Historical drama may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that was fantastically done. Mark Rylance’s performance throughout was a master class in acting. Really enjoyed the series.

Agreed. I’ve enjoyed it a lot, but I think I might have been a bit lost at times if I hadn’t read the books.

Not read the book yet (MsD is making heavy weather of it) but I know a little of the period anyway.
Bring Out The Bodies is soon to be shot as the next series.

Think that Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn actors are very much the dogs!
As for Henry, his performance skills are pitiful.

All round a good watch for those brushing up on what they forgot from school ;-d

Proper job. Dark and pitiless just how i like it. Closing shot summed it up nicely.

I’m still in awe of how Mark Rylance can show so many thoughts and emotions whilst hardly changing his expression the whole series!
Apparently they spent £20’000 on tallow and wax candles to get the lighting right, & used special cameras so they could film using only candles and daylight.
Worth the money in my opinion.

I like the ending with the skillful French executioner doing his job.

I’ve put it on in the background most nights but tonight was actually the first episode that I paid any attention to. It seemed pretty good, mildly annoyed at myself for ignoring it now 😳

Bring Out The Bodies is soon to be shot as the next series.

I thought this one included both books? I read that bring out the bodies ended at Anne’s death?

No, Wolf Hall ends with the execution of Anne.

Superb. Mark Rylance was excellent. He was on Desert Island Discs the other week,lovely bloke.

I’m still in awe of how Mark Rylance can show so many thoughts and emotions whilst hardly changing his expression the whole series!

Quite. Really enjoyed it.

I don’t understand why Anne couldn’t say Cromwell though. Cremé Will.

Outstanding TV drama. Great to hear there will be a follow up.

I have to admit I didn’t study this period at school and my french gf knows more that I do 😳

The BBC does do costume drama rather well, doesn’t it! I’m begining to regret having missed it now.

It’s still on iPlayer. I’ve yet to see the final episode myself. I agree that Damian Lewis was the weak link. Anybody remember Keith Michell?

Not read the book yet (MsD is making heavy weather of it) but I know a little of the period anyway.
Bring Out The Bodies is soon to be shot as the next series.

She’s not making heavy weather of it, its a long book (worth it though). Bring up the bodies is good but there is a bit less ‘light’ to contrast the grimness.

More or less the first three episodes were Wolf Hall & the last three Bring up the Bodies

The next series will have to wait for the last book in the series (not published/written yet)

The BBC does do costume drama rather well, doesn’t it! I’m begining to regret having missed it now.

We watched 1-5 on catchup. In fact even last night we watched it 45 mins after it started (replay from start)

@RichieB as I understand it Bringing Up the Bodies covers the last 3 weeks of Ann Boleyn’s life, so some overlap with Wolf Hall. Yes or No ?

Yes that was a mix of both books, Hilary Mantel hasn’t written the next one yet.

@RichieB as I understand it Bringing Up the Bodies covers the last 3 weeks of Ann Boleyn’s life, so some overlap with Wolf Hall. Yes or No ?

No overlap (that I can remember) although there may be bits where he ‘remembers’ episodes from Wolf Hall. Its another long book (not a criticism) It covered the events leading to Ann Boleyn’s fall which I think cover more than three weeks. Sorry its a while since I read it and since then I re-read the Shardlake books so I’m not majorly clear on whats what

@Richie – what you say is what I read on the Guardian, was just checking as you’ve actually read it link

I like the ending with the skillful French executioner doing his job.

In reality the executioner botched it! he took several blows to kill her.

thought it was very good. Loved Bernard Hill. it was almost as good as last weeks Top Gear.

Though it’s fiction I thought is really captured what it must have been like living in a despotic society. The rumours, back stabbings, am I backing the right person. Then the out right terror on find your on the wrong side. I suppose the only consistency for the “high born” was to make sure you had a noble death.

thought that some of the actors were brilliant not just Rylance at the facial expression stuff. There were a number of scenes were the best part of the “dialog” whating the actors faces as they realised that they were no longer in favor.

Apparently (conjecture) that skillful executioner not what Cromwell got when his turn came. His enemies got the man with the axe pissed, it was all a bit messy.

It was great, but I do think it might be hard to follow without reading the books. Although Rylance is a fantastic actor, I am not sure that Cromwell was quite that nice. I am not sure there was enough genuine menace in the character.

Oh, was that the last episode, I was expecting him to lose his head too.

In reality the executioner botched it! he took several blows to kill her.

Source? That’s not how it is reported – I don’t recall much of the story of the Tudors but that’s a fact that sticks in my mind. As it was treason she should have been burnt, but Henry commuted it to beheading out of kindness, and then employed a french specialist to do the job cleanly, because using an axe was common and not always well performed.

He also ‘supposedly’ went hunting on the day to richmond park, but gave orders that a signal should be given once the job was done, that he could see from the high point in the park. To this day the sightline from henry’s mound to St Pauls is kept clear of trees and buildings.

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park/richmond-park-attractions/king-henrys-mound

It’s also a great place to watch the NYE fireworks from.

The poster may have been confusing it with Mary’s death under Elizabeth 2nd…

The poster may have been confusing it with Mary’s death under Elizabeth 2nd…

I don’t think the current queen will be pleased to be accused of that.

Retract, or you might be next……

Superb. Mark Rylance was excellent. He was on Desert Island Discs the other week,lovely bloke.

even though he’s a ‘Bard Denier’?

Retract, or you might be next……

😀

Mark Rylance’s eyebrows, and Claire Foy’s heaving bosom made it for me.

I don’t understand why Anne couldn’t say Cromwell though. Cremé Will.

I thought she was deliberately mocking him, or at least thats how I read it. Not seen the last two yet though.

It was very awesome. I thought Damian Lewis was quite good – he didn’t have a lot of lines, did what he could with them… although a proper method actor would have put on weight for the part, he did look like a guy in a beard and a fat suit at times !

And it does confirm his status as Go To Ginger Guy.

P.S I know it makes me a prole, but I am really looking forward to Poldark. I remember the original (on the re-runs, and kiwi tele was about 10 years behind at that time)

@hels, indeed the original was great and I saw it first time round 😳 . We stayed in a National Trust cottage in a beautiful small inlet/cove in Cornwall where they created the village for the series complete with a false church built of wood.

cyclelife – Member

I like the ending with the skillful French executioner doing his job.

In reality the executioner botched it! he took several blows to kill her. [/quote]

A bit like some of the modern French car that cannot do the job properly?

theotherjonv – Member
Source? That’s not how it is reported – I don’t recall much of the story of the Tudors but that’s a fact that sticks in my mind.

Yes, I thought lopping off someone’s head is not that difficult to be honest if you are a professional. That French executioner is a professional so should not be a problem.

Look at the Saudi executioner one quick lop and the head is off so long as the person remains still.

🙂

I think Damian Lewis played it very well, not hamming it up and not trying to steal the limelight from Cromwell and the other characters.

It was helpful to have wikipedia open whilst watching it as a lot of the script required better knowledge of the reformation era.

I wanted to dislike it for being a bit dull and quiet, but really enjoyed it in the end.

I watched the first episode, but gave up after that. It was way too slow and it’s not a period of history that I’m much interested in.
I was very impressed with Mark Rylance though, I have to say.

I wanted to dislike it for being a bit dull and quiet

I think a lot of people did, but I thought it added to the realism. There is far too much dialogue in most drama – we don’t rabbit on all the time do we? Well, apart from on here.

Even me a simple peasant enjoyed it.Although I did think it was about the other Cromwell before I started to watch 😳