Henry VIII and His Six Wives
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Nat Cohen (producer) |
Key people | Waris Hussein (director), Keith Michell (actor) |
| Products | Historical drama film |
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a 1972 British historical drama film directed by Waris Hussein, adapted from the 1970 BBC miniseries The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Keith Michell returns to portray Henry VIII. The six queens are depicted by Frances Cuka, Charlotte Rampling, Jane Asher, Jenny Bos, Lynne Frederick, and Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Donald Pleasence assumes the role of Thomas Cromwell, while Bernard Hepton reprises his portrayal of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, both reprising their characters from the original production.
Plot
As he lies on his deathbed, Henry VIII contemplates his reign, concentrating on his six marriages. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, with Henry surrounded by members of his family and court.
His first wife, Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, bears only one surviving offspring, daughter Mary. Henry suspects their union is ill-fated because Catherine was previously wed to his deceased brother, Arthur. Desiring a male heir, Henry courts Anne Boleyn, who insists on marriage before any physical relationship. When the Pope refuses to annul Henry’s marriage to Catherine, he severs ties with Rome, establishes the Church of England, annuls the marriage, and crowns Anne as queen. Anne delivers a daughter, Elizabeth, but does not produce a son. Henry’s attention then shifts to Jane Seymour.
The rising political figure Thomas Cromwell assists Henry by accusing Anne of adultery, resulting in her execution. Jane Seymour restores Princess Mary’s legitimacy, advocates for religious pardons, and gives birth to Henry’s much-desired son, Edward, though she dies soon after childbirth.
For diplomatic motives, Henry weds German Protestant Anne of Cleves based on her portrait. Displeased by her appearance in person, he arranges an annulment. Cromwell’s influence wanes amid court intrigues; he is subsequently arrested.
Henry next marries his young cousin Catherine Howard, encouraged by her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. Though initially doubtful, Henry accepts Archbishop Cranmer’s evidence regarding Catherine’s premarital and marital infidelities. She is executed.
In his final marriage, the aging Henry weds widow Catherine Parr, who assumes a caring role toward Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward. The film concludes with Catherine Parr at Henry’s side on his deathbed as Archbishop Cranmer administers his last confession.
Main cast
- Keith Michell as Henry VIII
- Frances Cuka as Catherine of Aragon
- Charlotte Rampling as Anne Boleyn
- Jane Asher as Jane Seymour
- Jenny Bos as Anne of Cleves
- Lynne Frederick as Catherine Howard
- Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Catherine Parr
- Donald Pleasence as Thomas Cromwell
- Brian Blessed as the Duke of Suffolk
- Bernard Hepton as Thomas Cranmer
- Michael Gough as the Duke of Norfolk
- Michael Goodliffe as Sir Thomas More
- John Bryans as Cardinal Wolsey
- Michael Byrne as Edward Seymour
- Peter Madden as John Fisher
- Garfield Morgan as Stephen Gardiner
Production
Building on the acclaim of Keith Michell's performance in the original BBC series centered on the wives of Henry VIII, a feature-length film was created to present the story from Henry VIII’s viewpoint. Producer Nat Cohen appointed Mark Shivas to oversee production, while John Bloomfield resumed his role as costume designer.
Although initially reluctant due to Michell reprising his role, director Waris Hussein accepted the project, recognizing its historical importance. Collaborating with the screenwriter, they crafted a psychological narrative that delved into Henry VIII’s infertility struggles and the resulting paranoia and destructive behavior. This perspective defined the film’s unique tone and thematic direction.
Locations
- Hatfield House, Hatfield, England – served as the backdrop for scenes involving Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard
- Woburn Abbey, Woburn, England
- Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent, England – utilized for sequences featuring Anne Boleyn
- Eton College, Eton, England – depicted both Hampton Court Palace and the execution scenes at Tower Green
- EMI-MGM Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England
Release
The film’s debut was attended by members of the royal family. Director Waris Hussein humorously remarked that he wore a Nehru jacket to highlight his Indian background during the premiere.
Notes