

The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)
3/27/2022 | 1h 33m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
King (Charles Laughton) marries six times without producing the male heir he desired most.
Acclaimed actor Charles Laughton won his only Best Acting Oscar for his performance as the English king who was married six times without producing the male heir he desired most.
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The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)
3/27/2022 | 1h 33m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
Acclaimed actor Charles Laughton won his only Best Acting Oscar for his performance as the English king who was married six times without producing the male heir he desired most.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(shimmering music) (film reel clicks) (bell tolls) (dramatic, magisterial music) (sedate, playful music) >> So that's the king's bed.
>> Yes!
And he's not long left it.
Feel!
(women giggle) >> I wonder what he looks like in bed.
>> You'll never know.
>> Well, you needn't be spiteful about it.
Need she, Mistress Nurse?
>> No, my dear, and you've as good a chance as anyone else, if the king's in one of his merry moods.
>> Why, I never meant, I never thought- >> Didn't you, darling?
(women laugh) >> Now, ladies, you're not here to quarrel.
Get busy with your needles.
Now, all these A's have got to come out, and J's go in.
That's it.
There you are.
Hurry, hurry, mind.
>> Anne Boleyn dies this morning.
Jane Seymour takes her place tonight.
What luck.
>> For which of them, I wonder.
(people chattering) >> Here I am, darling!
(people chattering) Oh, poor Anne Boleyn.
I do feel so sorry for her.
Excuse me, madam.
Do you mind taking off your hat?
We can't see the block.
Thank you so much.
(hammer bangs) (people chatter) (people chattering) (sword grinds) (man whistles) (man whistles) (sword grinds) (man whistles) >> Ah!
(people chatter) >> Anne Boleyn, was she guilty do you think?
>> All her lovers confessed.
>> Under torture.
>> She was as innocent as you or I.
>> Thanks for the compliment.
(women laugh) >> She died so that the king may be free to marry Jane Seymour.
>> Yes, that's what they mean when they say, "Chop and change."
(women laugh) >> Oh, don't, girls, it's no jesting matter.
>> The other mirror, please, Lady Marbury.
(outside crowd chatters) Will the net hold my hair together when my head falls?
>> Lady Marbury: Yes.
>> Isn't it a pity to lose a head like this?
Still, they will easily find a nickname for me.
Among the queens of England, I shall be "Anne sans tete."
That means, "Anne who lost her head."
(executioner sighs) >> There is a blade for you fit for a king!
Or, in this case, a queen (speaks French).
>> Not fit for our queen.
>> No, why not?
>> She's an English queen, ain't she?
Well, what's wrong with English steel?
And come to that, what's wrong with an English headsman?
>> Ah, meaning yourself.
>> Why not?
I was good enough to knock off the queen's five lovers, wasn't I?
Why'd they want you, a Frenchman from Calais?
(spits) >> I will tell you- >> No!
I'm telling you.
It's a crying shame, with half the English executioners out of work as it is.
>> And why are they out of work?
Because they are only fit to sever the bull necks of their countrymen with a butcher's cleaver.
But a woman's neck, a queen's neck, that calls for finesse, for delicacy, for chivalry.
In one word, a Frenchman.
>> I could think of another word.
>> Jane Seymour, of all people.
Whatever could the king see in her?
>> Oh, she's very sweet.
>> Yes, but does the king like honey with his milk and water?
(women chuckle) >> Listen.
Wasn't that the gun?
>> Lady: What gun?
Will there be a gun fired?
>> When Anne Boleyn's head falls, a gun is to be fired from the Tower, another from Westminster, and a third from Richmond, so the king may know the moment he's free to marry Jane.
>> What a pretty arrangement.
The joint goes out and, bang, the sweets come in.
>> Oh, Katherine!
>> Oh, well, if the king were not a king, what would you call him?
>> What would you call him?
>> I'll tell you.
>> No, tell me.
If I were not a king, what then?
All right, ladies.
Come here!
