To think Wolf Hall / Damian Lewis is the best ever portrayal of Henry VIII?

Bluelane · 2024-11-26T08:39:02+00:00

Just that really. You can feel the tension, impulsiveness, and danger every time he’s on screen. You can feel the threat that must have felt by those around him at the time, it feels really accurate. Amazing writing / acting, such a contrast to the pantomime villain we often get.

Orangefruitbrush · 10/12/2024 15:02

Anyone else feel sad and shocked when Cromwell was arrested?

I knew it was coming, but the actor is so good that I am surprisingly invested.

Getitwright · 30/11/2024 11:28

MagdaLenor · 30/11/2024 11:28

😂 you're safe then!

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So is he🤣

MagdaLenor · 30/11/2024 11:28

Getitwright · 30/11/2024 11:27

🤣 not a prayer. We are happily and consensually non breeders. And have fun like children dressing up!

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😂 you're safe then!

Getitwright · 30/11/2024 11:27

MagdaLenor · 30/11/2024 10:55

I hope you provided him with a male heir.

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🤣 not a prayer. We are happily and consensually non breeders. And have fun like children dressing up!

Silenus · 30/11/2024 11:13

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 30/11/2024 11:03

Hardly surprising when he had six wives and a) got rid of two of them by having their heads chopped off, and b) by sticking two fingers up at the Pope/Catholic church. That made a great and enduring change to the country.

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Sure, but other events and historical periods had profound effects, like the Norman conquest or the overthrow of the monarchy or the start of the Industrial Revolution, but there’s not nearly as much popular history/ film/tv focus on them.

wherethewildthingis · 30/11/2024 11:03

You can't surely talk about Mark Rylance without talking about Flop!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 30/11/2024 11:03

Orangefruitbrush · 27/11/2024 17:07

I've really been enjoying the portrayal of Cromwell - absolutely brilliant.

I don't quite understand the fascination with Henry and that period of history in general. So many dramas focusing on that period.

Hardly surprising when he had six wives and a) got rid of two of them by having their heads chopped off, and b) by sticking two fingers up at the Pope/Catholic church. That made a great and enduring change to the country.

MagdaLenor · 30/11/2024 10:55

Getitwright · 30/11/2024 10:48

Yes, we have visited some of the filming locations, Berkeley Castle, Haddon Hall, Barrington Court, Montacute, Hampton Court. I have a photo of my OH in “Cromwell’s robe and hat” taken at Berkeley. Bit of fun, but he does look the part😁

I hope you provided him with a male heir.

Getitwright · 30/11/2024 10:48

Yes, we have visited some of the filming locations, Berkeley Castle, Haddon Hall, Barrington Court, Montacute, Hampton Court. I have a photo of my OH in “Cromwell’s robe and hat” taken at Berkeley. Bit of fun, but he does look the part😁

DonnaHadDee · 29/11/2024 16:51

Having ready the books, I'm very much enjoying the series. Of course people will have all kinds of diverse opinions on such pivotal characters and events. I've especially enjoyed seeing some of the locations that I'd know from many many years ago https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/film-tv/visit-the-settings-of-wolf-hall

Wolf Hall │Filming locations

Wolf Hall, based on the bestselling trilogy by author Hilary Mantel, was filmed at several National Trust places.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/film-tv/visit-the-settings-of-wolf-hall

WestwardHo1 · 29/11/2024 14:09

Philandbill · 28/11/2024 22:14

Also going off track but Mark Rylance was superb in the otherwise fairly ordinary film "Bridge of Spies". And if you like Damian Lewis then a TV drama called "Warriors" about UN peacekeepers during the Bosnian war is excellent.

Oh I thought Bridge of Spies was great!

BIossomtoes · 28/11/2024 23:30

Mark Rylance is phenomenal. He can convey so much with his eyes without speaking or moving a muscle. I’d love to see him on the stage.

Pussycat22 · 28/11/2024 23:21

Have only just started watching wolf hall and saw the episode where Anne Boleyn is executed. She looked so lonely and deserted after almost a decade of being the number one person in Henry's life. From glory to disaster.

