Reviewing Movies

Do you remember what it was like to be a hormonally charged nineteen-year-old? Now think what it would be like to become absolute ruler of the most powerful country in the world at that age, be accounted handsome, and have an athletic body. Henry Tudor was the modern equivalent of a rock star and premiere athlete all rolled into one. Not only did he have a boundless sexual appetite but woman were literally lining up to share his bed and as monarch his wish was their command in any case. In deference to modern sensibilities Harry asks each new conquest if she consents before he ravishes her; I doubt the original took such precautions. The young men with whom Harry surrounded himself were no less active. In any case today anyone with that many sexual partners would be subject to any number of venereal diseases not the least of which would be HIV.

We now enjoy what is called a constitutional monarchy. The sovereign still enjoys all the rights and privileges he/she historically held but her Parliament and Ministers exercise those authorities in her stead. In watching The Tudors we get an inside look at how the King’s advisors managed their charge’s absolute power. Since no one man could possibly manage all the detail involved in running a country, let alone an empire and a coterie of foreign diplomats his advisors took care of these details while the king was kept busy going off hunting, jousting, playing games, and chasing skirts. In fact keeping a ready supply of wenches for his dalliance was one sure way of ensuring a favoured position at court.

With so much power to be wielded it should be no surprise that court was rife with no end of rivalries, back stabbing, and intrigue. There is truth to the old saw that one keeps one friends close and one’s enemies closer. Henry may have been king of England but his courtiers were rulers of their own private fiefdoms, held vast wealth, and maintained their own standing armies. It were better if they were at court where they could keep a close eye on one another than at home plotting insurrection behind their fortified castle walls. It is also interesting to note church and state were intricately intertwined as the most powerful temporal authority in England at the time was also the chief prelate.

Much has been made among critics of John Rhys Meyers’ lack of physical presence as Henry and there are times when this becomes jarringly apparent—particularly in such scenes as the joust where he falters in attempting to manage the heavy pole. He looks more like a scholar than a jock. Having seen the original Henry’s suit of armour; this actor would be lost in it. For the most part though, the actors lead you to suspend disbelief and draw you in. This is not a Hollywood production and hence millions were not spent on sets and period costumes. In the scene at Val d’Or, France Henry actually demonstrates that his palace is fake.

If you’re curious CBC has made this series available online at their site but I must say it looks better on a wide-screen TV than inside a browser window.