Look at me.
What would you call me?
>> I should call you, Your Majesty, a man.
>> (laughs) So I am, and glad of it!
(laughs) And you may be glad of it, too, one day.
Blushing?
She must be new to the court.
What's your name, wench?
>> Katherine: Katherine Howard, if it please Your Majesty.
>> It does, Katherine, it does!
(outside crowd chatters) >> What's that noise?
>> The crowd, madam.
(outside crowd chatters) >> Just like my wedding day.
(crowd chatters) (crowd chatters) (hammer bangs) (fingers drum) >> Cromwell, if England were as rich as Portugal or as big as Spain, you might be right, but this little island of three million souls is no match for all Europe!
>> Cromwell: All Europe?
>> Yes, if those French and Germans stop cutting each other's throats, what's to stop them cutting ours?
>> A wise diplomacy, sire.
>> Diplomacy, diplomacy, my foot!
I'm an Englishman.
I can't say one thing and mean another.
What I can do is build ships, ships, and then more ships.
>> Cromwell: You mean double the fleet?
>> Triple it!
Fortify Dover, rule the sea.
>> To do this will cost us money, sire.
>> To leave it undone will cost us England.
(bell tolls) Thomas Culpeper!
Will you see what's become of the queen?
>> A gun will be fired from the Tower, Your Majesty.
>> Yes!
I did not mean... Will you see if the Lady Jane is ready?
>> And now the headdress, madam.
>> Oh, yes.
Now, which one shall I wear?
The velvet coif or the pearl chaplet?
(women chatter) >> The coif.
>> The chaplet.
>> The king wishes to know if you're ready, madam.
>> Oh, but I don't know whether to wear the pearls or, oh, of course, I'll ask the king!
>> Henry: With a strong port in Dover and a strong fleet in the Channel, we can laugh in their faces, but it's the money, the money!
We must have the- >> Henry!
(foot bangs) >> Softly, sweetheart, we have a affairs of state here.
>> Oh, but, darling, this is really important.
Henry, Henry, which one shall I wear?
>> My Lord Archbishop, will you await us in the chapel?
>> Henry, you haven't said a word about my wedding dress.
Don't you love it?
21 little buttons, one for every year of my life.
(Henry laughs) (Jane laughs) (Henry laughs) Don't you love the back?
>> The back, marvelous.
(Jane laughs) >> Do be serious.
Which of these?
>> Pearls for a pearl.
Now, run along, my sweet, and put them on.
The bishop waits.
Thomas, me hat!
(crowd chatters) (hammer bangs) >> Official: (indistinct) over there.
(crowd chatters) >> Is it time?
(outside crowd chatters) I was told that the executioner was very good.
>> Lord: He is very good.
It does not hurt, madam.
It's all over in a second.
>> And I have such a little neck, haven't I?
(crowd chatters) >> Well, Thomas, what do you think of the new queen?
>> Wonderful, Your Majesty.
>> Beautiful?
>> Lovely.
>> Clever, too?
>> A miracle of good sense, Your Majesty.
(hand smacks) >> Liar.
(laughs) No, Thomas, not clever, thanks be to heaven.
My first wife was clever.
My second was ambitious.
My third.
Thomas, if you want to be happy, marry a girl like my sweet, little Jane.
Marry a stupid woman.
(laughs) (ladies weep) (drums thunder) >> What a lovely day.
>> What a lovely day.
(drum beats) (crowd chatters) >> Well, one must admit, she died like a queen.
>> Yes, and that frock, wasn't it too divine?
>> Was it?
I didn't notice.
>> No, you wouldn't.
You wouldn't notice that I haven't had a new gown for a year.
>> All right, all right, you shall have one, for your execution.
(hand smacks) (people chatter) >> Knights, ladies, gentlemen and gentlewomen, attend the king, His Royal Highness by the grace of God, Henry VIII, King of England and France, Lord of Ireland.
>> Jane.
(somber, prayerful chanting) >> Warming pans.
