While there were some good performances from Mark Rylance as Cromwell and Claire Foy as Ann Boleyn, the overwhelming impression from this mini-series was of a rather rambling and uncoordinated story. Words that spring to mind are over-dramatized, disjointed and episodic. Many of the characters were poorly drawn and flitted in and out without ever being properly identified, indeed, most of them seemed indistinguishable from one another.
Damian Lewis, as King Henry, was rather stiff and Jessica Raine as one of Ann's attendants was simply far too arrogant and 'sniffy'. Bernard Hill seemed horribly miscast as the Duke of Norfolk, playing the part as something of a northern trade union leader. Some of the language was far too modern and I was left wondering how much of this was history and how much pure fantasy.
Having said all of this, I have to admit that the series had its moments and some parts were very well played and very powerful. All-in-all, a bit of a 'curate's egg', but one that I'm unlikely to remember for long or want to watch again anytime soon.
Damian Lewis, as King Henry, was rather stiff and Jessica Raine as one of Ann's attendants was simply far too arrogant and 'sniffy'. Bernard Hill seemed horribly miscast as the Duke of Norfolk, playing the part as something of a northern trade union leader. Some of the language was far too modern and I was left wondering how much of this was history and how much pure fantasy.
Having said all of this, I have to admit that the series had its moments and some parts were very well played and very powerful. All-in-all, a bit of a 'curate's egg', but one that I'm unlikely to remember for long or want to watch again anytime soon.