"The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (1970) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 January 1970 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

The legendary, BAFTA award-winning BBC historical drama!

Plot:

A six-episode dramatization of Henry VIII's relationships with each of his six wives. Each episode is devoted to one wife, and is a complete play in itself.

Plot Keywords:

Tudor | Royalty | Royal Family | King | England

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Keith Michell	...	Henry VIII (6 episodes, 1970)
Anthony Quayle	...	Narrator (6 episodes, 1970)
Patrick Troughton	...	Duke of Norfolk (5 episodes, 1970)
Bernard Hepton	...	Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (4 episodes, 1970)
Sheila Burrell	...	Lady Rochford (3 episodes, 1970)
Basil Dignam	...	Bishop Gardiner (3 episodes, 1970)
Wolfe Morris	...	Thomas Cromwell (3 episodes, 1970)
Angela Pleasence	...	Catherine Howard (2 episodes, 1970)
Anne Stallybrass	...	Jane Seymour (2 episodes, 1970)
Dorothy Tutin	...	Anne Boleyn (2 episodes, 1970)
Daniel Moynihan	...	Edward Seymour (Lord Hertford) (2 episodes, 1970)
John Ronane	...	Thomas Seymour (2 episodes, 1970)
Howard Goorney	...	Will Somers (2 episodes, 1970)
Patrick Godfrey	...	Sir Thomas Wriothesley (2 episodes, 1970)
Alison Frazer	...	Princess Mary (2 episodes, 1970)
Edward Atienza	...	Eustache Chapuys (2 episodes, 1970)

Runtime:

USA:540 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: In the "Anne Boleyn" chapter, at 12:11 (dancing scene) the boom mic is visibly seen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cult of...: The Onedin Line (#2.5)" (2008)

Hypnotic for lovers of drama, romance, and history

I first saw this BBC production at 13 in 1971, and was simply fascinated. I have seen it several times since, and it's always fresh and interesting to watch. Keith Mitchell is excellent as Henry VIII, and I found no fault with the acting or history of the series. Well-cast, well-acted. I must say that my favorite episodes were Dorothy Tutin as Anne Boleyn and the very unfortunate young Katherine Howard, played by Angela Pleasence. I was surprised that she is the daughter of of Donald Pleasance. All of the episodes are outstanding, and are educational as well. Keith Mitchell plays Henry the VIII with all the conceited, bombastic, loving, hating and self-indulging qualities that history describes him as having. A must-see for lovers of drama, romance, and English History. 10 out of 10 stars easily.