Ramblings from a Housewife: Saturday Matinee: Anne of a Thousand Days

Turner Classic Movies is doing a 31 Days of Oscar theme this month in honor of the Academy Awards. If you have not checked in on thier schedule of film showing, please do so...you will be sure to catch some real gems.

This week TCM had quiet a few movies dealing with the Tudor Dynasty and one I enjoyed was Anne of a Thousand Days. I am sure part of my enjoyment came from the fact that I enjoy most things dealing with Anne Boleyn.

Most of us know the story from history class or from watching Showtimes "The Tutors" so I will just give a quick plot summery....

"Henry VIII of England discards one wife Katharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of a young and beautiful woman, Anne Boleyn, whose one-thousand-day reign as Queen of England ends with the loss of her head on the block. Henry weds Ann and soon she gives him a child. The girl, Elizabeth, is a bitter disappointment to Henry, who desperately wants an heir. Anne promises Henry a son "next time," but Henry is doubtful. Shortly thereafter, rumors begin that the King's eye has already wandered. One Jane Seymour is at court for a moment. The Queen has her sent away, but, if Anne will bring Jane back to court, the King promises to sign the Act of Succession to insure that Elizabeth will be Queen." from the Internet Movie Database

I enjoyed this movie. I especially enjoyed Geneviève Bujold's performance of Anne Boleyn. She portrayed Anne as a spirited, seductive, manipulitive, and beautiful Queen. This is how I think of Anne Boleyn and enjoyed watching Geneviève Bujold on screen.

One of her last scenes, in the tower, was very dramatic. She informed King Henry that her blood would rule one day...and she was right as their daughter Elizabeth became Queen of England.

"But Elizabeth is yours. Watch her as she grows; she's yours. She's a Tudor! Get yourself a son off of that sweet, pale girl if you can - and hope that he will live! But Elizabeth shall reign after you! Yes, Elizabeth - child of Anne the Whore and Henry the Blood-Stained Lecher - shall be Queen! And remember this: Elizabeth shall be a greater queen than any king of yours! She shall rule a greater England than you could ever have built! Yes - MY Elizabeth SHALL BE QUEEN! And my blood will have been well spent" from the film Anne of a Thousand Days

Geneviève Bujold is an absolutely beautiful lady. She was nominated for Best Actress for this film, however she did not win. She did win the Golden Globe that year (which I much prefer watching over the Oscars, even thought I never miss either ceremony) To read more about this lovely actress, please visit Internet Movie Database or Wikipedia.

Of course King Henry was as ruthless and as bullish as he always. Richard Burton played King Henry and did it well. He too was nominated for the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actor, but he was passed over that year for both. The film had a total of 16 award nominations and took home 5 statues between the Academy Awards and Golden Globe, doing better with the Globes. The Oscar win was for Best Costume which I always enjoy seeing. The Golden Globe wins were for Best Actress - Drama, Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director, Best Screen Play. If you are able to catch this on TCM or able to rent it, I highly recommend.