Ana de los mil días

Around 1525 Henry VIII fell hopelessly in love with his wife's newly acquired maid-of-honor, Anne Boleyn. A seemingly uneventful, probably unimportant infatuation changed the history of England radically and the history of the world forever. Who in Great Britain at that time ever dreamed that the events unfolding in their king's castle was about to change their lives so much. And it's true. Henry VIII, fascinating in himself, probably didn't even realize what his love for this woman was going to mean. Has there ever been a more tantalizing historical figure to study? This man moved -- literally -- heaven and earth to win the heart of this reluctant, uncooperative, insignificant girl. And no one plays Henry better than Richard Burton, combining wit, cruelty, and selfishness in one unforgettable character. This movie is such a charmer, even if it does take some historical liberties. Bujold is superb as the spiteful, spoiled Boleyn. But even in her transformation in this film is tragedy: she goes from the crown to the block with such speed that even her "head" must have spun! Any student of Tudor history, or anyone just wanting to see a good-old-fashioned epic, will love this movie. I like to think that Burton comes the closest to portraying what Henry VIII must have really been like. But even if you don't like history, Tudor England, or the stars in this movie, watch it anyway. You'll be glad you were born when you were and NEVER the object of a king's love.

This magnificent and well-crafted historical costumer is set in Henry VIII (Richard Burton who garnered an Academy nomination and Golden Globe) age , concerning his life and lovers , and especially his relationship to Anne Boleyn . Based of the playwright by Maxwell Anderson which is particularly accurate as a history lesson . The origin conflict takes place when Catherine of Aragon (Irene Papas ) was previously married to Arthur , Henry VIII's older brother . Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (Anthony Quayle) was the most influential member of Henry's council , but Wolsey failed to obtain the Pope's permission for Henry 's new marriage to Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold , in her breakthrough international film role) . Wolsey came swiftly in distress and his possessions including the Palace of Hampton Court passed to King . Then Henry breaks with Catholic Church and secretly married Anne , creating the Anglican religion . When the King proclaimed himself as Head of the England Church was inevitable that Henry and Thomas Moro would clash . Those who stood in Henry's way , even those he claimed to love, invariably ended up on the scaffold and many catholic priests were led from their cells in the Tower of London and beheaded . Later on , Henry falls in love with a young favourite named Jane Seymour and he wishes to marry her . But the marriage to Anna did not last long and she was accused of adultery with his brother and four Communers .

Interesting screenplay based on the source stage play "Anne of the Thousand Days" by Maxwell Anderson that was originally produced on Broadway in New York at the Shubert Theatre, it describes "England between the years 1526 and 1536" . Dynamic performance by Richard Burton , though he hated both the film and his interpretation and was amazed when he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor . Burton had been the second actor to do so for playing Henry VIII, and the first to win for playing a role that someone else had already nominated an Oscar for playing the same character was actor Charles Laughton , he first played the monarch in 1933 for The private life of Henry VIII (1933) and won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance . Burton and Genevieve Bujold make an extraordinary battle of wits , they were two of the foremost talents of the time . Actresses Olivia Hussey, Julie Christie , and Faye Dunaway all turned down the role of Anne Boleyn , Hussey was the first choice for the part but she declined due to personal problems she was dealing with at the time , as the leading female part in the end was cast with French actress Geneviève Bujold who gives a marvelous acting . Understanding and charismatic acting by large secondary cast as John Colicos as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell , Irene Papas as suffering Catherine of Spain , Michael Hordern as Thomas Boleyn , Peter Jeffreys as Duke of Norfork , among others . It appears uncredited Elizabeth Taylor as masked courtesan in a lush ball , in fact she wanted to play Anne Boleyn, but was rejected as too old at age 37 .

Sumptuous cinematography by Arthur Ibbetson , reflecting glamorously the spectacular sets and luxurious gowns which won an Academy Award . Evocative and emotive musical score by Georges Delerue . Lavishly produced by Hal B Wallis, fitting accurately to Renaissance time , though the film received mixed reviews, it was a financial flop on release . This engrossing motion picture was brilliantly directed by Charles Jarrot who continued in similar style with ¨Mary queen of Scots¨, about Henry's great-niece, he directed two years later and again a wills duel , this time starred by Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth and Vanessa Redgrave as Mary Stuart .

With a surprisingly strong script and good performances, the film delivers as a late 1960s production that reveals a cinema that was in transition into the modern era. As a historical drama it deserved its one Oscar win and 9 other nominations. It avoids the plodding performances of most costume dramas of the time, while not quite delivering the stunning intimacy that was achieved by the BBC two years later in its landmark "Elizabeth R" mini-series 1971 - (achieved through micro-direction, dedication to detail and precision use of the small screen close-up - who ever said film is the same medium as broadcast television?)

Richard Burton turns in arguably the best performance of his career as Henry VIII. Had his performance revealed just a shade more gravitas and reflection, he surely would have picked up an Oscar.

I'm glad to say that British commercial TV managed to air a decent print of this picture over the Christmas season 2006, even though the cinema-scope frame edges were cut off. Well worth watching, but if you shop for a DVD, do make sure it is in the correct format so the full 35mm squeeze / 70mm letterbox frame is visible. A classic from the '60s and a rare achievement.

It is a memorable film, well nominated, exquisitely costumed. I like Richard Burton best of all in this one. He takes up the role of Henry VIII and gives it many subtle shades of feeling so that you almost understand what might have really transpired in such a king's turbulent soul. He was somewhere between a rock and a hard place and rushed headlong into history with his determined efforts to change the rules of kingship.

