The Tudors (2007–2010)
9/10
TV show not a documentary
15 January 2015
I've seen a lot of reviews complaining about the show not being historically accurate. But this is not a historical documentary. It's a TV show based loosely on fact. And it's executed very well. The basic facts of the reign of Henry VIII are kept in this show and some more in detail facts are in here too, and some are slightly different than what the truths are.

What this show did for me was to educate me further in my knowledge of the reign of Henry VIII. I did not get the education from the show but that the show encouraged me seek out facts behind the show - such as the execution of Anne Boleyn, in fact her execution speech is near a mirror to the one the real Anne Boleyn spoke at her execution. So this show does educate people. It encourages them to seek out the real facts.

Another positive about the show was that it showed a human side to these historic people. Jonathan R. Meyers plays an absolutely fantastic Henry. Truly commendable. He does bring a human side to Henry, the side that isn't perhaps shown - the fact that he was a father and albeit not always a good one but nevertheless he seemed to have been good at times. Moreover I liked that the show sympathised with Anne Boleyn. I personally don't feel she was as much of a "bitch" as historians make her out to be. She was not fully to blame for the destruction of Henry's first marriage. I actually sympathised greatly with Anne. I felt she was a pawn in many peoples games. And I want to commend Natalie Dormer for a truly incredible performance as Anne. In the episode of Anne's death I was sobbing throughout.

There were many great actors in this show. I was highly impressed. From Jonathan - who pulled off the life of Henry as king in a truly kingly manor! - to smaller parts like Lady Rochford and Anne of Cleves. I think all actors got their character just right.

In the case of writing and directing - superb! The script was fantastic (bar someone exclaiming "oh my god", I think it was Catherine Howard, which is obviously blasphemy and I don't think Henry would have approved.

Anyone, who won't be too annoyed by small factual errors should watch this. A true success and no doubt I'll be re-watching it.
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