Films About Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, is a historical figure who has fascinated filmmakers for decades. Her life, filled with intrigue, ambition, and tragedy, has inspired numerous films that explore themes of love, power, betrayal, and the complex dynamics of the Tudor court. These portrayals often delve into her rise to prominence, her tumultuous marriage, and the political ramifications of her downfall, providing a rich tapestry for storytelling in cinema.
Here are some notable films about Anne Boleyn:
“Anne of the Thousand Days”, 1969
Director: Charles Jarrott
This historical drama chronicles the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, focusing on their courtship, the political machinations surrounding their marriage, and Anne's eventual downfall. The film stars Geneviève Bujold as Anne and Richard Burton as Henry VIII.
Starring: Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Irene Papas, Anthony Quayle, John Colicos, Michael Hordern, Katharine Blake, Peter Jeffrey, Joseph O'Conor, William Squire, Valerie Gearon, Vernon Dobtcheff, Gary Bond, Terence Wilton, Denis Quilley, Esmond Knight, T.P. McKenna, Michael Johnson, Marne Maitland, Nora Swinburne, June Ellis, Cyril Luckham, Brook Williams, Lesley Paterson, Amanda Jane Smythe, Nicola Pagett, Peter Avella, George Ballantine, Hyma Beckley, Jack «Kid» Berg, Kate Burton, Elizabeth Counsell, Maxwell Craig, Mabel Etherington, Max Faulkner, Ernest Fennemore, Harry Fielder, Hugh Futcher, Victor Harrington, Fiona Hartford, Lindsay Hooper, Lilian Hutchins, Juliet Kempson, Juba Kennerley, Eric Kent, Aileen Lewis, Tommy Little, Fred Machon, Mary Maxfield, Alan Meacham;
Production year: 1969;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 145 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Anne of the Thousand Days” on the website imdb.com
“The Other Boleyn Girl”, 2008
Director: Justin Chadwick
Based on the novel by Philippa Gregory, this film tells the story of Anne Boleyn's sister, Mary, and her rivalry with Anne for the affections of King Henry VIII. It explores the complexities of sisterhood and ambition in the Tudor court, featuring Natalie Portman as Anne and Scarlett Johansson as Mary.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Ana Torrent, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey, Juno Temple, Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, Oliver Coleman, Tom Cox, Michael Smiley, Montserrat Roig de Puig, Iain Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Mark Lewis Jones, Corinne Galloway, Alfie Allen, Joseph Moore, Tiffany Freisberg, Bill Wallis, Joanna Scanlan, Brodie Judge, Oscar Negus, Maisie Smith, Daisy Doidge-Hill, Kizzy Fassett, Finton Reilly, Emma Noakes, Poppy Hurst, Constance Stride, Stefana Brancastle, Victoria Bull, Christian Challis, Gemma Cooper, Elizabeth Croft, James Fiddy, Adam Frith, Oihana Garde, Rebecca Grant, Helen Holman, David Jones Jr., Marysia Kay, Lexie Lambert, Hain MacSheoinin, Shane Nolan, Benjamin O'Mahony, John Paton;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “The Other Boleyn Girl” on the website imdb.com
“The Six Wives of Henry VIII”, 1970
Director: Naomi Capon, John Glenister
This television miniseries includes a detailed portrayal of Anne Boleyn among the six wives of Henry VIII, highlighting her ambition, her role in the English Reformation, and her tragic fate. Anne is played by Anne Stallybrass, and the series offers a comprehensive view of her life within the context of the king's matrimonial history.
