The Private Life of Henry VIII

Title:

Genres:

History , Drama

Companies:

London Films Productions, United Artists

Countries:

United Kingdom

Release Date:

1933-08-17

Runtime:

Languages:

English

Status:

Released

Tagline:

HE GAVE HIS WIVES A PAIN IN THE NECK, And did his necking with an axe. Henry, the Eighth Wonder of the World! And this picture...the wonder of all time!

Overview

Renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn, his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour, but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.

CastView All Credits

Charles Laughto

Henry VIII

Robert Donat

Thomas Culpeper

Franklin Dyall

Thomas Cromwell

Miles Mander

Wriothesley

Laurence Hanray

Archbishop Cranmer

William Austin

Duke of Cleves

Backdrops And Posters View All Images

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Movie Reviews

CinemaSerf

Charles Laughton well deserved his only Oscar for this wonderfully over the top, rumbustious portrayal of Henry VIII as he embarks on his infamous spree of wives. "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" goes the mnemonic - this version skips the first wife describing her as a "decent woman" but he quickly works his way through Merle Oberon, Wendy Barrie, Binnie Barnes before Everley Gregg finally gets his measure as Katherine Parr. His real-life wife Elsa Lanchester is easily the best of the five as Anne of Cleves - her facial expressions and one-liners are great. Robert Donat is good as the frustrated Culpeper and the scenes with the two executioners bring a smile to your face too. The score has a vivacious jollity to it - and helps carry the whole thing along in a sprightly fashion. Great stuff.