When they did the second version of the Robert Bolt play, obviously the producers decided to stick closer with the original script of what people had seen in the theater on stage rather than adapted for the screen like I've been done in 1966. Charlton Heston is here in probably one of his last great performances as Sir Thomas More, the nobleman sentenced to death for daring to question the King Henry VIII on his decision to divorce his first wife and marry again. Martin Chamberlain is different from most of the screen King Hal's I've seen, still fairly young and not the turkey leg eating glutton that most movies present. After all, he was just getting rid of his first wife and had five more to go. Vanessa Redgrave is More's wife, hysterically nagging him at one point yet loving him deeply even though they fight constantly. Ironically, she had a small role in the 1966 film. Adrienne Thomas is their daughter, going through her own youthful romantic problems so she really isn't aware of the goings-on politically until it's too late.
In a small role (but getting billing about the title and his picture on the advertisement) John Gielgud is Cardinal Wolsey who spends the first quarter of the film arguing with Heston over the issue, and makes the most of his limited role. Roy Kinnear, one of the great unsung British character actors, narrates the play, speaking directly to the viewer as if he were an actor looking out to the audience and breaking the fourth wall. Through him, you get to learn the various characters and their place in history and their relationship to More and King Henry. The composer of the music is ironically the king himself, and it's actually quite pleasant to listen to.
I wouldn't call this a great film because it is more like something you'd see on PBS or the BBC rather than a major cable channel like TNT, but it is an interesting concept, reminiscent of the type of plays that would be filmed for TV back in the 50's. Of course, the production is a lot more opulent and and beautiful color with great costumes and fine production values all around. Heston is relishing the opportunity to play this part, and is very subtle, something that was lacking in most of his later performances. Here, he's playing a historical character, and not trying to chew his way out of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Redgrave is funny and moving, and her last seen with Heston is quite tender. Richard Johnson, Benjamin Whitrow and John Hudson round out the fine supporting cast. Even though this took place several centuries after "The Lion in Winter", the tone of the film is very similar to that 1968 classic. While it is mostly conversation and very little action, it is a great history lesson and a reminder of the division necessary between church and state.
In a small role (but getting billing about the title and his picture on the advertisement) John Gielgud is Cardinal Wolsey who spends the first quarter of the film arguing with Heston over the issue, and makes the most of his limited role. Roy Kinnear, one of the great unsung British character actors, narrates the play, speaking directly to the viewer as if he were an actor looking out to the audience and breaking the fourth wall. Through him, you get to learn the various characters and their place in history and their relationship to More and King Henry. The composer of the music is ironically the king himself, and it's actually quite pleasant to listen to.
I wouldn't call this a great film because it is more like something you'd see on PBS or the BBC rather than a major cable channel like TNT, but it is an interesting concept, reminiscent of the type of plays that would be filmed for TV back in the 50's. Of course, the production is a lot more opulent and and beautiful color with great costumes and fine production values all around. Heston is relishing the opportunity to play this part, and is very subtle, something that was lacking in most of his later performances. Here, he's playing a historical character, and not trying to chew his way out of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Redgrave is funny and moving, and her last seen with Heston is quite tender. Richard Johnson, Benjamin Whitrow and John Hudson round out the fine supporting cast. Even though this took place several centuries after "The Lion in Winter", the tone of the film is very similar to that 1968 classic. While it is mostly conversation and very little action, it is a great history lesson and a reminder of the division necessary between church and state.