>> Warming pans.
>> Warming pans.
Rosewater.
>> Mistress Nurse: Rosewater.
>> Woman: Rosewater.
>> Butler: Officer.
Here, what's this?
No one is allowed near the king's marriage bed once it's been made ready.
>> But the marriage bed isn't made ready.
>> What do you suppose I've been doing for the past hour?
>> Swallowing the poker, by the look of you.
>> Hold your tongue!
And get out of here, my good woman.
>> Who are you calling a good woman?
Nice name to give one who's been 40 years with the king.
>> Nice or not, you can't stay here.
What is it you want?
>> Haven't you heard of my charms?
>> Your charms?
>> Oh, I don't mean charms of face and figure.
I mean charm of magic.
>> Oh, magic!
>> Yes, the magic I put under the king's pillow to make certain he'll get a son.
>> Oh, those things can only come about by chance.
>> Prince of Wales can't be left to chance.
>> How do I know that you're not up to some mischief?
>> Fool!
I harm the king, who nursed him from his birth?
Now, you'll see, it'll be a boy.
(baby cries) (nurse coos) (baby cries) My own little one.
Sweet little one.
>> Man: Send a fast horseman for the king, and riders everywhere with the news.
(baby cries) (horse hooves clomp) (horns blare) (hooves clomp) (hunters shout) >> Good bird!
(hunters shout) She's got him!
(hunters shout) She's got him for a ducet!
(hunters shout) >> Rider: Hello!
>> What do you want?
>> Your Majesty, it's a boy!
>> What?
It's a boy!
Men, it's a boy!
(men cheer) (horns blare) (horse hooves clomp) Where's the boy?
Is he dead?
>> Cromwell: The prince is alive, Your Majesty, but the queen is dead.
(Henry pants) >> Poor, pretty little Jane.
(Henry pants) God rest her sweet soul.
(Henry pants) Where's the prince?
(nurse hums) >> Mistress Nurse: Shh!
>> My son.
One day, you'll rule England, a greater England than mine.
That is, if you're strong enough to hold the scepter firmly.
See, here it is.
(laughs) Bravely done, my little prince.
That's the way of it.
(laughs) Now, through tears and cruelty and pain you came into the world, and by the same road, you'll reach the throne, and, by the same road, hold it.
(chuckles) You smile, do you?
(chuckles) Well, smile while you may.
You'll find the throne of England no smiling matter.
(Henry chuckles) >> Look at him, the little love, taking it all in as if he were a full-grown Christian.
He's the image of you when you were a baby.
>> Is he?
>> Yes, poor, little lad.
Oh, no, no, no, no, get off, get off with you and your nonsense and your great big beard in the poor child's face.
Enough to frighten him out of his wits.
(Henry laughs) (nurse hums) (women chatter) >> Lady: Look at the baby.
>> Lady: Isn't he a love?
>> His father's image.
>> His eyes, too.
>> And his hands.
>> And his deep chest, too.
>> The same legs.
>> And the same- >> Fair madam, not before the child.
(women laugh) (Henry laughs) >> You think he will marry again?
>> Who?
>> The king.
>> Let's hope not.
Three failures should convince him he has no gift for the business.
>> No, it was the wives' fault.
The right woman could still make him happy.
>> Every woman thinks herself the right wife for every other woman's husband.
>> And he might choose a lady of the court.
>> He has chosen many for a day or, at most, a week.
Lady Bassett's the miracle.
She's lasted 10 whole days.
He's still not weary.
>> Then he might marry her then.
>> What, Lady Bassett?
>> Yes.
>> (laughs) Oh, my good Kate!
(laughs) (women chatter) (Henry laughs) >> A pretty thing to bring the child out hatless in the sun.
Come to me, my love, love you.
Have you lost your wits to treat him so?
>> I never thought, I- >> You never thought?
What are brains for except to think?
No, no, no, you must strut about among your lights of love.
My poor baby, roasting in your arms.
