The Tudors - Season 1

Amusing, but not history

People need to realize that TV is entertainment. It is not meant to be historically accurate. That is what dry history books are for. I enjoy historical TV shows like this one because it brings history alive. So what if it doesn't follow the way events really happened.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This series is VERY historically inacurate!

As far as the costumes and overall look to it. I've only watched three episodes and was VERY disappointed! First of all, Henry VIII fell into the 'big and tall' category. He also had red hair and beard, which every knows him by. History lovers or not. Jonathan Rhys-Myers, although a very good actor, has not the right physical features to play Henry VIII. The one guy the king executed "Lord Chamberlain, was it????" would have been a much better actor to play the king, because he actually looked like the king. "Big, tall, red hair and beard." Also, the costumes in this series are HIDEOUS!!!! The men's costumes were so-so, but a lot of the female costumes where really bad. Semi accurate for that period, not fully. If you're going to do a period show of any time period, do your homework/research. Which, apparently the costume people for this show did not. There were laws called Sumptuary Laws, that dictated what class was allowed to wear what. And back then class was a HUGE, MAJOR deal. People were executed if they didn't follow those laws. Although, the acting was good. The dates, people, etc. were accurate, but I was very disappointed with the costumes and of the casting director's choice to play Henry. Soooo, yeah. If you want good, historicaly accurate (at least in costumes and over all appearance) Renaissance entertainment. Go to you state's/town's Renaissance Faires/Fests. The people there are sticklers for accuracy and the costumes are AMAZING! And, you get to interact with your favorite people from that time period!

3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

History??? More like fiction

Henry VIII was tall (6'2&quot ) and buff as a young man, and Jonathan Rys-Meyers is definitely not. But I could have gotten past the physical disparity of the actor vs the real man, if the rest of the story line had some relationship to the hisotrical fact. The writers should have read a few history books about the Tudors before they began, so they at least could keep the basic storyline true, even if they embellished. For example, Henry's sister Mary (not Margaret) married Charles Brandon, after she married, and was widowed by, the king of France (not Portugal). Margaret married the king of Scotland. True students of the Tudor age should be appalled by the story being told in the Tudors.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

"Because HBO already came up with Rome"

In the last few years we have been presented with a number of historical dramas on television. Band of Brothers "HBO", Deadwood "HBO", Rome "HBO", John Adams "HBO", and many others "HBO". The past decade has brought us some of the most celebrated series of purely fictional content as well. Oz "HBO", Sex and the City "HBO", Carnival "HBO", The Sopranos "HBO". As wonderful as these offerings are, they've unfortunately inspired many, many hackneyed mock-ups. The race to edgey storylines and topics breeds a great surplus of insubstantial television. The Tudors sits comfortably in that bracket. It would be easy to believe the script and situations were penned by a 13 year old discovering his libido for the first time. It's one thing to be prurient, another thing to be obsessive. The casting is also a mystery. Why they would pick the slender, slithering, shorn little creature that is Jonathan Rhys-Meyers to play Henry VIII, who even in his youth was physically virile and extraordinarily tall, is beyond me when they had Henry Czerny - Norfolk - right there and picture perfect for the role! And while my bias for Thomas More is a want of Paul Scofield - watch A Man for All Seasons - it doesn't forgive the actor or writers for abusing the character and the historical figure as they have. Sam Neill is a fine actor and one of my favorites, but he is not the butcher's son that is Cardinal Wolsey. The rest of the cast does not impress one way or another. The production values aren't especially impressive, either. It feels like writers chose to design a show that Ren Fest followers something to oggle between selling leather mugs. Or maybe offer them employment in acting or set and costume design. Had it been produced by a network or organization with more discretion and possessing a greater sense of proportion, this could have been a magnificent show. As it is, it's a lamentable laugh, stricken with exploitational inaccuracies.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

ENGLISH MONARCHS

Henry VIII is the famous of all the Tudors. He had six wives in the hope that he will produce a male heir to the english throne. Unluckily, he had only two daughters who made it to the english throne, as Edward, his son became a king when he was only a boy and died before he could be eighteen. This is a compeling TV series that tells that s tory of the famous Tudors of England, whose origin was welsh. Every episode explodes in this series. The story is beautifully written and the characters acted out excellntly. The script is woven into the entire story and makes the Tudors alive. The production design and costume is superb. I am recommending this series for Tudor fans and the general viewers alike. You would want to see more after its done!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The wives of Henry III

The video has some validity in historical fact, but seems to take many side trips into fiction. I do not reccomend watching this with young children due to the sex scenes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fabulous

