I felt inspired to rewatch it (again) after coming across Dr. Paranque’s video here and all 4 seasons hold up so well. Speaking from a production standpoint - the budget was the largest of its day, and that reflects in the series visually, and particularly the men’s wardrobes. It still looks amazing & much more rich in visual depth than the cheapened, soft lightened soap opera style of say “Reign”, or those Starz PG adaptations! ❤
That scene where Thomas Boleyn is reassuring Henry about his calves being the best made me laugh. 😂 I absolutely loved the scenes with Catherine of Aragon. The actress who plays her gives her so much emotional depth.
The show in season 1 makes Henry seem like a young man just accenting to the throne, when in reality, according to the events in the show, he would have been married to Catherine for nearly 20 years. He would have been early 30s at least
Slight correction. In the show they call the old King the King of Portugal, so if I recall correctly they're smushing together Margaret and Mary. And I realise someone else has pointed this out below more accurately because they're quite right... neither ever married anyone from Portugal 😂😂😂
I think they were afraid that people would confuse Mary Tudor, king's sister with Mary Tudor, king's daughter, so they cut the first one out and sort of gave her part to Margaret Tudor. Although she married the old king of France, not Portugal. But as they've already had Francis be king of France, they couldn't do that. Also, the timeline is quite messed up, as she married Brandon in 1515, almost 20 years before Henry married Anne (1533) and had 4 children with him.
The Tudors means a GREAT DEAL to me as someone who is in my 30s now having had my whole life and eventual course of study be impacted by this series… it came out at just the right time for me to be of certain age that had such huge influence over me as a fresh Uni student and on my interests. It was because of this show that I pursued a History degree and now I work in historical advising for productions here in Los Angeles! Despite its many liberties, Michael Hirst really captured something special overall… particularly in the genius casting all around - Northam as Sir Thomas More, Sir Sam Neill as Woolsey, Dormer as AB… but my fave still remains the stunning Jonathan Rhys Meyers as KH8. Hirst had to know the rules in order to break them and his deliberate choice to cast based on energy or presence rather than the generic physical details like his weight or red hair (he was by all accounts a super fox when he was young though!) was a brilliant one. Jonny taps into the pure essence of who I’ve always felt Henry was, and we see that in so many subtle & not so subtle ways in his performance over the series! I’m so glad you’re also a historian who can have fun with creative license and appreciate art / storytelling vs. historical fact. So often many of our peers and colleagues become far too stiff when it comes to these sort of things. It’s important to have fun!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I envy you so much!! What a dream job!! And yes you are right it is about energy more than physical characteristics and there is so many things that this show has completely nailed down even if there are some inaccuracies. Thank you for being here! 😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@ElleHistoryI love your book and I am a massive fan of your work and channel! These gigs would be right up your alley… if you ever travel to LA, let me know! ❤
I have not watched this show in ages, can't remember the last time I watched an episode. I'll have to go back and watch it again. Johnathon who plays Henry is Irish, and I guess that's always made me chuckle a bit. As well I remember hearing about in different articles and interviews that there wasn't a real attraction between Natalie and Johnathon, but you wouldn't know that by watching the show. Knowing the things I know now would make re-watching the show interesting. Can't wait to see what you think of the other episodes, especially season two.
I will always love the Show because it was what kickstarted my passion for the period. I actually liked picking out what they got right or wrong while diving into the wonderful works of historians. But for me, the worst inaccuracy is merging Mary and Margaret Tudor. Both of them were so important for what was to come, both so fascinating in their own right.
Thank you so much for reviewing this series. The one I love to hate. I have always loved Maria Doyle Kennedy's portrayal of Catherine, but the historical mistakes make my head hurt. I cannot wait to see your reviews of the rest of the episodes.
