Release Date:November 20, 2007 Shipping:Eligible for Super Saver Shipping Availability:In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
Amazon.com The Tudors: The Complete First Season may cover the same subject matter as the 1970 BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII, but in every other respect it is a different idea of historical drama. Sexy and violent, The Tudors envisions Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) as a young man of both passion and ambition, driven by boundless sexual energy and the desire to establish a legacy early in his monarchy. When he isn't sleeping with any available beauty--heedless of whose daughter or wife a lover might be--he's getting fired up about going to war with France. He is amenable, however, to alternative ideas, including the counsel of his Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey (Sam Neill), who wants his king to sign a treaty of universal peace with all of Europe. Henry's fiery temperament endangers such a move, but Wolsey persists in hopes of gaining France's support for his own, possible ascendance to the papacy. His ambitions are not to be, however, and his fortunes go downhill as Henry's desire to wed Ann Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) puts Wolsey in the position of petitioning Rome for a hearing on the legitimacy of Henry's marriage to Queen Katherine.
Henry's shrewd alliance with the king of Spain is also testament to his desire to have more influence over European affairs. But his even greater desire for another woman proves an obstacle there, too. Over the course of the ten episodes on The Complete First Season, Henry's confidence grows as a monarch while his self-interest undercuts his better judgement about making a difference to Europe's progress. While the series makes the historical events rich and captivating, it also makes Henry's love life a voyeuristic delight, full of candlelit flesh and romps in the royal bed. Some of the most fascinating characters in the show are those who figure out the link between Henry's libido and his exercise of power--including Boleyn's own father (Nick Dunning), who encourages Ann to keep up the good work. Sheesh. --Tom Keogh
Not Accurate but InspiringAugust 3, 2008 Faith(Canada) This series follows the life of Henry V111 and his court. We are drawn into the politics of the day as well as daily life at court. Henry is passionate, sensual, playful, and all powerful. His interactions with the women in his life are captivating. The acting, costumes and sets are spectacular. I am now inspired to read the "real story". I am presently reading The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. The book is even more fascinating than the series. See the series, and if you want more, buy Alison's Weir book. I recommend both highly!
Blooper Reel Out of SyncJuly 19, 2008 Sandra Montgomery(B.C. Canada) The reason the blooper reel is out of sync on some sets [and I happened to get one of these sets] is because, although the sound is there for it, an entire scene is missing visually. The one where JRM is in the water being fed by an assistant. You can hear it but the scene playing isn't correct. It then puts the rest of the reel's sound [and there is a lot of it left] about 2 min behind. It is very annoying and I would like to have a replacement. Not sure how to go about it.
The TudorsJanuary 12, 2008 Jesse Leveille(Montréal, Canada) The Tudors history is something only vaguely cover in the history class. The work on this serie is impressive because it make something very distant becoming very close, you can relate to almost all the caracter and it's a pure joy. I must had a special mention to Dormer (who play Anne) her acting is... divine. Buy that without hesitation.
AMAZINGJanuary 3, 2008 Zafri M.(Canada) shows like this don't come along often. most of them are cancelled much too early (deadwood, firefly, etc). the political intrigue and drama of this show should not be missed
Une superbe évocation de l'Angleterre des TudorsDecember 30, 2007 Jacques Vallee(Québec, Quebec Canada) 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Cette série est une magnifique évocation de l'Angleterre du roi Henry VIII, malgré quelques libertés prises avec l'histoire (le personnage de Margaret, la soeur d'Henry, correspond plutôt à Mary qui a épousé le roi de France et non le roi du Portugal, Marguerite de Navarre n'a jamais couché avec Henry VIII...).
Je trouve que la distribution est particulièrement bien réussie. Je pense en particulier aux actrices qui interprètent Catherine d'Aragon et Anne Boleyn.
Les décors sont magnifiques et les costumes superbes. La série est très audacieuse et c'est ce qui en fait sa grande force. Les principaux personnages sont très bien campés et on a très bien cerné leur personnalité complexe.
