History
Drama
Renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn, his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour, but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.
Directors
Charles Laughton
Henry VIII
Robert Donat
Thomas Culpeper
Franklin Dyall
Thomas Cromwell
Miles Mander
Wriothesley
Laurence Hanray
Archbishop Cranmer
William Austin
Duke of Cleves
John Loder
Peynell
Claud Allister
Cornell
Gibb McLaughlin
The French Executioner
Sam Livesey
The English Executioner
Merle Oberon
Anne Boleyn
Wendy Barrie
Jane Seymour
Elsa Lanchester
Anne of Cleves
Binnie Barnes
Katherine Howard
Everley Gregg
Katherine Parr
Lady Tree
The King's Nurse
Frederick Culley
Duke of Norfolk (uncredited)
Mark Daly
Man (uncredited)
Directors
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User reviews1
Review
Featured review
Charles Laughton well deserved his only Oscar for this wonderfully over the top, rumbustious portrayal of Henry VIII as he embarks on his infamous spree of wives. "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" goes the mnemonic - this version skips the first wife describing her as a "decent woman" but he quickly works his way through Merle Oberon, Wendy Barrie, Binnie Barnes before Everley Gregg finally gets his measure as Katherine Parr. His real-life wife Elsa Lanchester is easily the best of the five as Anne of Cleves - her facial expressions and one-liners are great. Robert Donat is good as the frustrated Culpeper and the scenes with the two executioners bring a smile to your face too. The score has a vivacious jollity to it - and helps carry the whole thing along in a sprightly fashion. Great stuff.
Geronimo196713 Jun, 2022
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