The thing about that timeline you mentioned at about 17:17. In the show, Her name was Margaret to avoid confusion between her and Princess Mary, his daughter. And she was sent to Portugal and not France
@@ElleHistory Philippa Gregory got me into England's history just because of how much I yearn for the woman's perspective. high school made me loathe history but things like this feed something in my soul. thank you for going so deep into it and holding these fictional history shows to account. I'm definitely going to be getting your books! 😁
The Mary/Margaret storyline was the thing I hated most about season 1 of "The Tudors." Henry had two sisters, and neither one married (or murdered) the King of Portugal. Margaret married the King of Scotland before Henry even became King, and Mary married the King of France years before the Field of Cloth of Gold. I understand that the showrunner wanted to simplify things so that the focus would stay on the Henry/Anne storyline, but it was a short-sighted decision IMO, because no Margaret means no Mary Queen of Scots. Have you gotten to the episode where Marguerite of Angouleme sleeps with Henry? I almost threw something at my TV.
@@EVELYN-qk4wq there was, except that it was never personal between Catherine and Margaret. Scotland and France were traditionally allies (the "Auld Alliance") so when Henry VIII invaded France in 1513 Margaret's husband James IV in turn decided to declare war on England over Margaret's objections. This led to the Battle of Flodden Field, at which James IV was killed. Catherine understandably was proud of her victory but also concerned for her widowed sister-in-law, and sent her sympathetic messages after James's death.
@@EVELYN-qk4wqatherine was regent but wasn't really involved in the war. She was pregnant at the other side of the country and there to send support. She claimed it as a victory later as proof of her competence, but it was just a way of wording it, she wasn't leading the army as is sometimes inferred.
I like the chemistry of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon in The Spanish Princess and I also like how the Spanish Princess shows both sisters Mary and Margaret
This was so good! I love the Tudors, but the show is my guilty pleasure. I can name almost every mistake in the show but it's amazing anyway. I can't wait for more episodes from you!
I just started watching this show for the first time within the last few months and I’m so impressed with how good it is. The representation of the queens is really quite forward thinking! Anne’s concerns about the poor and religious reform are represented, which is so refreshing. But season 1 did have some bizarre choices for sure. A real loss that the writers combined Mary and Margaret Tudor into a deflated character, although Gabrielle Anwar was spectacular as always! Thanks, Dr. Paranque! I’m looking forward to your upcoming reviews of this show. ❤️
I feel it was a very poor choice to cast a mature 37 year old woman to play the young 18 year old Princess Mary (Margaret in the show). She was meant to be a beautiful 18 year old girl, sent to marry a 57 year old man - a lot of people at court thought it was a waste of a young princess.
I've been studying Tudor history since I was a young girl, and that was decades ago. I could barely get through the first episode. Every so often, I checked back to see if I could deal with the soap opera aspects and historical inaccuracies of the series, but I couldn't. Many viewers enjoyed the series, but I wanted to throw something at the TV.
Is the scene of Katherine coming into room during the King's celebration of Henry Fitzroy and toasting him historically accurate? I could only have imagined her embarrassment and shame having to do that.
Thank you so very much for this video! I do love The Tudors but I am so interested in how accurate it was. I'm excited for more of your videos on this show thank you 💕
Wow that was an amazing video thank you very much for reacting on it the way you analize the events of the scene and compares it to the reality is amazing and also because of you i this i was able to saw some of the scenes which i havent scene because i couldn't find the series on TH-cam 😅thank you very much🙏
I was obsessed with this show for several years. I watched it over and over and OVER again. It really sparked my interest in the Tudor period and before the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend a series in the same vein on Prime or Netflix? I need a new obsession!
It annoyed me when they start with talking about starting from the beginning in the introduction and then skip over the start of his life, reign with all the events that proceed Anne Boleyn. Then they mess with the timeline to include things. They want to add his sister Mary love story ignoring Margaret's story, when Margaret is the ancestor of the current Royal family.
I love this show, inaccuracies and all. I especially love the portrayal of Thomas More. As for Henry Fitzroy not only does he live to be 17, but he is also present at the execution of Anne Boleyn. Re: Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII...I think he gets the temperament right, but I think the actor who played the Duke of Buckingham (Steve Waddington) would have been a better fit in terms of physical resemblance. He is tall and broad, with red hair and a ruddy complexion...just like Henry VIII.