Musntapplecrumble · 28/11/2024 22:39

Stumbled across another brilliant MR film recently: The Outfit (2022) 😊

Pinkruler · 28/11/2024 22:27

Yes think he is great. He does remind me of Miranda Richardson as Elizabeth I in Blackadder - eg when dressed up as a turk and everyone fawning over him . That mix of believing everyone in the court loves him and being able to turn on a dime .

Drivingoverlemons · 28/11/2024 22:25

I had no idea DL was the English guy from the Forsythe Saga when I first watched Homeland years ago. I felt the same about Dominic West in The Wire, I didn’t put two and two together as they were so believable.

Drivingoverlemons · 28/11/2024 22:19

socialdilemmawhattodo · 27/11/2024 20:52

I've described this before, but anyway here goes. I had the opportunity to see MR as Iago at the Shakespeare Globe (2018?). I am not the world's greatest Shakespeare fan, but give it a go periodically because I know I should! Production starts, going well, lots of clowning around. Slightly surprising. 1/3 of the way through MR leans in to the audience for a soliloquy (do not be upset if I misquote) - The Moor I do but hate him. MR then moves the audience physically as he drops and raises his voice/tone. The whole Shakespeare Globe audience moving (seats or not) in/out to hear him, to catch the venom. Breathtaking.

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I saw MR in Dr Semmelweiss, he is an astonishing actor.

The guy in Horrible Histories in my favourite Henry VIII but Damian Lewis comes a close second.

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/11/2024 22:16

WestwardHo1 · 28/11/2024 22:03

Oh my! Isn't he FABULOUS! 😍

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Agreed. Even more remarckable when you consider the accompanying music is a Pavane.

Philandbill · 28/11/2024 22:14

Also going off track but Mark Rylance was superb in the otherwise fairly ordinary film "Bridge of Spies". And if you like Damian Lewis then a TV drama called "Warriors" about UN peacekeepers during the Bosnian war is excellent.

Silenus · 28/11/2024 22:06

Agree MR is v light on his feet!

Silenus · 28/11/2024 22:05

catscatscurrantscurrants · 28/11/2024 21:51

For Mark Rylance fans - there's a short video on Youtube titled 'End of Play Jig'. At the end of a performance of Richard II at the Globe Theatre, the whole cast come onstage to dance, including Mark Rylance who played Richard. You should see him dance - he must have been high as a kite on the adrenalin!

When he was director, they ended all Shakespeare/ his contemporaries’ plays with a jig, whether it was a comedy, tragedy or history — which got complained about quite a lot at the time, from what I remember.

WestwardHo1 · 28/11/2024 22:03

catscatscurrantscurrants · 28/11/2024 21:51

For Mark Rylance fans - there's a short video on Youtube titled 'End of Play Jig'. At the end of a performance of Richard II at the Globe Theatre, the whole cast come onstage to dance, including Mark Rylance who played Richard. You should see him dance - he must have been high as a kite on the adrenalin!

Oh my! Isn't he FABULOUS! 😍

catscatscurrantscurrants · 28/11/2024 21:51

For Mark Rylance fans - there's a short video on Youtube titled 'End of Play Jig'. At the end of a performance of Richard II at the Globe Theatre, the whole cast come onstage to dance, including Mark Rylance who played Richard. You should see him dance - he must have been high as a kite on the adrenalin!

Getitwright · 28/11/2024 17:49

Would love to see MR in theatre. Have been lucky enough to see Ralph Fiennes, Kenneth Branagh, Joseph Fiennes, Ian McKellern, Derek Jacobi, Clare Foy, Timothy Dalton, John Nettles and a few other big stage actors.

JudgeJ · 28/11/2024 10:04

catscatscurrantscurrants · 26/11/2024 09:11

Damian Lewis does very well in the part, but I don't think anyone could better Keith Michell.

Edited

Totally agree, you must be about my great age! When I see Damien Lewis in anything all I can think of is Homeland and his end there.