>> Your poor babe, my son!
>> Your son?
Hmm, my charm.
Oh, baby.
(women chattering softly) >> Well, ah, shall we?
>> Do you know how beautiful you are?
>> Keep your flatteries for the ladies of the court.
>> Is there one lady of the court with eyes like wet violets, with so sweet a shape, with a mouth to drive a man mad?
>> Tom, I think you are mad!
>> Well, some day, you'll love me a little who love you so much.
>> Some day.
Who knows what life may bring?
The crown, perhaps.
>> Do you mean that?
>> Stranger things have happened.
>> In dreams.
>> In dreams that sometimes come true.
>> And if you got your crown, what would it be worth without love?
>> (chuckles) Love is not all the world, Tom.
>> It is.
All else is nothing.
(Henry coughs) >> One moment, Your Grace.
You're keeping your hair very well, Your Grace.
(Henry coughs) >> I just met His Highness, the Prince of Wales, out with his nurse this morning.
He's going to have a nice head of hair one day, if he lives to enjoy it.
>> Why shouldn't he?
>> Oh, no reason at all, there's no reason at all.
Let's hope he may, being as he's the only one, at least for the present.
(razor clicks) >> What do you mean "for the present"?
>> Well, as I was saying only yesterday at a meeting of the Barbers' Guild, having a family is like having a shave.
Once you start, there's no leaving off in the middle.
>> Are you presuming to suggest I should marry again?
>> That's what we think, Your Grace.
>> Well, get out!
(Henry harrumphs) Marry again.
>> Woman: Can't you find it?
(people chattering) Come on.
>> Cook: That's a fine condiment.
(people chattering) >> Servant: I know, my dear.
How about this one?
(people chattering) >> Get, get, get, get, get.
(people chattering) Ah, dear.
>> The dinner best be good tonight or some of you will suffer.
>> God save us all.
Is the king in one of his black moods again?
>> Black as ink.
They've been at him to marry again.
>> Ah, poor soul.
>> Aye, marriage is like pastry.
One must be born to it.
>> More like one of those French stews.
You never know what you're getting til it's too late.
>> Still, a man should try for another son or two if he's a king, eh, wife?
>> Yes, my man, and even if he's not a king.
(people laugh) >> Aye.
(knife thunks) (people chatter) (plates clatter) (Henry belches) (fist thuds) (plates clatter) >> Shh!
>> You call this a capon?
Look at that.
(plates clatter) All sauce and no substance, like one of Cromwell's speeches.
(Henry gags) And just as difficult to swallow.
(bone thuds) Too many cooks, that's the trouble.
Above stairs as well as below!
Marry again?
Breed more sons?
Coarse brutes.
There's no delicacy nowadays and no consideration for others.
Refinement's a thing of the past.
(plates clatter) (bone cracks) Manners are dead!
(bones thud) (Henry belches) (plates clatter) And you, Master Cromwell, you may tell my loyal Guild of Barbers top mind their own business and leave me to mine.
Am I the king or a breeding bull?
(belches) (plates clatter) Are you all dumb?
I've known brighter funerals.
Have we no singers in the court?
>> If it please Your Grace, I will sing for you.
>> What will you sing?
Whatever pleases Your Grace, if I know the song.
>> Do you know "What Shall I Do for Love"?
>> Katherine: Yes, indeed.
>> Good music, do you think?
>> Yes, and lovely words.
>> Hmm.
Did you know that I wrote them both?
>> Katherine: How should I not?
It is my favorite song.
>> Hmm.
Let's hear it, child.
(soft, gentle music) ♪ Alas, what shall I do ♪ ♪ For love ♪ ♪ For love, alas, for love ♪ ♪ What shall I do ♪ ♪ Since none so kind ♪ ♪ I do you find ♪ ♪ To keep you near me unto ♪ (soft, gentle music) ♪ Alas ♪ Very good, my child.
(people chatter) Thomas, who's the girl?
>> Katherine Howard, Your Grace.