I've always thought this as well but I assumed that Showtime's producers must have known what they were doing when casting Johnathan Rhys Meyers. I never had an issue with his casting after the execution of the Duke of Buckingham episode. Meaning, the casting choice didn't take me out of the story up until the very last episode when it kind of felt forced.
Catherine of Aragon is well done, but FAR too old compared to Henry, and compresses her timeline. The six-year age difference is more like 16, and that doesn’t play well on-screen.
I know we're nowhere near season 4 but the worst thing The Tudors did IMO was its portrayal of Edward and Anne Seymour's marriage. They could have and should have been the ultimate power couple on the show! There's nothing in history to suggest that their marriage was unhappy. It's like they took Edward Seymour's two wives and mashed them into one character so that they could make her be unfaithful to him. Anne Seymour has some great moments in the show, but it could have been so much better.
Actually, the most recent research shows that no one knows if she played Perseverance. Knowing personally the historians of HRP I’m sure they’ll update their website in due course :)
I've always loved history especially about kings, and queens, since I was a little girl. But I never really understood, or became obsessed with the Tudors, until I was 18 when this show was out, which mad me dive even deeper into the realm of English history. Of course, this historic show isn't fully accurate, but the debate is for me, if it was fully accurate, it's a documentary, then say a show or movie. As a performer myself who again love's history, I've done many historical roles which is fare from truth. However, I always say if the story hit's home in a way even if a historical person never actually did something they are known for in myth, or whatever. I try to see myself as this person regardless. And thank you for not smashing this series to pieces, because it's not as accurate from actual historic events even from the costume choices. which I've seen many history lovers just bash a movie or show just because the clothing is a bit off. again, thank you for that.
I agree with you. Shows and documentaries and books have all different purposes but they all work with the same goal: ignite some interest in a time period. Thanks so much for watching my content and your comment!
In the show Margaret was married to the king of Portugal not the king of france (obviously not historically accurate) so it doesn’t go from king of france to the other.
Mary Tudor was not pictured marrying the French king in this show. She marries the king of Portugal. (Yes- TOTALLY historically wrong. Welcome to the Tudors)
The Tudors was so embarrassingly historically off, but the show was entertaining. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is great actor, but he’s way too thin to play Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon was not dark-haired-she was auburn-haired, though I love Maria Doyle Kennedy. It was a great show, but don’t expect reality. On the upside, maybe it interested people in learning the real story (I’ve studied them for decades, though not a historian).
The king "Margaret" was marrying in the show was the king of Portugal and not Louis XII of France. That storyline and combining Henry's two sisters into one was the show's greatest travesty. Did you know that the writers wanted to make Anne a blonde at first and would've done so if Natalie didn't fight for her to be a brunette? (Though I've read recently that she might've actually been a redhead 🤯) I wonder how many more changes they were originally going to make. I know that TV dramas aren't documentaries and that there are changes that have to be made to accommodate the medium and what not, but there has to be a certain limit to the liberties taken if the show is to be taken seriously as a portrayal of a certain period/historical figure, otherwise go all the way with the "loosely based / only vibes" approach like Hulu's The Great (which I LOVE!) That being said, this show was my introduction into Tudor History (I'd never heard of them before, but I saw a promo pic of Natalie looking 🔥 and knew it was a period drama so I was immediately sold 😂) and it'll forever have a place in my heart. And the acting really was splendid 👌🏼I 100% agree about Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. He may lack the physical resemblance, but he nailed the bratty, entitled, egotistic, delusional king part to a T As always, thanks for another great video 💛 Looking forward to the next part 😃
Yes totally. This storyline was so annoying. Natalie is so great as a brunette but physical ressemblances don’t bother me as much, it’s more the portrayal that matters most to me. Yes I like the show and in the next video I cover more the positives as I know that more annoying bits are coming in the next series haha! Thank you so much for all your support and I’ll review The Great at some point! 😊🙏🏻
