The Tudors

I'm glad to see Showtime taking on the Tudor era, even if they are doing it because Henry's life is a tabloid-seller's dream come true, and our culture is tabloid-obsessed.

I love the casting of Jeremy Northam (Sir Thomas More) and Sam Neill (Cardinal Wolsey).

I read an earlier comment after I had already expressed the following thought elsewhere, and I completely agree -- Steven Waddington (Buckingham) would have been a better Henry VIII - he's bigger (he properly fills the screen, which in various shots J R-M painfully cannot, either in height or breadth); red-haired (as Henry was); and a POWERFUL, mesmerizing actor who's a better age for the part. (J R-M's eyes are riveting, but that's not enough for the part b/c at this stage of Henry's life, his fame was largely due to his physical dominance, learning & musical skill.) Showtime seems to be trying to appeal to a VERY young, VH-1 audience with the J R-M casting. Or, as they suggest, to people who don't know the story.

That's my second issue - don't suggest in the ads that you're going to tell the REAL story when you're not. Some dramatic license is expected (like flipping France for Portgual b/c they introduced Francis I early on) but there is no GOOD excuse for making a composite of Henry's sisters by telling Princess Mary Rose Tudor's story, but calling the character Princess Margaret, which was her older sister's name.

The real Margaret had a dramatic story, too -- and she's got the line to the current royal family through her great-granddaughter, Mary, Queen of Scots -- but they lost the chance to tell that by combining the sisters. Presumably they did it b/c they thought the audience was so dumb that we couldn't handle Henry's daughter and sister both being named Mary. Too bad.

With the proposed ending of Rome - I think a lot of viewers will automatically turn to The Tudors as a replacement. I have watched the first episode and find that the acting and set alone can pull a viewer in. It is different than Rome, but the same core passions of humanity are present.

I am deeply saddened that Rome will be ending after such a short run, and I think that were it not, The Tudors would find far more competition. As it is, both shows are proving that there is an audience for historical dramas and I hope such endeavors continue in the future.

The Tudors has a quality cast with attractive actors for both genders to attach to. I cannot make an honest opinion yet on the plots and direction of the series until I see more of it, but the imagery alone is a good start for this series.

The Tudors is about as close to perfection as a show of its genre can get. I understand people may argue that there are many historical inaccuracies but these become irrelevant when you realise the quality of the sets, scripts and not to forget the incredible acting.

I also think that the costume department also deserve an enormous amount of credit for designing royal attire that would have been fit for any Tudor King or Queen. As soon as you see the women walk out in their gorgeous dresses and the men in their traditional Tudor dress you are pulled into the world of Henry V111's court, a world, which thanks to this beautifully made show, I would never want to leave.

Having finished the first season and rewatched it a half dozen times as I wait impatiently for Showtime to unveil the second season of "The Tudors," I have to admit that this show has intrigued me in the history surrounding Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives better than any before it. The producers say it's "80% accurate," and that's an apt description, but what impressed me so much was that within that 80% are some little-known and often overlooked moments that make for great drama. Like the fact that the little wrestling match between Henry of England and Charles of France actually did take place, or that the only time Queen Katharine lost her cool in all that she was forced to endure was over the succession, and subsequent threat to her daughter's rights to the throne. Even certain of the dialogue is ripped right from the pages of history.

True, things are pushed out of order so as to move the story along at a more rapid pace, and the worst bastardization of history comes in the form of the preposterous mingling of Henry's sisters Margaret and Mary into one individual (oddly enough, they don't even bother to push through the fact that one marriage lasted eighteen years and produced several children, which would have given them a lead-in for producing a later series built on this one about the heirs to the throne), but the reality is that this is solid film-making. The production value is exquisite, the original score is absolutely gorgeous, and then there are the performances.

It is a downright shame that Maria Doyle Kennedy and Sam Neil were given no mentions in the Emmy nominations, because while the rest of the cast is outstanding, they really deserve critical acclaim. Kennedy's Katharine of Aragon is perhaps the most authentic and sympathetic depiction ever to reach the silver screen, large or small, and the audience has responded to her with overwhelmingly positive emotions. I know that she broke my heart more than once, as much as made me want to stand up and cheer, particularly in the eighth episode. Neil is not quite as unlikable as Wolsey could be, but in the second half of the first season hits his stride and is absolutely phenomenal in the finale.

The one thing that rather disenchanted me was the amount of pointless sex and skin revealed on the part of random ladies of the court. Henry certainly had his flings but they were not as often as depicted, and to be perfectly honest, one is left wondering what he sees in these naked trollops when he has a far more beautiful and enchanting wife lingering in the background. (It also doesn't give the audience much empathy for Henry, who seems incapable of "making love." Even his eventual tryst with Anne Boleyn has more primal boredom to it than wooing.) I know it was a low ploy by Showtime, cashing in on the "sex sells" shallowness of our culture, but the story is much more profoundly lingering without it.

Now I am no historian as I have said in one or two of my previous reviews, but I do take an interest in it. The Tudors I especially loved learning about, and by year 4 I was able to tell my class a few facts about Henry VIII, his life and his wives without referencing a book or asking the teacher for help. This is an imperfect but good and quite interesting series.

I do agree though about the inaccuracies. I would be lying if the writers didn't take liberties with the truth, or got a bit over-creative. I am especially talking about Henry's sisters and also flipping France for Portugal. Also I think the writers could have focused more on his musical skills and physical dominance not to mention the fiery red hair of his, as that was what made him famous and also what made stand out from the rest of the kings and queens.

I do agree to some extent about Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Granted he is dashing, has riveting eyes and does show some compelling acting chops. But... he is the wrong build, too tall and too thin and I also think he is too young for the part as well. Consequently any time shifts don't quite come across as believable.

Some of the earlier seasons could have done with more character development. It has improved significantly over time, as has the acting, but when it started I did think it was rather sketchy and underdeveloped.

Faults aside, The Tudors does look exquisite. The sets and scenery are truly sumptuous, with a very convincing Tudor look, while the costumes are often mesmerising. The photography is always top notch, while the editing is crisp and props authentic enough. I am also quite taken with the music in this show. The main theme has a wonderful Medieval lilt to it, while the background scoring is almost cinematic.

The writing is mostly good. Even with the inaccuracies, I do think the dialogue is thought-provoking and entertaining. The story lines are compelling enough, well paced and written with heart in my opinion. There are scenes that do make me emotional or do disturb me. In particular there was a recent episode where a woman was tortured and burned alive, the impact that had was almost reminiscent of the beginning of Elizabeth and some parts of Witchfinder General, scenes which disturbed me greatly.

The direction is solid enough as well, while the acting is in general fine. While the wrong build and age, Meyers as I said before does show some good acting and emotion. Out of his wives, I have liked Joely Richardson and Natalie Dormer most. My favourites of the cast though are Jeremy Northam and Sam Neill, who are both inspired casting and both give excellent performances.

All in all, this is a good if imperfect show. If you want a truer account of the life and six wives of Henry VIII though, watch the David Starkey documentary Channel 4 mini-series The Six Wives of Henry VIII, which I learnt a lot from, or the film Henry VIII and his Six Wives with Keith Michell, while compressed it benefits from splendid acting and a wonderfully sympathetic Henry. 7/10 for The Tudors. Bethany Cox