Anne Boleyn, here played by Genevieve Bujold, was caught up in these events and ultimately became a casualty of circumstances. I'm not a history buff so can't fill in the true story but it's obvious there was much political intrigue taking place. Also, it rather reminded me of "Othello" in which the ill-fated Desdemona was victimized by Iago's slander. Genevieve portrays Anne with deep conviction and her tremendous vehemence at times sweeps us along through happy moments as well as fiery clashes with family, king, and authorities.

I was enthralled by the excellent supporting actors who formed the king's entourage, and hope to know them by name one day. In particular was their exchange of witty dialogue in the captivating scene which ended in a reference to a "venison haunch." I believe one of these actors later appeared in "Mary, Queen of Scots" (1971) as I recognized the same wonderful voice, and I think it's Vernon Dobtcheff. Well, it's a bit of detective work I must do to confirm.

Anthony Quayle's portrayal of Cardinal Wolsey was right on. Oh the glories of power in high places, so many titled positions he held! Yet in the end the Cardinal could hold onto none of them in a true sense. I feel this is one role where Quayle really excelled as an actor and a very dramatic presence.

For me this film goes hand in hand with "A Man for All Seasons" and "Mary, Queen of Scots" for some great drama on screen.

King Henry VIII is the most Oscar-nominated character in history, having earned one for Charles Laughton who held chicken drumsticks like no on in "The Private Life of Henry VIII", his sole nomination for Robert Shaw who stole the show in "A Man of All Seasons" and last but not least to join that prestigious line-up: Richard Burton. Of the three, he might be the most sensible hence the least memorable. Henry was remembered for his flamboyance and exuberance and somewhat Burton decided to play him coolly yet with the vulnerability of a child bullied by a great divine instance that refuses him male heirs. After watching "Becket", I read Burton wished he could play the part of Henry who had a richer range of emotions, but the more I get into Burton, the more I feel his weary and contemplative approach to acting, he's got charisma and yet authority hardly emanates from his because he's too tormented to even control himself, which isn't too unwise an actor for a character like Henry VIII.

That's why his reign is just a darling for Hollywood. It has everything: obsession, love, lust, passion, hubris, politics, conspiracy, trials and many heads ending on the ballot. It's below-the-waist matters leading to the most pivotal episode of British history and producing one of its greatest monarchs Queen Elizabeth or as Pauline Kael put it "Anne's posthumous triumph". So, who needs books to learn about British monarchy history when you have Best Picture nominees (and occasional winners)? After having been inspired by Thomas More's integrity in "A Man of All Seasons", mesmerized by the rising charisma of "Elizabeth", now I feel like I almost completed my knowledge about Henry VIII's tumultuous reign with Charles Jarrott's "Anne of the Thousand Days", adapted from Maxwell Anderson's play. And I'm so proud to recognize some names like Norfolk or Cardinal Wosley (remarkably played by Anthony Quayle) And as Anne, Genevieve Bujold, is the perfect match for a Burtonesque character, a woman who can control the man who wants to control everything.

Anne is a young experienced girl, deprived of that virginity upon which the legend of her daughter would be built. She's lively and has a personality that throws sparkles all over the court. We first see her being lifted by her fiancé Lord Percy (Terence Wilton), she's in the air short enough so one head turns to her direction and notices her, it's the king. From that moment, he'll only have eyes for her. These three seconds are simply perfect and give that edge to cinema over the play where eye-language can't be perceptible. That look is the first brick to pave the road of a cultural revolution in Britain but it's handled in a rather trivial way. The Queen Catherine of Aragon, played in all matrimonial dignity by Irene Papas who specialized in roles of martyred wives, leaves the royal ball, the music stops but the King insists the show must go on. That scene find a powerful echo later in the film when Anne is the Queen and Henry starts having eyes on Jane Seymour, showing that the reign of Henry VII was all but a series of new beginnings.

The whole challenge of "Anne of the Thousand Days" is to make this transition from one Queen to another a riveting experience on both a human and political level, with Bujold's performance as a queen who wouldn't sell herself cheaply to a man who absolutely adores her is full of surprisingly unpredictable scenes. That Burton makes his King a little more accessible allows her to play 'hard to get', she has reasons to loathe him as she was prevented to marry her true love but on the other hand, she was advised not to give herself too easily for Henry would immediately renounce her. It is a slight possibility that she truly loved him and thus feigned indifference. And it is possible that Henry followed his courts' advisers to show his tender side. The film is a like a romantic game of hide-and-seek that hides graver diplomatic matters (with Spain and the Vatican) and one woman's personal ambition.

Anne wants to be the Queen and she promises sons if he can make her so and if he can't divorce Catherine, he'll use his power to cancel his wedding. It all can be summed up in Thomas More's warning to Norfolk "tell him what he ought to do, not what he's able to do". It's the most dangerous thing to tell a man such as Henry for what he can do because he'd realize sooner that he can do anything The catch is that Anne must fulfill her promise and if a king can make himself marry anyone, he can't control which chromosome he gives. The film is then a series of political machinery that all end up breaking on the wall of destiny: Henry can't have a male child, not one that can live after birth anyway. And divorce is like murder, one you do it once, the second time is no other and so.

The little weakness of the film is that we get from a passionate sequence between the two to Henry's immediate rejection of Anne after the second "failed birth" and so her demise seems rather abrupt, not as smooth as Thomas More's slow descent in disgrace in "A Man for All Seasons", but then-again Burton's performance redeems these flaws as he never really displays true hatred, he's just a man who wants to convince himself that he's doing the right thing. And Anne is not a heroine either, she has the blood of purer souls in her hands but it was worth having the future of England in her womb. The film is the collisions of two dangerous convictions: "I will have a son", "I will bear the future monarch of England", guess who was right?