Oh this was a delight.
Seeing the opening scenes and the light on the river, and the reeds. Made me feel how timeless this was.
It was made in the 1960s but it could have been 500 years ago. The talk of Richmond and Chelsea being of places of import and status reinforced that. Oh and a scene with the autumn winds throwing their weight arround made me think. Yes this is England. I know this place.
Well here we see the England I know being made.
I will presume my reader knows the story of the fall of Thomas More
The film ends with a gouty flushed Woolsley begging More to support him in the King's Great Matter. The King here played with menace by Robert Shaw I did not notice him. Henry roars, and threatens he dashes back to Richmond annoyed and mocks his flunkeys trying to follow him
and yet like Canute is bound by the tide. The river runs through this film. Royal barges, mud and boatmen who could be taxi drivers.
We have John Hurt, and Leo McKern both playing villians. Hurt is his first role.
Oh just go and watch it. I cannot do it justice here, with mere words. I note two things, this was more of a courtroom drama then I expected. It works well.
Secondly it has a female lead in More's daughter. We see Anne Boylen in passing. More's wife doesn't have as much to do .
it was simply superb
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