Member-only story

Anne of the Thousand Days: A Historical Drama of Love, Power, and Betrayal

Yasunari Kawabata

·15.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Anne Of The Thousand Days

6 min read

537 View Claps

98 Respond

Save

Listen

Anne of the Thousand Days

by Maxwell Anderson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	762 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	142 pages

Anne of the Thousand Days is a 1969 historical drama film directed by Charles Jarrott and starring Richard Burton as King Henry VIII and Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn. The film tells the story of the tumultuous marriage between Henry and Anne, which ended in Anne's execution.

The film begins with Anne's arrival at the English court in 1522. She is a young and ambitious woman, and she quickly catches the eye of Henry VIII. Henry is married to Catherine of Aragon, but he is unhappy with their marriage. He sees Anne as a way to get rid of Catherine and produce a male heir.

Anne and Henry begin an affair, and they are soon married. However, their marriage is not without its problems. Henry is a volatile and unpredictable man, and he is often jealous of Anne. Anne is also ambitious, and she is determined to become queen.

In 1533, Anne gives birth to a daughter, Elizabeth. Henry is disappointed that it is not a boy, but he is still happy to have a child. However, his happiness is short-lived. Anne soon becomes pregnant again, and this time she gives birth to a son, Edward.

The birth of Edward secures Anne's position as queen, but it also makes her enemies. Catherine of Aragon and her supporters are determined to have Anne overthrown. They spread rumors about Anne's infidelity and her supposed involvement in witchcraft.

In 1536, Anne is arrested and charged with treason. She is found guilty and sentenced to death. She is executed on May 17, 1536.

Anne of the Thousand Days is a tragic story of love, power, and betrayal. It is a well-made film with excellent performances from Burton and Bujold. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in Tudor history or historical dramas.

Historical Accuracy

Anne of the Thousand Days is based on the historical events surrounding the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. However, the film takes some liberties with history. For example, the film portrays Anne as being more ambitious and ruthless than she was in real life. The film also simplifies the complex political and religious issues that led to Anne's downfall.

Despite these historical inaccuracies, Anne of the Thousand Days is still a valuable film. It provides a glimpse into the lives of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and it tells a compelling story of love, power, and betrayal.

Critical Reception

Anne of the Thousand Days was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Burton. The film won two Oscars, for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.

Critics praised the film's performances, direction, and costumes. However, some critics found the film's historical inaccuracies to be off-putting.

Legacy

Anne of the Thousand Days is considered to be one of the best historical dramas ever made. It has been praised for its performances, direction, and costumes. The film has also been credited with helping to revive interest in Tudor history.

Anne of the Thousand Days remains a popular film today. It is regularly shown on television and streaming services. The film is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.