>> Oh, I remember.
(people chatter) (Henry sighs) (Henry belches) So, Master Cromwell, you'll have me make a fourth marriage?
>> If Your Majesty would but consider it.
>> Consider it?
I would consider it the victory of optimism over experience.
(Henry laughs) (people laugh) (Henry laughs) (people laugh) (Henry chuckles) But we need more heirs.
>> I've given you three.
Two daughters and a son.
I grant you, the daughters show little promise.
Mary may grow to wisdom, but Elizabeth will never learn to rule so much as a kitchen.
But the boy's my second self.
>> True, sire, but a third self or even a fourth would make all safe.
>> What's your project, then?
>> The Duchess of Cleves.
>> Got a portrait of her?
>> No.
>> Send Holbein over to paint her and Peynell to watch Holbein.
>> (chuckles) Your Grace has no faith in German painters?
>> Yes, but I have no faith in German beauty.
(laughs) Peynell!
>> Your Majesty?
(people chatter) >> I want you to go over to Cleves.
I might marry the duchess.
(people chatter) >> I will not marry your king.
I will not, I will not, I will not.
>> But there's not a princess in Europe who'd not be eager for such a match.
>> What, that bluebeard?
>> Oh, princess.
>> Well, what else is he?
His first wife divorced, his second chopped, his third dead.
A pretty prospect for the fourth, but she will not be Anne of Cleves, and that you may tell him.
>> As you will, princess.
>> Why "princess?"
Last night you called me Anne.
>> Last night, I forgot everything.
Today- >> Today, forget everything but last night.
>> How can I paint Her Highness if she will not sit.
When the light is good, she's always in the garden with Master Peynell.
(man in hat laughs) (man in hat speaking foreign language) >> He talks with the tongue, but also with the eyes, that young man.
Until he came, she would not hear of this marriage, but now all goes well.
I think so, isn't it?
>> For the marriage, maybe.
But what about the portrait, Your Grace?
>> Be patient, I will make it that she came already.
(servant coughs) >> Servant: May it please Your Grace, the duke wishes you to come at once.
>> Here she is.
Now (speaking foreign language).
(Anne speaking foreign language) >> (chuckles) Oh, Your Highness, forgive me, but if the king were to see you with that face, it wouldn't help on the marriage.
>> You think she is ugly, my face?
>> Only if Your Highness makes it so.
(people chatter softly) >> Viewer: Holbein's masterpiece.
>> The original is still in Calais.
>> Afraid of the storm in the Channel.
>> Huh.
Hmm.
Hmm.
What do you think of her?
>> Oh, charming, Your Grace.
(people chatter) >> Official: I was just saying, sire, what a face.
>> Yes.
Huh, hmm.
Well, then, glad you all like her.
Little Katherine.
Well, what do you think of the new queen?
>> We're very sorry, sire, but the Lady Anne cannot cross the Channel.
>> Yes, I'm sorry, too.
I'm a lonely man.
When are you going to sing for me again?
>> Any time Your Majesty orders me.
>> Tonight, in my rooms.
>> Hardly the right place for singing, Your Majesty.
>> Your rooms, then, 11 o'clock.
Not a soul will see me.
(Henry's feet stomp) >> Katherine, what was he saying to you?
>> Who?
>> The king.
>> Nothing.
>> Nothing, but I was watching.
>> Oh, spying?
>> No, but when I see you making yourself cheap- >> When you do, come and tell me.
Until then, keep your nose out of my affairs.
>> Katherine!
>> Please, this velvet crushes so.
(bell tolls) >> Soldier: The king's guard!
>> Soldiers: The king's guard!
(soldier snoring) >> Soldier: The king's guard!
>> Soldiers: The king's guard!
The king's guard!
>> The king's (speaker cut off by Henry's hand).
(Henry knocks) >> Who's there?
>> Henry.
>> Katherine: Henry who?
>> The king.
>> Oh, the king, not the man.