@@ElleHistory Oh physical resemblance doesn't bother me at all either. I apologize I must've failed at conveying my point accurately 😅 I'll try again but I suck at this so please bear with me. I meant that whereas in Jonathan's case he was already a brunette and dyeing his hair red was an unnecessary hassle because the only thing that was required of him was giving life to his character, Natalie had already dyed her hair brown and the writers/producers wanted her to change it back to blonde, so it's not like they found a blonde actress who fits the bill and they didn't want her to go through the trouble of dyeing her hair, they already had a brunette and wanted her to be a blonde. Why? Did they want to make her a stereotypical 2000s mean girl (which is kinda the vibe I got from early season one before Natalie started getting more involved in the writing process)? Anne is particularly known for having stood out among pale skinned golden haired English roses and I see no good reason for wanting her to be a blonde. I'm sorry I know I seem petty harping on about this tiny point but it's what it signifies about the writers' approach that I'm pointing at. It seems that they had originally wanted to typecast Anne into some sort of a femme fatale seductress and ignore her other nuances and complexities and that's what bugged me. I did enjoy the show but I just wanted to mention this so thanks for bearing with me Looking forward to your review of The Great 😃💛 I should hurry up and finish season 3 😂
Was Henry so misogynistic, though? If he really believed women were unfit to rule, he wouldn't make two of his queens regents, would he?? My favourite scene is when someone suggests that maybe God wants Mary to be queen, Henry cuts it by saying remember what happened to Matilda? I wished so much they explored it more and they never do. Henry's argument that the only attempt at female queen ended up in civil war and he's trying to avoid it, since England just got out of war of the roses... so much more complex than simply making him sexist
Funny part of Tudors is that they removed Margaret Tudor from the story, but kept her granddaughter Mary Queen of Scots as they talk/plot about her in the last season. How was she supposed to be related to Henry VIII in The Tudors? In making an historical fiction you would think they would realize its important to show the bloodline that inherited the crown. At least Spanish Princess focus a lot on Margaret.
As blatantly inaccurate as this show was at times, this seems overshadowed by the great acting performances by the cast. The 18th century-like cleavage did bug me quite a bit, especially with some of Catherine of Aragon's gowns, and a modest Catholic lady such as the Queen would never, ever show off her cleavage.
What gets me is the in accuracy of the style of riding the horses, the wrong saddles, bits , riding with two hands, it's apaling. It's done much better in the White Queen which i think was also an American production. Being a barock horse rider it is cringe worthy to see in the Tudors. Not even Yankee boys style which would also have been one handed but no english hunting style lol at best
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
Who doesn't love The Tudors, hard to believe this series is almost 20 years old. But great entertainment even today. Thanks Elle 😊
I am glad they made it. I bet they would not make it today if they hadn’t done it
Thank you so much, Jon! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊
@@ElleHistory You should watch the Starz series the White Queen?
I felt inspired to rewatch it (again) after coming across Dr. Paranque’s video here and all 4 seasons hold up so well. Speaking from a production standpoint - the budget was the largest of its day, and that reflects in the series visually, and particularly the men’s wardrobes. It still looks amazing & much more rich in visual depth than the cheapened, soft lightened soap opera style of say “Reign”, or those Starz PG adaptations! ❤
Shut the door .. 🚪
Natalie Dormer as queen Anne Boleyn made me interested in the series. Tudors is my favorites tv show.
She is phenomenal isn’t she…
That scene where Thomas Boleyn is reassuring Henry about his calves being the best made me laugh. 😂
I absolutely loved the scenes with Catherine of Aragon. The actress who plays her gives her so much emotional depth.
Oh the actress that plays Catherine is amazing!
Thanks so much for watching! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
she played a really good villain in Downton Abbey too!
@@dineyashworth8578she's fantastic in Outlander too.
The show in season 1 makes Henry seem like a young man just accenting to the throne, when in reality, according to the events in the show, he would have been married to Catherine for nearly 20 years. He would have been early 30s at least
finally someone reacts to the tudors!!!
Slight correction. In the show they call the old King the King of Portugal, so if I recall correctly they're smushing together Margaret and Mary.
