We are treated here to a firestorm that involves Henry VIII's efforts to get his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled. He, of course, claimed that the marriage was never consummated. There is the crude joke about his coming out of his bedroom saying that he was in Spain last night. Cardinal Wolsey, who has a moral compass, with his dear confidante, Thomas Cromwell, try to stay afloat, despite the vengeful oversight of the monarch. Catherine is out, of course, and enter Anne Boleyn to try to produce an heir for Henry. Cromwell, who must navigate alone because his mentor is so ill, tries to "keep the faith." Cromwell came from common stock, growing up as a blacksmith, abused both verbally and physically by his father, a true beast. There is an interesting scene as Thomas goes along with his wife's wishes and visits the awful man (with a devastating flashback presented for us). All the subtext is in place and we are ready for the ride, going into the second episode.
4 Reviews
Thomas Cromwell is the focus of this 6 part series...
rusoviet31 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
....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.
House of Cards with stilettos
eyez0022 January 2015
This is high powered political drama where the stakes aren't electoral oblivion but your neck and the necks of your friends and family.
There's a Greasy Pole. Very powerful and ruthless men are fighting to climb it and at the top sits the most ruthless and the most powerful. Damien Lewis just gives us a hint of the brooding megalomania and sadism lurking underneath the King's regal vernier in this first episode.
Now throw the Boleyn sisters into the mix. Sexy. Deadly. Able to outmanoeuvre Cardinal Wolsey, the man who had clawed his way to the top of the pole to be Henry's principle GoTo Fixer. Ann manipulating the king by NOT sleeping with him.
Mark Rylance is good. Jonathan Pyrce is very good. Thinking Claire Foy is gonna steal a lot more scenes and anticipating the chemistry between her and Lewis.
Can't wait for episode 2.
There's a Greasy Pole. Very powerful and ruthless men are fighting to climb it and at the top sits the most ruthless and the most powerful. Damien Lewis just gives us a hint of the brooding megalomania and sadism lurking underneath the King's regal vernier in this first episode.
Now throw the Boleyn sisters into the mix. Sexy. Deadly. Able to outmanoeuvre Cardinal Wolsey, the man who had clawed his way to the top of the pole to be Henry's principle GoTo Fixer. Ann manipulating the king by NOT sleeping with him.
Mark Rylance is good. Jonathan Pyrce is very good. Thinking Claire Foy is gonna steal a lot more scenes and anticipating the chemistry between her and Lewis.
Can't wait for episode 2.
the steps
Kirpianuscus27 July 2021
Impeccable construction, great cast , fine drive of tension. The events are known but, in this case, the ball of nuances of revenge, desire, rivalries and expectations is sustained by wise reflection of their nuances. The premises are done. And the way to power becomes in precise manner.
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