>> Henry: Unlock the door.
>> Isn't it rather late for a maid to unlock her door to a man.
>> Oh, come on, unlock the door.
>> Katherine: Is that a command?
>> Yes.
>> For the king, then, not the man.
>> Don't do that.
I'm leaving my crown outside.
>> You've left it outside with my reputation, sire.
>> No one saw me, Katherine, I swear.
Can't you forget the king, forget the crown, forget everything?
You told me once I was a man, huh?
What do you say if I'm not the king?
>> Get out of my room.
>> What?
Why- >> That's what I would say if you were not the king.
Since you are the king, I accept your command.
>> Command?
It's a poor thing to command in love.
>> In love, who is in love?
>> I am, with you.
>> Love eternal, since yesterday afternoon until tomorrow morning.
>> When I say love, I mean love.
Couldn't you love me, little Katherine?
>> I can't love a man with a wife.
>> I haven't got a wife.
>> Lady Anne of Cleves.
>> That woman?
She's a picture, a portrait.
>> Oh, no, Your Grace, she is much more.
>> Where is the king?
Do you know?
>> No, nor care.
>> You're drunk.
The Duchess of Cleves has crossed the Channel, is on her way to Rochester.
Find the king at once!
>> Lord: That will be impossible, my lord.
>> Why?
>> I'll find the king, my lord.
I'll tell him.
>> Still afraid of me, little Kate?
>> Katherine: Of you?
No.
>> What are you afraid of, then?
>> Of myself, perhaps.
(Culpeper knocks) Who's that?
>> Message for the king.
Great news, Your Majesty.
Lady Anne of Cleves has crossed the Channel, is on her way to Rochester.
(Henry groans) >> Marvelous news.
(harrumphs) You were right, little Katherine.
She seems to be much more than a picture.
>> Here is, how do you say?
A pretty kettle of fishes.
To be in love with one man and have to marry another.
>> I know.
>> What will happen if the king finds out?
>> We die.
But I don't mind.
>> Oh, but I do!
What is to be done?
>> What can be done?
Nothing.
>> How like a man, to be dead before he is killed.
There is always a way out.
>> What way?
>> I don't know.
But I will find it.
(horse hooves clomp) >> Good morning, my Lord Bishop.
How's the princess?
>> Bishop: Expecting Your Majesty.
(footsteps click) >> One of you is not the princess, I presume.
(women speak in German) Thank heaven for that.
>> Oh, Heinrich!
>> Welcome to England, my love.
I fear you had a bad crossing.
>> Yes, the wind met the sea, make the trouble, and (hiccoughs) excuse me.
>> Be pleased to accept my most humble apologies.
>> Oh, but it is not your fault the Channel chopping.
>> Nevertheless, I deeply regret any inconvenience you may have been caused.
>> Oh, please!
It was only the waves come so high upstairs.
>> Quite.
Our Channel can be very rough when it isn't smooth!
>> Anne: Oh, it did.
>> Permit me to express the hope that a short rest will restore you to health, madam!
>> Anne: Thank you, I hope soon I shall eat again, yes?
>> By all means!
You have our permission to withdraw.
>> Please.
>> You!
So that's your idea of a pretty!
Why I don't strike you!
She's got a face like a!
Me, that has never looked at a woman.
What am I to do with her?
>> I believed what I was told, sire.
>> Did you?
It's all right for you.
You haven't got to marry her, I have!
>> What does Your Grace wish me to do, then?
>> Pack her off to where she came from.
>> It will mean war, sire, and with all Europe against us.
This marriage must go on.
(Henry pants) >> All right.
Heaven help you, Cromwell.
>> Butler: The marriage bed is made, I tell you.
Out you go.
>> I won't, I won't, I won't!
>> Woman, I stand her for the king.
>> I stand for the Duke of York.
>> The Duke of York?
But we have no Duke of York.
>> No, but you will have when my charm has done its work!
>> (chuckles) Another charm.