And I realise someone else has pointed this out below more accurately because they're quite right... neither ever married anyone from Portugal 😂😂😂
I think they were afraid that people would confuse Mary Tudor, king's sister with Mary Tudor, king's daughter, so they cut the first one out and sort of gave her part to Margaret Tudor. Although she married the old king of France, not Portugal. But as they've already had Francis be king of France, they couldn't do that. Also, the timeline is quite messed up, as she married Brandon in 1515, almost 20 years before Henry married Anne (1533) and had 4 children with him.
The Tudors means a GREAT DEAL to me as someone who is in my 30s now having had my whole life and eventual course of study be impacted by this series… it came out at just the right time for me to be of certain age that had such huge influence over me as a fresh Uni student and on my interests. It was because of this show that I pursued a History degree and now I work in historical advising for productions here in Los Angeles!
Despite its many liberties, Michael Hirst really captured something special overall… particularly in the genius casting all around - Northam as Sir Thomas More, Sir Sam Neill as Woolsey, Dormer as AB… but my fave still remains the stunning Jonathan Rhys Meyers as KH8. Hirst had to know the rules in order to break them and his deliberate choice to cast based on energy or presence rather than the generic physical details like his weight or red hair (he was by all accounts a super fox when he was young though!) was a brilliant one. Jonny taps into the pure essence of who I’ve always felt Henry was, and we see that in so many subtle & not so subtle ways in his performance over the series!
I’m so glad you’re also a historian who can have fun with creative license and appreciate art / storytelling vs. historical fact. So often many of our peers and colleagues become far too stiff when it comes to these sort of things. It’s important to have fun!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I envy you so much!! What a dream job!!
And yes you are right it is about energy more than physical characteristics and there is so many things that this show has completely nailed down even if there are some inaccuracies.
Thank you for being here! 😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@ElleHistoryI love your book and I am a massive fan of your work and channel! These gigs would be right up your alley… if you ever travel to LA, let me know! ❤
I have not watched this show in ages, can't remember the last time I watched an episode. I'll have to go back and watch it again. Johnathon who plays Henry is Irish, and I guess that's always made me chuckle a bit. As well I remember hearing about in different articles and interviews that there wasn't a real attraction between Natalie and Johnathon, but you wouldn't know that by watching the show. Knowing the things I know now would make re-watching the show interesting. Can't wait to see what you think of the other episodes, especially season two.
Yes I’m so happy to be reviewing the show thoroughly. Thanks so much for watching and engaging with the content! 🙏🏻😊
I will always love the Show because it was what kickstarted my passion for the period.
I actually liked picking out what they got right or wrong while diving into the wonderful works of historians.
But for me, the worst inaccuracy is merging Mary and Margaret Tudor. Both of them were so important for what was to come, both so fascinating in their own right.
Oh totally… this storyline was so frustrated but I’m also trying to discuss the good parts :) more to come! 😊🙏🏻
Thank you so much for reviewing this series. The one I love to hate. I have always loved Maria Doyle Kennedy's portrayal of Catherine, but the historical mistakes make my head hurt. I cannot wait to see your reviews of the rest of the episodes.
Maria Doyle Kennedy is indeed an amazing Catherine of Aragon! 😊🙏🏻 thanks so much for watching my content! 🙏🏻
The thing about that timeline you mentioned at about 17:17. In the show, Her name was Margaret to avoid confusion between her and Princess Mary, his daughter. And she was sent to Portugal and not France
I'm so glad you're doing this
Oh im so glad you’re enjoying the videos! 🙏🏻
@@ElleHistory Philippa Gregory got me into England's history just because of how much I yearn for the woman's perspective. high school made me loathe history but things like this feed something in my soul. thank you for going so deep into it and holding these fictional history shows to account. I'm definitely going to be getting your books! 😁
@@GuerillaWelder Thank you so much! So happy you found my channel and to have you here!!
The Mary/Margaret storyline was the thing I hated most about season 1 of "The Tudors." Henry had two sisters, and neither one married (or murdered) the King of Portugal. Margaret married the King of Scotland before Henry even became King, and Mary married the King of France years before the Field of Cloth of Gold. I understand that the showrunner wanted to simplify things so that the focus would stay on the Henry/Anne storyline, but it was a short-sighted decision IMO, because no Margaret means no Mary Queen of Scots.
