The Tudors

Season 1 of Hirst's The Tudors on Showtime ushered in a new era of popularity for historical series for viewers accustomed to thinking, enjoying taboo subjects, and boldly choosing among the best of the best TV dramas on offer (in addition to Showtime, such programming has long been represented by HBO and, more recently, Starz). The story is familiar enough; the Boleyn family's entanglements with Henry VIII have inspired cinema since the beginning, from Méliès and Lubitsch to Chadwick in recent years. However, the retelling of Korda's The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) remains legendary. So what is the royal court like with Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the lead role? Initially, it’s fairly straightforward, sleek, and calm (like Catherine of Aragorn) and therefore ideal for the invasion of Boleyn's girls. Sam Neill and Henry Cavill are also great in supporting roles. There are allegedly some historical inaccuracies, but those were never the issue in the first place. What is important is the general awareness of the culture of the Tudors, the humanization of names from history textbooks, and the excitement of the audience's imagination. As well as a passion for intrigue and reformation. And there's plenty of that. Inspired, viewers will then study literature on their own. (24/09/2017)

Season 2 has stronger momentum, and the coronation of Anne Boleyn is a very attractive theme, as is her execution. It is necessary to watch it very quickly because then one’s adrenaline naturally rises or falls - according to the fading position of the second queen of Henry VIII. The birth of Elizabeth is truly prophetic, and how could it not be, given that Hirst made both films about her golden age? The Vatican scenes are great too. Meyers’ acting is amazing and gets beautifully more and more debauched. And there's so much more to come! The fragile Jane Seymour, for example. (24/09/2017)

I wouldn't have even noticed that Jana Seymour was played by two different actresses because she was such a bland character. But she fulfilled her role perfectly. The gentle, fragile mother of Edward VI, who reconciled Henry VIII with his daughters Mary and Elizabeth. With her birth, the quality of the entire series peaked prematurely and for a time The Tudors lost its charm. Together with mourning for Jana, however, came the necessity of bridging to wife No. 4 - the German princess Anna of Cleves. It was probably a good choice to have the singer Joss Stone play her, if only for the need to give the impression that she's really out of place. Why look for real reasons why she wasn't welcome when Catherine Howard (a dangerous-looking teenage Tamzin Merchant from Salem) was already waiting in the next room? So who else was great and who is not going to be part of the next season? James Frain (True Blood) as Thomas Cromwell, of course. (30/09/2017)

I'm heartbroken by the final feud between Henry VIII's queens. Catherine Howard is just a fragile little chick, while Anne of Cleves is starting to become popular for the first time after gaining her independence... Daughters from previous marriages mature for their regent duties until finally, the chaos has to be severed by the mature Catherine Parr, played by my favorite actress Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck). If you haven't attached yourself to that Tudor court by Season 4, you have a heart of stone. And yes, I could imagine the same theme in six or more seasons. Finally, there's Henry VIII's father and the fact that his interest in the Boleyn girls started with their mother... and at the other end, Edward VI, Bloody Mary, and Elizabeth I taking turns took forever. In short, it's an inspiring piece of history. (30/09/2017)