>> No, the same charm that gave England our Prince of Wales.
>> That was the king's doing.
>> Was it?
Did the king have a son by his first wife?
No!
Did the king have a son by his second wife?
No!
And why?
'Cause you locked me out!
Bah!
You, to stand in England's way!
(pillow thuds) (Henry snorts) (Henry groans) I don't know how I'm going to go through with this.
You can take a horse to the water, but you can't make it drink.
I don't know, I suppose it's gotta be done.
Give me my nightshirt.
>> Peynell: His Majesty's nightshirt.
>> Yeah, that's right.
>> The royal bedchamber is prepared.
>> Official: The royal bedchamber is prepared.
>> Official: The royal bedchamber is prepared.
>> Official: The royal bedchamber is prepared.
>> The rosewater.
>> The things I've done for England.
(apple crunches) Didn't they give you enough to eat, madam?
>> Don't shout at me just because I'm your wife.
>> My wife.
Not yet.
>> Poor Mother told me, first he says the marriage is no good, and then he cuts off the head with an ax chopper.
>> That is an exaggeration, madam.
>> Then why do you say I am not yet your wife?
>> Well, madam, a marriage ceremony doesn't make us one.
(Anne grunts) Oh, yes, yes, yes, it's all right, but you have to, I have to, we have to.
>> What?
>> Did your mother not talk to you about?
>> What?
>> Oh, Lord.
Oh, well, madam, all that stuff about children being found under gooseberry bushes, that's not true.
>> Oh, no, it was the stork, hmm?
>> The stork?
>> The stork flies in the air (speaking foreign language) the babe, and down the chimney drops, huh?
>> No, no, madam, that isn't true, either.
When a hen lays an egg, it's not entirely all her own doing.
>> You mean sometimes it was the cuckoo?
>> Yes, it was the cuckoo.
Do you sing?
(Anne speaking foreign language) >> In Germany, a respectable woman doesn't sing.
>> And of course you don't play.
>> Anne: Oh, yes, I do.
>> I'll go and get you a guitar.
>> Anne: No, I play cards!
>> Cards?
Oh, that's something.
You can find a pack in the chest over there.
>> Peynell, have a drink.
>> No, thanks.
>> What stakes shall we play for?
>> How about that?
Don't cry if you lose.
Good?
>> Anne: Better.
>> Beginner's luck.
>> Stakes?
>> Henry: Oh, yes.
>> Don't cry if you lose.
>> You may not know it, madam, but I am considered the best card player in England.
(chuckles) (Henry grunts) Has anybody got any money?
Don't you understand the King's English?
I said money!
How much was it?
>> Anne: 95 crowns.
>> You, run to the treasury and get some money!
Your deal.
>> Anne: Aren't you getting some money?
>> Can't you give me five minutes credit?
>> Anne: I play for cash.
(Henry grumbles) >> Where's that money?
(butler knocks) Come in!
Where have you been?
Give me that money, get out of here!
Now.
(Henry grumbles) Cheating!
>> Don't shout.
>> I'm not shouting!
>> You are.
>> Ah, woman, what am I gonna do with you?
>> Anne: Chop my head?
>> Probably.
>> You daren't.
>> Why not?
>> Because in Europe, I will make such a scandal as you never heard.
It is not the first time you chopped the head.
Henry the Wife-Butcher, that's what they will call you.
>> I don't care what they say, I'm not going to live with you.
>> Anne: Why don't you divorce me like a gentleman?
>> Would you consent to a divorce?
>> Anne: I would consent to a divorce.
>> You're a very reasonable woman.
What are your terms?
>> Two manors.
>> Granted.
>> Anne: Richmond and Blenchingley with properties.
>> Granted.
>> 4,000 pounds a year.
>> Granted.
>> One of your gentlemen as master of my household.
>> Take whom you want.
>> Peynell.
>> Peynell?
>> Peynell.
>> Granted.
Is it a bargain?
>> Yah.
(Henry laughs) >> Confess that you cheated or you'll go back to Germany.