Have you gotten to the episode where Marguerite of Angouleme sleeps with Henry? I almost threw something at my TV.
The whole sister storyline was ridiculous. Let's blend them together and have her marry the King of Portugal...so inaccurate.
I agree. Maybe I am wrong, but wasn't there kind of a "war" between Margaret and Catherine of Aragon (who killed Margaret's husband?)
@@EVELYN-qk4wq there was, except that it was never personal between Catherine and Margaret. Scotland and France were traditionally allies (the "Auld Alliance") so when Henry VIII invaded France in 1513 Margaret's husband James IV in turn decided to declare war on England over Margaret's objections. This led to the Battle of Flodden Field, at which James IV was killed. Catherine understandably was proud of her victory but also concerned for her widowed sister-in-law, and sent her sympathetic messages after James's death.
@@EVELYN-qk4wqatherine was regent but wasn't really involved in the war. She was pregnant at the other side of the country and there to send support. She claimed it as a victory later as proof of her competence, but it was just a way of wording it, she wasn't leading the army as is sometimes inferred.
I agree with you.
Yes I did… it was hard to watch haha
I like the chemistry of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon in The Spanish Princess and I also like how the Spanish Princess shows both sisters Mary and Margaret
Yes!
This was so good! I love the Tudors, but the show is my guilty pleasure. I can name almost every mistake in the show but it's amazing anyway. I can't wait for more episodes from you!
It is such a great show despite all the inaccuracies. So fun to review it! Thanks so much for watching! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
An old king who marries Henry’s sister is the “king of Portugal” for some reason 😂
I just started watching this show for the first time within the last few months and I’m so impressed with how good it is. The representation of the queens is really quite forward thinking! Anne’s concerns about the poor and religious reform are represented, which is so refreshing. But season 1 did have some bizarre choices for sure. A real loss that the writers combined Mary and Margaret Tudor into a deflated character, although Gabrielle Anwar was spectacular as always! Thanks, Dr. Paranque! I’m looking forward to your upcoming reviews of this show. ❤️
I’m so grateful to have you as part of my audience. Thank you so much for watching my content. I’m glad you enjoyed it. More videos coming 🥰🙏🏻
I wish I could re live rewatching it for the first time!! Lucky you!! ❤❤ I agree
I feel it was a very poor choice to cast a mature 37 year old woman to play the young 18 year old Princess Mary (Margaret in the show). She was meant to be a beautiful 18 year old girl, sent to marry a 57 year old man - a lot of people at court thought it was a waste of a young princess.
Shows like Wolf Hall and Becoming Elizabeth make the Tudors look even more like the glorified soap opera that it was.
I've been studying Tudor history since I was a young girl, and that was decades ago. I could barely get through the first episode. Every so often, I checked back to see if I could deal with the soap opera aspects and historical inaccuracies of the series, but I couldn't. Many viewers enjoyed the series, but I wanted to throw something at the TV.
Is the scene of Katherine coming into room during the King's celebration of Henry Fitzroy and toasting him historically accurate? I could only have imagined her embarrassment and shame having to do that.
Honestly I haven't seen any record of it but maybe she did to support her husband... She showed so much humility...
Natalie Dormer as queen Anne Boleyn made me interested in the series!! Although inaccurate at times lovely to watch. Love hearing your thoughts.
I love Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn
Thank you so very much for this video! I do love The Tudors but I am so interested in how accurate it was. I'm excited for more of your videos on this show thank you 💕
Thank you so much for watching my content! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Wow that was an amazing video thank you very much for reacting on it the way you analize the events of the scene and compares it to the reality is amazing and also because of you i this i was able to saw some of the scenes which i havent scene because i couldn't find the series on TH-cam 😅thank you very much🙏
Thank you so much for watching! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 your support means a lot!
I was obsessed with this show for several years. I watched it over and over and OVER again. It really sparked my interest in the Tudor period and before the Tudor period. Can anyone recommend a series in the same vein on Prime or Netflix? I need a new obsession!
Last kingdom or vikings valhalla
@ I have watched both
It annoyed me when they start with talking about starting from the beginning in the introduction and then skip over the start of his life, reign with all the events that proceed Anne Boleyn.
