NixonUniversal; Release date: 2009-04-21; DVD
Best price: $11.39
Price in other shops:
Lost in AustenImage Entertainment; Release date: 2009-04-14; DVD
Best price: $14.98
Price in other shops:
AustraliaTwentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-03-03; DVD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
DoubtRelease date: 2009-04-07; DVD
Best price: $14.43
Price in other shops:
True Blood: The Complete First Season (HBO Series)Release date: 2009-05-19; DVD
Best price: $38.99
Price in other shops:
FireproofSony; Release date: 2009-01-27; DVD
Best price: $8.50
Price in other shops:
The ReaderGenius; Release date: 2009-04-14; DVD
Best price: $12.30
Price in other shops:
The WrestlerTwentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-04-21; DVD
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $10.55
Price in other shops:
Slumdog MillionaireTwentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $10.40
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Elizabeth - The Golden Age (Widescreen Edition)UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2008-02-05; DVD
Best price: $6.39
Price in other shops:
Elizabeth IWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-08-22; DVD
Best price: $10.65
Price in other shops:
I, Claudius/ The Epic That Never WasImage Entertainment; Release date: 2008-12-02; DVD
Best price: $30.98
Price in other shops:
The Wives of Henry VIIIRelease date: 2002-10-08; DVD
Best price: $19.25
Price in other shops:
Lady JaneParamount; Release date: 2003-02-18; DVD
Best price: $7.75
Price in other shops:
A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 2007-02-20; DVD
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
The Tudors - The Complete Second SeasonParamount; Release date: 2009-01-06; DVD
Best price: $19.93
Price in other shops:
The Tudors - The Complete First SeasonParamount; Release date: 2008-01-01; DVD
Best price: $19.60
Price in other shops:
Anne of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of ScotsUniversal; Release date: 2007-09-18; DVD
Best price: $11.36
Price in other shops:
Elizabeth RWarner Brothers; Release date: 2001-10-16; DVD
Best price: $52.02
Price in other shops: