Best Portrayal of Henry VIII?

benzev · Feb 8, 2015

Henry VIII has been portrayed many times on film and TV. Currently of course, Damian Lewis is reprising the role of the King in Wolf Hall.

But who do you feel gave the most believable, convincing performance? In what performance might Henry have recognised himself, so to speak?

I attach a poll of a few that spring to mind, though if you wish to suggest others, please write and put forward your choice!

You might want to suggest a film, or other character that you find extremely well played- for instance, I very much enjoyed Leo McKern's Cromwell in 'A Man for all Seasons'. Personally, I liked Robert Shaw's Henry in that film best also- the combination of forrceful personality, authority and affability able to transform, as at the flick of a switch, to deadly menace if crossed!

Ancientgeezer · Feb 8, 2015

It's pretty hard for any actor to portray Henry over his lifetime. He was a handsome, dashing and energetic young man and a highly intelligent renaissance polymath. he ended as a bloated, pox-ridden, foul psychopath---or so we are led to believe.
I would propose two of the WORST portrayals though--Sid James and Ray Winstone ( Aa'm the F**kin' King, you slag-- or 'enery from Essex).

For sheer acting power---Burton.
For metamorphosis and staying power--Michell.
For a good laugh--Laughton.

benzev · Feb 8, 2015

Ancientgeezer said:
It's pretty hard for any actor to portray Henry over his lifetime. He was a handsome, dashing and energetic young man and a highly intelligent renaissance polymath. he ended as a bloated, pox-ridden, foul psychopath---or so we are led to believe.
I would propose two of the WORST portrayals though--Sid James and Ray Winstone ( Aa'm the F**kin' King, you slag-- or 'enery from Essex).

For sheer acting power---Burton.
For metamorphosis and staying power--Michell.
For a good laugh--Laughton.

Some very good points! Keith Michell portrayed henry pretty well over his adult life. Many of the others were for quite finite periods on the whole.

I enjoyed Sid James!

(Yuk, Yuk!) At least he was supposed to be comedy, likewise Homer Simpson! Agree that Ray Winstone was pretty unrealistic!

Flying Scot · Mar 4, 2015

Shaw brought menace, but I think Laughton was aso scary, on the borderline pycho side.

COme to think of it, there have been a lot better performances of ELizabeth: La Davis, Glenda Jackson, Flora Robeson.

Sindane · Mar 4, 2015

Damian Lewis in Wolf Hall
Scenes like
“Do you want the king to huddle indoors like a sick ....? .." and the other scene later when he again loses his temper with Cromwell

Flying Scot · Mar 4, 2015

Yes, SIndane. The mask dropped and you could see the Mr Nasty who will come out to play more often in later life. Good Point! I really like Daien Lewis and I wish him well in this role.

Brisieis · Mar 6, 2015

Ancientgeezer said:
It's pretty hard for any actor to portray Henry over his lifetime. He was a handsome, dashing and energetic young man and a highly intelligent renaissance polymath. he ended as a bloated, pox-ridden, foul psychopath---or so we are led to believe.
I would propose two of the WORST portrayals though--Sid James and Ray Winstone ( Aa'm the F**kin' King, you slag-- or 'enery from Essex).

For sheer acting power---Burton.
For metamorphosis and staying power--Michell.
For a good laugh--Laughton.

Ray Winston played Henry VIII?

Flying Scot · Mar 6, 2015

I was never too keen on Michell.
Burton, yes, Shaw, yes, Laughton, of course. Michelle, not so sure.
Now, Russell Crowe might make a good Henry.

OccamsRazor · Mar 6, 2015

Brisieis said:
Ray Winston played Henry VIII?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_(TV_serial)

'Fraid so me ol' darlin'.... I am the king an' I must 'ave a son!

Tercios Espanoles · Mar 6, 2015

OccamsRazor said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_(TV_serial)

'Fraid so me ol' darlin'.... I am the king an' I must 'ave a son!

Why have I never heard of this two-parter? Helena Bonham-Carter as Anne Boleyn? Sean Bean as Robert Aske? Emily Blunt as Catherine Howard?

This must be either awesome or an eye-gouging pain fest! I must find this!

OccamsRazor · Mar 7, 2015

Tercios Espanoles said:
Why have I never heard of this two-parter? Helena Bonham-Carter as Anne Boleyn? Sean Bean as Robert Aske? Emily Blunt as Catherine Howard?

This must be either awesome or an eye-gouging pain fest! I must find this!

I never saw it myself, but in some quarters it's reached mythical proportion

Ancientgeezer · Mar 7, 2015

Brisieis said:
Ray Winston played Henry VIII?

As bad as it gets.

Ancientgeezer · Mar 7, 2015

Tercios Espanoles said:
Why have I never heard of this two-parter? Helena Bonham-Carter as Anne Boleyn? Sean Bean as Robert Aske? Emily Blunt as Catherine Howard?

This must be either awesome or an eye-gouging pain fest! I must find this!

BAD!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMsBhfW0BAM[/ame]

Ancientgeezer · Mar 7, 2015

Even this was more credible.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onap0Wou5Lg[/ame]

OccamsRazor · Mar 7, 2015

Ancientgeezer said:
BAD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMsBhfW0BAM

That looks like a typical northern Earl against the Crown parley.
Or...
A proper norf sarf sit-dahhn.

OccamsRazor · Mar 7, 2015

Ancientgeezer said:
As bad as it gets.

Its the Christmas fancy-dress contest on the Wing. Carlin wins again.

Tercios Espanoles · Mar 7, 2015

I watched about a quarter of the first episode on Youtube - not far enough in to make a judgment. It could still go either way (though I can see where everyone else's opinion lies). At least he looks like a convincing Henry.

MadKing · Mar 10, 2015

Wait....why is the Horrible Histories Henry VIII completely ignored on this thread?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9NRUWUPvSyA

I think he's the best

Sian Griffith · Nov 17, 2015

Wolf Hall

Exactly as I imagined him from all my readings before he started to loose his mind.

royal infanta · Nov 17, 2015

No one can compare to Keith Michell. He was Henry VIII, both physically and mentally.

Damian Lewis would come in second.

As for Jonathan Rhys Meyers, no, and no, and no! His acting is certainly good, but Henry VIII he most certainly is not.

Richard Burton was okay, I haven't seen Robert Shaw, and Charles Laughton was a parody so he wouldn't be the best portrayal.

And Ray Winston and Eric Bana didn't portray good Henry's, though they did portray rapist brutes.

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Best Portrayal of Henry VIII?

Who gave the most believeable performance as Henry VIII

Charles Laughton (The Private Life of Henry VIII)

Keith Michell (The Six Wives of Henry VIII)

Robert Shaw (A Man for all Seasons)

Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall)

Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors)

Richard Burton (Anne of the Thousand Days)

Other (Please clarify)

benzev

Ancientgeezer

benzev

Flying Scot

Sindane

Flying Scot

Brisieis

Flying Scot

OccamsRazor

Tercios Espanoles

OccamsRazor

Ancientgeezer

Ancientgeezer

Ancientgeezer

OccamsRazor

OccamsRazor

Tercios Espanoles

MadKing

Sian Griffith

royal infanta

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