Directed: Alexander Korda

Year: 1933

Nominated: Best Film, Best Actor – Charles Laughton

Won: Best Actor – Charles Laughton

Plot in 25 Words: Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.  A slightly more sympathetic view of history’s greatest womaniser. At times  both funny and sad. A wonderfully alternative story.

In My Opinion: Henry VIII is a fairly renowned guy. Everyone knows of his sexploits. Exploits. Marital and otherwise.

He’s not what I would call a sympathetic character. At all.

This film went a long way towards changing my opinion of that. It was a surprisingly sweet and funny film. Painting Henry as a put upon man, who is merely unlucky in love. It neatly glasses over the horrific things he did in the name of ‘love’ and instead depicts a sad character, destined to forever be alone.

Star Performer: Charles Laughton as Henry himself. A bimbling genial grandfather type. Almost cuddly and lovable.

Overall: I came so close to finding him pitiful! The magic powers of Charles Laughton nearly had me feeling sympathy for one of history’s baddest bad guys.