Then they mess with the timeline to include things.
They want to add his sister Mary love story ignoring Margaret's story, when Margaret is the ancestor of the current Royal family.
I love this show, inaccuracies and all. I especially love the portrayal of Thomas More.
As for Henry Fitzroy not only does he live to be 17, but he is also present at the execution of Anne Boleyn.
Re: Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII...I think he gets the temperament right, but I think the actor who played the Duke of Buckingham (Steve Waddington) would have been a better fit in terms of physical resemblance. He is tall and broad, with red hair and a ruddy complexion...just like Henry VIII.
100 percent
I've always thought this as well but I assumed that Showtime's producers must have known what they were doing when casting Johnathan Rhys Meyers. I never had an issue with his casting after the execution of the Duke of Buckingham episode. Meaning, the casting choice didn't take me out of the story up until the very last episode when it kind of felt forced.
Catherine of Aragon is well done, but FAR too old compared to Henry, and compresses her timeline. The six-year age difference is more like 16, and that doesn’t play well on-screen.
Loved to know your expert opinion on this. The Tudors is a great TV show despite its inaccuracies. Merci beaucoup 🙏
Thank you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
And of course, Henry uses this illegitimate son to humiliate poor Catherine
I know we're nowhere near season 4 but the worst thing The Tudors did IMO was its portrayal of Edward and Anne Seymour's marriage. They could have and should have been the ultimate power couple on the show! There's nothing in history to suggest that their marriage was unhappy. It's like they took Edward Seymour's two wives and mashed them into one character so that they could make her be unfaithful to him. Anne Seymour has some great moments in the show, but it could have been so much better.
I totally agree with you. This was highly disappointing for sure!!!
Its also confirmed by historians its even on the historic royal palaces website that Anne Boleyn was perseverance.
Actually, the most recent research shows that no one knows if she played Perseverance. Knowing personally the historians of HRP I’m sure they’ll update their website in due course :)
I've always loved history especially about kings, and queens, since I was a little girl. But I never really understood, or became obsessed with the Tudors, until I was 18 when this show was out, which mad me dive even deeper into the realm of English history. Of course, this historic show isn't fully accurate, but the debate is for me, if it was fully accurate, it's a documentary, then say a show or movie. As a performer myself who again love's history, I've done many historical roles which is fare from truth. However, I always say if the story hit's home in a way even if a historical person never actually did something they are known for in myth, or whatever. I try to see myself as this person regardless. And thank you for not smashing this series to pieces, because it's not as accurate from actual historic events even from the costume choices. which I've seen many history lovers just bash a movie or show just because the clothing is a bit off. again, thank you for that.
I agree with you. Shows and documentaries and books have all different purposes but they all work with the same goal: ignite some interest in a time period.
Thanks so much for watching my content and your comment!
In the show Margaret was married to the king of Portugal not the king of france (obviously not historically accurate) so it doesn’t go from king of france to the other.
Mary Tudor was not pictured marrying the French king in this show. She marries the king of Portugal. (Yes- TOTALLY historically wrong. Welcome to the Tudors)
I agree with you that the acting is good but as far as accuracy, it is about 30 percent accurate
I loved your thoughts on all of these! 😂 I loved the show the tudors but it was very cringe historically 😂
Thanks so much! More videos on this show are coming! So much to unpack and to say!
I know this show is super accurate but i absolutely love this show so much 😂😂
There are some good bits in this show for sure!
The Tudors was so embarrassingly historically off, but the show was entertaining. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is great actor, but he’s way too thin to play Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon was not dark-haired-she was auburn-haired, though I love Maria Doyle Kennedy. It was a great show, but don’t expect reality. On the upside, maybe it interested people in learning the real story (I’ve studied them for decades, though not a historian).
