Wolf Hall

[DarkDarkNight]

Just to let people know that Wolf Hall is back on iPlayer.

Thought I’d mention it as I’ve been looking for a way to watch it without having to subscribe to anything else.

Thank you!

Just started re-watching it - saw it first time round.

Love the books (and am half way through the final one for the second time) but have to admit I find the authenticity of the lighting etc to be a bit of a bugger. 'Tis very dark (in many ways . . . ).

Thank you! I started it last time round but didn’t get it finished.

I’m going to start this, thank you!

@MowCopCastle - I’m looking at you in the distance

@Nomorewineever lucky you 😊
Wish that was my view too!

You’re welcome. I loved it the first time and have been wanting to watch it again.

I loved watching this series, just about to start on the first book.

Thank you OP! I loved it but missed the last, slightly crucial, episode at the time.

What is it about ?

I must be missing something because I find this series so utterly tedious. The Cromwell dude has one facial expression, which I call vaguely-quizzical-emo. The dialogue jars, and its too fuckin dark.

I’ve never seen it, is it worth a watch?
I love historical stuff but hate glaring inaccuracies..!

Definitely worth a watch and is more historically accurate than a lot of Tudor dramas

@Mucklowe to be honest I don't think Mark Rylance was a great choice for Cromwell. The historical figure was supposed to look formidable and Rylance looks a bit too delicate

Its definitely something you have to watch undestracted....no phone, no interruptions as there's lots of nuance and unspoken acting, if you see what I mean!

(Whoever asked - it’s about Thomas Cromwell, who was a key adviser to Henry VIII, and how he steered Henry through the divorce from Catherine of Aragon, marriage to Anne Boleyn, beheading of Anne Boleyn, marriage to Jane Seymour, marriage to Anne of Cleves, and the break of the English church from Rome.)

Agree this isn’t Rylance’s finest hour - in the books Cromwell has a big physical presence and people can find him quite frightening. Rylance doesn’t project that IMO and the character makes less sense without it.

Lewis is fab as Henry VIII though, and Gatiss as Gardiner. Thought Claire Foy and Charity Wakefield were very good too as were the actors playing Jane Seymour and Lady Rochford. Lots of great performances and the sets are brilliant - I love the insight about those buildings, which are now ‘very old’ to us, were in lots of cases brand new and considered very modern and modish at the time.

@Mucklowe to be honest I don't think Mark Rylance was a great choice for Cromwell. The historical figure was supposed to look formidable and Rylance looks a bit too delicate

I thought that. Same with Jonathan Pryce for Wolseley - Wolseley was an enormous man - very obese.

Yep I agree with @Mucklowe. Great books but Rylance, just no! All those long meaningful stares that were meant to be menacing and just weren't! I so wanted to love it but he was miscast. Maybe he is better onstage than TV?

See I disagree with you all with regards to mark rylance. I am not that bothered about how good he is as Cromwell... he is just bloody lovely. God he makes me a bit funny... I am a woman nearer to 60 than 50 though!

Actually I do agree he isn't what we think Cromwell to have been - too nice, too lovely. But I am not watching ( 4th time) the series for historical facts...I am just watching for.......😳

As you were - I am off for a cold shower..

OP thank you SO MUCH.

Mark Rylance v good performance, but agree not right for the role physically / looks wise.

The painting scene was incredible.

I couldn’t manage the book but I thought he was excellent, as was Claire Foy.

Does it follow the book? I'm reading it now and having trouble knowing what's going on half the time 😆

Ooo thanks. Loved the book, loved the series. I love Mark Rylance. He’s was very much how I imagined Cromwell, funny that others feel so different. I’m just reading the mirror and the light now.

Ok now I’m thinking I’ve read all the books wrong as I’ve never picked up that Cromwell was meant to have a big physical presence. I’ve always seen him (when reading the trilogy) as quietly calculating, manipulative, clever and often lurking in the shadows. Certainly not a hard character, loving to those close and his family, and having some scruples. But quietly steering everyone to his wishes, sending in his minions when he wanted the real dirty work doing. He is first and foremost Henry’s servant and everything else comes second. I thought Rylance captured that brilliantly. A very complex character.

purple the book defeated me. The TV show is great.