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The Private Life of Henry VIII
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Synopsis
Charles Laughton became an international star by chewing both mutton and scenes in his Oscar-winning turn as King Henry VIII. Alexander Korda's British super-production also put the British cinema on the map, which, until this film, received precious little respect in the international film community. The film, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, details the private life of the famous British monarch. His first wife, Catherine of Aragon, is barely mentioned -- explained away by a prologue which states that she was "too respectable to be included." Henry then marries Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon) but she is soon beheaded. His next wife, Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie), dies during childbirth. His next wife is Anne of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester, in a prelude to her Bride of Frankenstein role), whom Henry reluctantly beds with his famous sigh, "The things I've done for England." They divorce and Henry next marries Katherine Howard (Binnie Barnes), who also finds herself beheaded when she has an affair with Henry's friend, Thomas Culpepper (Robert Donat). Finally, Henry is brought down to size with his final wife, Catherine Parr (Everley Gregg). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Cast

Claud Allister Cornell
Binnie Barnes Katheryn Howard
Wendy Barrie Jane Seymour
Robert Donat Thomas Culpepper
Everley Gregg Catherine Parr
Elsa Lanchester Anne of Cleves
Miles Mander Wriothesley
Merle Oberon Anne Boleyn
Lady Tree Henry's Old Nurse
Charles Laughton Henry VIII

Production Crew

Vincent Korda Art Director
Espinosa Choreography
Georges Périnal Cinematographer
Kurt Schroeder Composer (Music Score)
Peter Lindsey Consultant/advisor
John Armstrong Costume Designer
Alexander Korda Director
Harold Young Editor
Stephen Harrison Editor
Alexander Korda Producer
Ludovico Toeplitz Producer
Arthur Wimperis Screenwriter
Lajos Biró Screenwriter
Year: 1933
Runtime: 97
Country: UK
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature


Produced by
London Films

Release
by United Artists

Awards
1932-1933 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1932-33 - Best Picture - Academy
1933 - Best Foreign Film - National Board of Review
1933 - Best Foreign Film - National Board of Review