The king "Margaret" was marrying in the show was the king of Portugal and not Louis XII of France. That storyline and combining Henry's two sisters into one was the show's greatest travesty. Did you know that the writers wanted to make Anne a blonde at first and would've done so if Natalie didn't fight for her to be a brunette? (Though I've read recently that she might've actually been a redhead 🤯) I wonder how many more changes they were originally going to make. I know that TV dramas aren't documentaries and that there are changes that have to be made to accommodate the medium and what not, but there has to be a certain limit to the liberties taken if the show is to be taken seriously as a portrayal of a certain period/historical figure, otherwise go all the way with the "loosely based / only vibes" approach like Hulu's The Great (which I LOVE!)
That being said, this show was my introduction into Tudor History (I'd never heard of them before, but I saw a promo pic of Natalie looking 🔥 and knew it was a period drama so I was immediately sold 😂) and it'll forever have a place in my heart. And the acting really was splendid 👌🏼I 100% agree about Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. He may lack the physical resemblance, but he nailed the bratty, entitled, egotistic, delusional king part to a T
As always, thanks for another great video 💛 Looking forward to the next part 😃
Yes totally. This storyline was so annoying.
Natalie is so great as a brunette but physical ressemblances don’t bother me as much, it’s more the portrayal that matters most to me.
Yes I like the show and in the next video I cover more the positives as I know that more annoying bits are coming in the next series haha!
Thank you so much for all your support and I’ll review The Great at some point! 😊🙏🏻
@@ElleHistory Oh physical resemblance doesn't bother me at all either. I apologize I must've failed at conveying my point accurately 😅 I'll try again but I suck at this so please bear with me. I meant that whereas in Jonathan's case he was already a brunette and dyeing his hair red was an unnecessary hassle because the only thing that was required of him was giving life to his character, Natalie had already dyed her hair brown and the writers/producers wanted her to change it back to blonde, so it's not like they found a blonde actress who fits the bill and they didn't want her to go through the trouble of dyeing her hair, they already had a brunette and wanted her to be a blonde. Why? Did they want to make her a stereotypical 2000s mean girl (which is kinda the vibe I got from early season one before Natalie started getting more involved in the writing process)? Anne is particularly known for having stood out among pale skinned golden haired English roses and I see no good reason for wanting her to be a blonde. I'm sorry I know I seem petty harping on about this tiny point but it's what it signifies about the writers' approach that I'm pointing at. It seems that they had originally wanted to typecast Anne into some sort of a femme fatale seductress and ignore her other nuances and complexities and that's what bugged me. I did enjoy the show but I just wanted to mention this so thanks for bearing with me
Looking forward to your review of The Great 😃💛 I should hurry up and finish season 3 😂
Oh I get it completely and I agree!! I’m so grateful for all your comments and for engaging with my content. It means a lot!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊
@@ElleHistory 🤗🤗
I do not believe that "toxic masculinity" exists, but other than that, I really enjoyed your review!
Thank you!
Was Henry so misogynistic, though? If he really believed women were unfit to rule, he wouldn't make two of his queens regents, would he??
My favourite scene is when someone suggests that maybe God wants Mary to be queen, Henry cuts it by saying remember what happened to Matilda? I wished so much they explored it more and they never do. Henry's argument that the only attempt at female queen ended up in civil war and he's trying to avoid it, since England just got out of war of the roses... so much more complex than simply making him sexist
Funny part of Tudors is that they removed Margaret Tudor from the story, but kept her granddaughter Mary Queen of Scots as they talk/plot about her in the last season. How was she supposed to be related to Henry VIII in The Tudors? In making an historical fiction you would think they would realize its important to show the bloodline that inherited the crown. At least Spanish Princess focus a lot on Margaret.
can i ask smt, where to watch The Tudors💀
As blatantly inaccurate as this show was at times, this seems overshadowed by the great acting performances by the cast. The 18th century-like cleavage did bug me quite a bit, especially with some of Catherine of Aragon's gowns, and a modest Catholic lady such as the Queen would never, ever show off her cleavage.
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What gets me is the in accuracy of the style of riding the horses, the wrong saddles, bits , riding with two hands, it's apaling. It's done much better in the White Queen which i think was also an American production. Being a barock horse rider it is cringe worthy to see in the Tudors. Not even Yankee boys style which would also have been one handed but no english hunting style lol at best