Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
Charles Laughton won an Oscar for this performance as the much-married monarch, in a film which remains one of the UK's greatest international successes. Picking up Henry's reign after his betrothal to Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon), wife number two, this Alexander Korda-directed costume epic follows the progress of the King's subsequent marriages to Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie), Anne of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester), Katherine Howard (Binnie Barnes), and the woman who outlived him, Catherine Parr (Everley Gregg).
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Private Life of Henry VIII is great rip-roaring fun, racing through Henry's last five marriages in an hour-and-a-half (an opening caption explaining the first was too dull to bother with). More gossip than history, the performances are spot-on, from Charles Laughton's Henry, setting the benchmark for all other actors attacking the role, to the servants below stairs who act as an earthy chorus to the royal bedhopping. The wives fare pretty well, Merle Oberon making a strong impression in her brief pre-execution scenes as Ann Boleyn and Elsa Lanchester's outrageously comic turn as Ann of Cleves particular standouts. Impossible not to enjoy, why can't modern British period pieces have this much zest and be this much fun?
While there are many NTSC public domain versions available of varying quality, Network's official PAL DVD boasts much better picture quality.
While there are many NTSC public domain versions available of varying quality, Network's official PAL DVD boasts much better picture quality.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This was the film that really put British cinema on the map, and there are some masterful performances. The most noticeable are Charles Laughton (Henry VIII), Merle Oberon (Anne Boleyn) and Binnie Barnes (Catherine Howard.) However despite the lavish costumes (especially Oberon's and Barnes') the film was severely lacking in historical depth. The jovial Henry VIII played by Laughton was very far removed from the vicious tyrant of historical fact and the sultry temptress Catherine Howard was in historical fact a rather stupid and naive teenager.
Despite this it is a pleasure to watch good costume, hilarious in parts, touching in others (especially Anne Boleyn's death and the love-scenes between Culpepper and Catherine) and on a rainy afternoon it's great to sit down with it and a plate of chips and a good friend!
Despite this it is a pleasure to watch good costume, hilarious in parts, touching in others (especially Anne Boleyn's death and the love-scenes between Culpepper and Catherine) and on a rainy afternoon it's great to sit down with it and a plate of chips and a good friend!
By LIZDOG
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Did we really watch or make films like this - Worth to watch for Laughton shows his fine acting skills much
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 27 reviews
3.6 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great performances
Top acting from Mr and Mrs Laughton.Funny/tragic script.Feelgood movie.Binnie Barnes excellent also.Charles wpm best actor for this, well deserved.A must for a collection.
Published 3 months ago by concerned shopper 1
3.0 out of 5 stars
Henry VIII, with Charles Laughton could have been much better.;.
The above movie is a classic and a brilliant piece of acting by a consummate talent. However the quality of the original could have been greatly enhanced if it had been digitally... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Albert
4.0 out of 5 stars
historical shenanigins
Dont expect historical correctness here but sit back and enjoy the ride.Theres some very funny moments in this as well as drama. Read more
Published on 19 July 2010 by R. Poole
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Private Life of Henry VIII [DVD] [1933]
Excellent classic movie. If you ain't seen it you don't know what youa are missing
Published on 3 Jun 2009 by A. Norris
2.0 out of 5 stars
LOVERS OF HISTORICAL DRAMAS SHOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE...
This is a somewhat disappointing historical drama, directed by Alexander Korda. While Charles Laughton does, indeed, give an excellent performance as Henry VIII, the film suffers... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2002 by Lawyeraau
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