Starring: Keith Michell, Anthony Quayle, Patrick Troughton, Bernard Hepton, Sheila Burrell, Basil Dignam, Wolfe Morris, Angela Pleasence, Anne Stallybrass, Dorothy Tutin, Daniel Moynihan, John Ronane, Howard Goorney, Patrick Godfrey, Alison Frazer, Edward Atienza, John Woodnutt, Julia Cornelius, Martin Ratcliffe, Rosalie Crutchley, Gillian Bailey, Ken Wynne, Michael Osborne, Dorothy Black, Sally Travers, Annette Crosbie, Hilary Mason, Catherine Lacey, Jonathan Newth, Howard Lang, Donald Bisset, James Mellor, Margaret Ford, Carol MacReady, William Abney, John Richmond, Joyce Mandre, Elvi Hale, Peter Stephens, Sue Bishop, Louis Haslar, Ralph Bates, Jo Kendall, Robert Hartley, Christopher Hancock, William Maxwell, Karen Ford, David Butler, Christopher Beeching, Alberto Colzi;
Production year: 1970;
Genre: drama, melodrama, history, biography;
Rating: IMDB: 8,4;
“A Man for All Seasons”, 1966
Director: Fred Zinnemann
While not exclusively about Anne Boleyn, this film depicts the moral and political dilemmas faced by Sir Thomas More during the reign of Henry VIII, including the king's desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne. Anne's character is pivotal in the events that unfold, showcasing the impact of her actions on the lives of those around her.
Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Cyril Luckham, Jack Gwillim, Thomas Heathcote, Yootha Joyce, Anthony Nicholls, John Nettleton, Eira Heath, Molly Urquhart, Paul Hardwick, Michael Latimer, Philip Brack, Martin Boddey, Eric Mason, Matt Zimmerman, Vanessa Redgrave, Raymond Adamson, Chris Adcock, Trevor Baxter, Sylvia Bidmead, Jack Bligh, Bridget Brice, Jan Carey, Garrett Cassell, David Collings, Gladys Dawson, Howard Douglas, Edwin Finn, Arthur Goodman, Laura Graham, Raymond Graham, Harvey Hall, Gay Hamilton, Fiona Hartford, Drewe Henley, Walter Horsbrugh, Ross Hutchinson, Donald Layne-Smith, Graham Leaman, Leonard Llewellyn, Patrick Marley;
Production year: 1966;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “A Man for All Seasons” on the website imdb.com
“Wolves”, 2013
Director: David Hayter
This lesser-known film presents a fictionalized account of Anne Boleyn's life through the eyes of a young woman who becomes involved in the political schemes of the Tudor court. It provides a unique perspective on Anne's character and the challenges she faced.
Starring: Lucas Till, Stephen McHattie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Merritt Patterson, Jason Momoa, Janet-Laine Green, Melanie Scrofano, Adam Butcher, Phil Hayes, Brandon McGibbon, Miriam McDonald, Stephen Sparks, Jennifer Hale, Kaitlyn Leeb, Daniel Kelly, Todd Dulmage, Sterling Jarvis, Jung-Lung Kim, Adrienne Kress, Tommy Gunn, Robert Homer Mollohan, Casey Dumas Hudecki, Ryan Brownlee, Jonathan Llyr, Eric Trask, Adam MacDonald, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Matthew Currie Holmes, Eric Daniel, Glen Gould, Kyle Shapiro, Simon Northwood, George Tchortov, Eli Martyr, Alain Moussi, Jonny Caines, Dean Copkov, Leland Tilden, Issey Abraha, Wayne Curnew, Azra Valani, Dionne b Warren, Jesse Daniel Glass, Ron Laugher;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: fantasy, action, horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
“The Tudor”, 2014
Director: Joshua Bruce, Adam Goldsmith, Justin Giegerich
This television series offers a dramatized retelling of the life and reign of Henry VIII, featuring Anne Boleyn as a significant character. It explores her rise to power and her eventual execution, focusing on the intricacies of her relationships and the court's politics.
Starring: Gian Carlo Durland, Katelyn Johnson, Dominic Mozino;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: short film, drama;
Duration: 6 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
More information about the film “The Tudor” on the website imdb.com
These films each provide a different lens through which to view Anne Boleyn's life, showcasing her as a complex figure who played a pivotal role in one of the most fascinating periods of English history.
The films about Anne Boleyn offer a captivating portrayal of one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in English history. From her rise to power as the second wife of King Henry VIII to her tragic downfall, these films have brought to life the complexities of Anne Boleyn's character and the tumultuous political landscape of the Tudor era. Whether through historical accuracy or artistic interpretation, these films have sparked intrigue and debate, leaving a lasting impression on audiences about the compelling story of Anne Boleyn.
