The Tudors - Complete Season 1-4 [DVD]

This epic series spanning 38 episodes tells the well-known story of Henry VIII and his six wives. Although not always 100% historically accurate, the artistic license used is understandable as different interpretations of history are possible after 400 years.The series is overflowing with plots and counter plots – all of the characters are in danger at one time or another. Inside Henry VIII’s court, illicit romantic liaisons dominate proceedings. Men and women risk their reputations and even their lives to indulge in passionate affairs and relationships.The battle of religions is a constant theme – Henry VIII moving away from Catholic Rome towards his own self-created and ever-changing version of the Protestant faith. Many ingenious ways are found to torture and kill both guilty and innocent people, including burning at the stake, hanging, beheading and the most gruesome of all – being hung, drawn and quartered. The execution scenes of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard are emotive and dramatic.Outside the court, events focus on the recurring European battles and political strategizing against France, Spain and Portugal. Words can never be trusted, and invasion always seems likely. Closer to home, Henry VIII attacks northern England hard with bloody and gruesome force when they keep protesting against his rule.The biggest talking point relating to the actors is Jonathan Rhys Meyers portrayal of Henry VIII. Unlike Charles Laughton in “The Private Life Of Henry VIII” or Robert Shaw in “A Man For All Seasons”, Meyers is relatively short in height, quite slight in build, and had short dark hair and little facial hair – not the classic look for Henry VIII. Although Meyers played his part with great gusto and energy, you are left feeling that an actor who more physically resembled the real king would have been more effective. And, Meyers looks bizarrely young in the first three series, not really representing the true look of the king at that time.All of the queens are excellent in their own different ways. Maria Doyle Kennedy convincingly portrays the loyal and dutiful Catherine of Aragon, and Natalie Dormer wonderfully captures the coquettish Anne Boleyn. The king’s favourite wife Jane Seymour is enchantingly played by the sultry Annabelle Wallis, and the luckiest queen of all – Anne of Cleves – is amusingly portrayed by Joss Stone, complete with a German accent. The nymph-like Tamzin Merchant is alluring as the ill-fated Catherine Howard. And the last queen standing is Catherine Parr, maturely played by Joely Richardson.There are many other incredible contributions from Peter O’Toole as Pope Paul III complete with a Latin speech that he had memorized, Sam Neill brilliantly plays the troubled and doomed Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and Henry Cavill is appealing as Charles Brandon. Also, Jeremy Northam wonderfully captures the quiet pious Thomas More, and James Frain is menacing as the self-centred and at times evil Thomas Cromwell.The set decoration is fantastic – incredibly atmospheric images of Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle and Hever Castle. The interiors are set in natural light from windows or from flickering candle light. Many of the tense and gruesome scenes are filmed in very low light which adds to their scariness and reality. The costumes are wonderful throughout – very detailed with a range of colours and fabrics appropriate to the Tudor times.The series overflows with extras, including intriguing interviews with actors, writer, director and analysis and commentary from historians. In addition, the tour of Hampton Court Palace is well worth watching.Overall, “The Tudors” is a fantastic series – full of twisting meandering plots, and filled with illicit romance and political strategizing. The only question mark is whether Jonathan Rhys Meyers was the right man for Henry VIII. On balance, he probably was not. Will The Real Henry VIII Please Stand Up?

I absolutely love this series, I had watched it about 20 times, back to back on Netflix before they removed it and had to buy the box set as I missed watching it so much, even complained to Netflix, sad I know but I can sit and watch this for hours, days even. over and over again. It does stray from history sometimes but none the less gives a good insight as to what 16th century life at court was like. Lots of sex scenes in it, which if you don't like to see then this is probably not for you but didn't ruin it for me. Although I have had visitors come round whilst its been on and they thought I was watching porn LOL...I don't consider it bad really and I've seen worse on normal tv programmes. I do agree with a couple of other reviews concerning the change in his voice in season 4, he gets very gruff, it is a shame and irritating if im honest as it feels like a bit too much. I would recommend this boxset and will continue to watch it over and over. Only annoying thing now is i have to keep changing the DVD, netflix just ran each episode in turn.

We watched most of these when they were first broadcast. It is a very glossy cast with a high production cost. Not all historically accurate and I don’t always the need the deviate from the facts that we do know. For example Margaret did not married the Old king of Portugal. This seems a purposeless deviation. For those in the know I expect there are other similar examples. So watch with an open mind if the facts are usually important to you. This does not stop it from being an extremely good watch though and a series that some up the the Tudor times. The times are pretty awful though - being boiled or burnt alive was commonplace. The manner of the destruction of the Catholic church was pretty horrendous. The treatment of women was ghastly. There is not positive to say about this view of history, and guess the whole package does portray the reality of those times. It is not suitable for kids though being very very racy and violent.

Always this was intended as a soap opera set in the past, certain historical aspects adjusted to suit requirements. With that in mind, welcome here an entertaining series full of sex and gore. Vividly depicted is Henry VIII's relationship with his six wives, and reasons for the break with Rome - a form of Catholicism to continue in England but with the monarch at its head.Much money has been spent on the thirty eight episodes, visually the series always impressive.For Jonathan Rhys Meyers here is a tour de force, his fans no doubt delighted by so much of his finely honed flesh on display in the first three seasons. For others, his portrayal of the traditionally burly king may represent a barrier to full enjoyment. Here is an actor so easy to imagine as Richard II, Richard III, Henry V, but some may feel with him as Henry VIII only the ulcerated left leg carries conviction. A few may wish he and Henry Cavill had simply switched roles to give the series greater credibility.That reservation aside, here is a saga to enjoy very much, with many performances to applaud. Presented most vividly are times when top priority was a monarch's need for a male heir to the throne. Henry's craving for one changed the course of history, drastic steps needed. (The squeamish may wish to avert eyes during the execution scenes.)Twelve discs, the final one for each season with interesting bonuses. They include historian Lucy Worsley's conducted tour round Hampton Court Palace, Peter O'Toole on playing a Pope (speeches in Latin proving a real challenge).Inevitably there will be comparison with other dramas set in this period. It is best to accept each one for what it sets out to be. This presentation may include aspects to mock, but also contains much that greatly satisfies.