....the script is based on the novels written by Hilary Mantel. Most knowledgeable film buffs have seen the 1966 classic 'A Man For All Seasons' starring Paul Schofield as Thomas More and the explosive performance by Leo McKern as Thomas Cromwell.
This is an excellent presentation and an alternative view of the two with the former not arriving until the 2nd episode and is done away with by the 4th. Cromwell figures throughout.
The intent by both the writer and director was to make Cromwell a more sympathetic man, more nuanced. However no matter how 'kind' his countenance by Rylance, as Cromwell, his Machiavellian chess moves are all for himself.
Cromwell is as Schofield referred to John Heard who played Richard Rich when he confronts his perjury at his (More's) trial and upon hearing the king has appointed Dick as the attorney general for Wales says - "What does it profit a man to gain .... but for Wales?" History is replete with men who came from nothing and achieved great things - we admire such. We see their drive and ambition as something to emulate. The script writer make much of the class distinction between Cromwell's truly humble origins, son of a blacksmith, and the Norman descendants - Lords, Dukes, Earls et. al.. Throughout the 6 part series several of the latter make it a point to make Cromwell know what they think of his heritage and what an upstart he is.
Now to Cromwell himself - Rylance attempts very nobly to give this cruel individual a 'conscience' but, as is always the case, facts trump ideas. If one could make a comparison to Cromwell from the past 20th Century two names come to mind swiftly - Albert Speer and Lavrentiy Beria.
Cromwell is the same - he uses people in support of the king. He never for a moment ever considers what he is doing is wrong and sinful. He plays Protestant adherents off against Catholics and resorts to torture and threat of such to coerce the testimony his king and he wants. He hesitates to close the deal on a woman he's drawn to and too late sees her taken by another (the King). His obsession to have admittedly arrogant young nobles held and tried for treason and adultery and executed for their portrayal of a comical presentation of Cardinal Wolsey going into hell My biggest regret is we didn't see what happened historically to Cromwell. He was beheaded in 1540 - he 'd made far too many enemies and burned far too many bridges.
This is an excellent presentation and an alternative view of the two with the former not arriving until the 2nd episode and is done away with by the 4th. Cromwell figures throughout.
The intent by both the writer and director was to make Cromwell a more sympathetic man, more nuanced. However no matter how 'kind' his countenance by Rylance, as Cromwell, his Machiavellian chess moves are all for himself.
Cromwell is as Schofield referred to John Heard who played Richard Rich when he confronts his perjury at his (More's) trial and upon hearing the king has appointed Dick as the attorney general for Wales says - "What does it profit a man to gain .... but for Wales?" History is replete with men who came from nothing and achieved great things - we admire such. We see their drive and ambition as something to emulate. The script writer make much of the class distinction between Cromwell's truly humble origins, son of a blacksmith, and the Norman descendants - Lords, Dukes, Earls et. al.. Throughout the 6 part series several of the latter make it a point to make Cromwell know what they think of his heritage and what an upstart he is.
Now to Cromwell himself - Rylance attempts very nobly to give this cruel individual a 'conscience' but, as is always the case, facts trump ideas. If one could make a comparison to Cromwell from the past 20th Century two names come to mind swiftly - Albert Speer and Lavrentiy Beria.
Cromwell is the same - he uses people in support of the king. He never for a moment ever considers what he is doing is wrong and sinful. He plays Protestant adherents off against Catholics and resorts to torture and threat of such to coerce the testimony his king and he wants. He hesitates to close the deal on a woman he's drawn to and too late sees her taken by another (the King). His obsession to have admittedly arrogant young nobles held and tried for treason and adultery and executed for their portrayal of a comical presentation of Cardinal Wolsey going into hell My biggest regret is we didn't see what happened historically to Cromwell. He was beheaded in 1540 - he 'd made far too many enemies and burned far too many bridges.