“The Private Life of Henry VIII” Offers A Glimpse At Cultural Myth-Making
The period piece is mostly myth, but still entertaining
The Criterion Collection is a distribution company that specializes in “important” classic and contemporary films. Through Hulu, many of these films are made available to stream. Once a week, I like to illuminate a Criterion movie — to deepen one’s understanding of filmmaking and film history. This week’s movie: “The Private Life of Henry VIII” (1933)
In a cultural sense, if there was a poll on which historical figures are, perhaps, overrated in modern eyes, Henry VIII would probably be near the top. The infamous English monarch was a part of the Tudor Dynstaty. He ruled England and all of her territories from 1509 to 1547 — and is not quite known for his accomplishments as a leader. Today, we remember the rule of Henry VIII as a revolving door of wives. He had 6 in his lifespan, notably killing off those — Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard — who were “treasonous”.
Through the age of modern storytelling, Henry VIII’s story lives on in moves and TV. Most notably, his reign was centerstage in the Showtime series The Tudors (2007–2010). Though, countless parodies of his life exist. (My favorite being The Simpsons parody). Whether parody or dramatic, Henry VIII’s life makes for compelling storytelling. I was excited to see that the Criterion Collection has a version of Henry VIII’s story, and I could not resist to watch.
How was his story going to get twisted this time?
In 1933, The Private Life of Henry VIII was released, jumpstarting the careers of director Alexander Korda and film star Charles Laughton — the man who plays Henry VIII. The film itself was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and became the first non-Hollywood film to win an Academy Award — when Charles Laughton won for Best Actor.
There is glory surrounding this film, no doubt with all the craftwork of the film. I do enjoy the film from that perspective. As a historical film, there is problems (as their always are). What does it do as an entry in our cultural sphere? Where does it leave us with Henry VIII as a man?
The film starts off 20 years into his reign. Anne Boleyn — his second wife — quickly dies, as Henry has caught the eye of another attractive, young woman Jane Seymour. The revolving door continues. Jane Seymour dies eighteen months into their marriage from childbirth. Henry re-marries with Anne of Cleves, who quickly gets out of the marriage. Catherine Howard is matched with the king, but soon cheats on him. Finally, he marries Catherine Parr — who he is married to when he dies. While the film stays on point with the major facts, The Private Life of Henry VIII begins to deviate from truth and offer myth-making storylines.
When we first see Henry, we see him as the image of the man history has passed down the most: fat, bearded, old. At the start of the film, well before that stage of his life, Laughton looks like the sole image everyone gets burned into their brains in history class. Though not quite as old, Laughton’s costume and make-up are lifted from a stage of his life that does not equal timing in the film. His look never really changes. Sure, it is hard to convey 20+ years of a life in a single film, but the filmmakers are creating a caricature with this visual of Henry VIII. Along with the temper and obnoxious attitude that Henry possesses throughout, the film creates a single noted character. A few “human” moments come through as he deals with loss, but, more often than not, Henry is resorted to his single note.
The wives are also held to similar characterizations, most memorably Anne of Cleves — played by “the Bride” Elsa Lanchester). Cleves was from German and her background is played obviously. Cleve’s accent is over-the-top, sometimes amounting to nonsensical garble. She outsmarts Henry in a card game, which wins her “freedom” from her marriage. In reality, Henry never liked Anne of Cleves. The card game never happened. Again, we see the film create myths to go along with its agenda of the one noted characters.
With the success of this film, it makes sense that we see Henry VII like that today. That single note character resonated with many who watched. This is how people remember Henry VIII sounding, acting and looking. The power of visuals overrides the power of the written word.
Though it sounds like I am knocking the film, I enjoyed the film. Knowing the deviations from history, the film is well acted and shot. It is a light and fun hour and a half period piece. However, I see the film in a bigger, cultural sense. This film, though not alone in doing so, help create the larger mythical figure of Henry VIII. This figure portrayed in this movie is the one most talked about; the one historians talk about only because they have to tell the story of England.
If you’re a historophile, like myself, it is always fun to watch a take on historical events. Though, you have to take The Private Life of Henry VIII as full fledged entertainment — which it absolutely is.