I am a History major, and I have also studied the Tudors from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I and the people surrounding them for years. Yes, the show is historically inaccurate, but that's what it is: a show. I love it. Of course there are parts that make me cringe, such as the Margaret married to Portugal King bit, but I overlook it in order to grasp the entertainment value. I love Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, almost as much as I love Helena Bonham Carter in the role. She's brilliant. Yes, Henry VIII was not dark haired, but his personality is right, as well as his build for his younger years. It's perfect. The costumes were GORGEOUS! They were right on target and absolutely beautiful. I love the show and I can't wait to get the second season in the mail.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of The Tudors. What amazed me is how much I enjoyed watching the actress who played Anne Bolyen. I usually sympathize with Katherine and I still do, but boy, was Anne a very interesting character. While some writers have a problem with the size &amp shape of Henry, I feel he conveys the personality of Henry perfectly. It's Henry that counts no matter who has to die and he is able to justify his cruelty royally. I an waiting impatiently for the next season and I hope this continues through the Elizabethan era.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Show

I am a history major and the Tudor period is one of my favorites. When I first saw that this show was coming out I was a little skeptical, but after watching I absolutely LOVED it. They did a great job capturing the feelings of all the characters, the mood of the times, and even the correct costumes. As an added bonus, it shows Henry when he was younger, instead of the burly red head that he is most well know as. I would recommend this to anyone. Not only is a great drama, but it actually happened

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Correction to the review of JB, above

JB says, and I quote: " First of all, Henry VIII fell into the 'big and tall' category. He also had red hair and beard, which every knows him by. History lovers or not. Jonathan Rhys-Myers, although a very good actor, has not the right physical features to play Henry VIII." That is true of the older Henry, but that's not what this series is about, is it. Judging by the spelling and grammar, I think it's JB that needs some education. By his logic, Elvis should always be played by a middle aged fat guy in a white, satin suit, even in his pre-drug abuse days. The young Henry was handsome, virile, and quite athletic in the time period the Showtime series covers. As for the accuracy of the costumes, check out the "extras" of the box set to see the painstaking efforts of the designers to get it right!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Historically Addictive

The Tudor family of England is still one of the most talked about reigns in all of English history. This show gets it right. The behavior of Henry Tudor, his escapades, his fits, and his flight of fancy is completely on display in this fictional depiction of life in 16th Century England. What I loved the most was not only did they get down all the bad parts about Henry's demeanor, but the show also highlights that the man was an amazing King who did a great deal to empower his country. This show is a must see for any history lover.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Henry was not "big" when young

JB wrote that Henry fell into the "big and tall" catagory.....actually, when he was a young man (as depicted here) he was slim and strong and considered handsome. Also, in those days, no one was very tall! Just take a look at some of our buildings from that time (ordinary homes, not castles or the like) and you will see the doors are tiny!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the Best Shows I have ever seen!

Everything about The Tudors is absolutly amazing. It keeps you wanting more, after each episode I couldn't wait to watch the next one. If you want a show that is truly addicting and worth every second, then this is it!

The Tudors

If you have ever pondered the life and times of King Henry VIII, then this is the DVD for you. Jonathan Rhys Meyers does a superb job of interpreting the "young" King Henry as a dashing-athletic rogue. This first DVD set also delves into King Henry's internal struggles and the pain of his syphillus. Watching the king go through wives like "Grant went through Richmond" was astounding, but, connects in a real way to King Henry's internal struggles. The king truly wanted a soul mate and partner, and his one queen who fit the bill, died in child birth. The casting director did a great job and I approve of the supporting actors. As I am not an expert on England's monarchy, this DVD has piqued my interest and I intend purchase the entire set in an effort to learn more. This version of King Henry VIII is definitely worth the investment.

Wonderful series

Well, have gotten through all of season one and onto season two. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying being at "court" and all it's intrigues. The series had been recommended to me by a friend and I am so glad she did. I love to read historical fiction but this is even better.

The actors are perfect for the characters they portray and are very believable.The set and costume designs are beautiful and you can see no expense was spared here.

I have already ordered season III and might have to subscribe to Showtime to watch season IV unfold.

The Tudors Season 1

This is the most intriging series ever. Jonathin Rhys-Meyers is King Henry the VIII and does a fantastic job portraying him. The facts remain close to historical fact. This is one of my favorite TV show series of all time.

Pulls you in

This season was amazing and really pulled you into the drama of the Tudor court. I watched the entire season in two weeks it was so good!

Henry the VIII for the 21st century

Although it is not historically accurate I found this drama entertaining and fun to watch. The actors and costumes are great!!

Love the Tudors !!

Great to be able to watch the whole season at once. Don't think and i could stand the anticipation of waiting for each episode to come on TV.<BR/>Loved it. Hope they continue with many more seasons. I have season 1 and 2 and would recommend both !!

Not completely accurate, but stylish and sexy enough to not matter!

This is an excellent TV show for an historical fiction fans! While it does tend to stray from historical fact, it is so superbly crafted and stylish that it really doesn't matter. It is extremely entertaining and, if you are a fan of the Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, this TV show is far more satisfying than the rather lackluster major motion picture movie!! Natalie Dormer is perfectly cast and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as well. This TV show is my guilty pleasure and I highly recommend it!