>> Back to Germany?
(chuckles) I cheated!
(Henry laughs) (Anne laughs) Confess, though, that you cheated.
>> Henry: What do you mean?
>> Didn't you hide a Katherine Howard to play against my queen, huh?
>> Oh, you knew about that all the time?
>> Anne: Yah.
>> Ah, it'll only mean another scandal.
At last, I've found a woman I can be faithful to, and, after your divorce, he'll never consent to another marriage.
>> Oh, yes, I think so, in a little time, and I will help you.
>> You're the nicest girl I ever married.
(Henry yawns) Good night.
>> Good (speaking foreign language).
>> Lovely weather for the time of year, Your Grace.
Will Your Grace be pleased to be shaved, Your Grace?
>> All right.
Do you remember telling me that my loyal Guild of Barbers thought I ought to marry again?
>> Oh, forgive me, Your Grace.
We took a very great liberty, Your Grace.
>> Not at all.
Very natural interest in the welfare of the country.
>> You're too kind, Your Grace.
>> Are they still of the same opinion?
>> Oh, no, indeed, Your Grace.
They realized their mistake.
>> Was it a mistake?
>> Oh, yes, Your Grace.
As I said at our last meeting, "God knows the king's done his best "to get more sons, but there comes "a time in life when the well runs dry."
>> Henry: You said that, did you?
>> Yes, I did, Your Grace.
>> Get out!
"The well runs dry."
(Henry grunts) >> Servant: It's no good, he won't touch it.
>> Why, whatever's wrong?
>> Everything.
He just sits and glares.
>> They're not trying to make him marry again?
>> I'd like to see 'em, after that German business.
>> After all, you can't say he hasn't tried.
>> Tried too often, if you ask me.
To say nothing of the side dishes.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that.
What a man wants is regular meals.
>> Yes, but not the came joint every night.
>> Oh!
(chef laughs) >> Oh, a man loses his appetite after four courses.
>> How do you mean "four courses"?
>> He got into the soup with Katherine of Aragon, cried stinking fish with Anne Boleyn, cooked Jane Seymour's goose, and gave Anne of Cleves the cold shoulder.
>> God save him, it's no wonder he suffers in the legs.
(low, somber music) >> Your Grace is sad tonight.
>> Official: What can we do to cheer Your Grace.
>> What could you do to cheer my loneliness?
>> Your Grace is lonely?
>> That is the penalty of greatness, sire.
>> Greatness, I would exchange it all to be my lowest groom who sleeps above the stable with a wife who loves him.
(Henry sighs) (low music) >> Your Majesty, there is one matter, one most urgent matter.
I scarcely dare to broach it.
I would have waited for a happier moment, but it is so pressing.
>> What is it?
>> Your Grace, your whole kingdom most urgently implores you to marry.
>> Oh, no, no,, oh, no, no, no.
Should I consent, it would be only put down to desires of the flesh.
>> Oh, never, Your Grace.
Your people know you too well.
>> That's what I mean.
>> Your Grace is pleased to jest, but the will of your people has always been your law.
>> And, Your Grace, they want this marriage to a man.
(Henry chuckles) >> I am not eager, but if all my people wish it, what can I do?
At least you have my promise to think it over.
Good night, my lords.
(people chatter) (low, lush music) (people chatter) You know, my country is demanding a great sacrifice of me.
>> What is it, Your Grace?
>> The lords, the commons, the bishops, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, and even my royal Guild of Barbers are imploring me to marry again.
>> Really, will it be the French princess?
>> No.
>> The emperor's niece?
>> No.
An English girl.
If she loves me.
Does she, sweet?
(low, romantic music) (bright, magisterial music) (people chattering) >> The red!
>> The black.
>> No, the red!
>> The black.
>> Come on!
Red!
>> Black.
>> No, red!
>> Your favorite's doomed.
>> No, no!
I bet another five pounds on him.
>> Taken.
>> Red!
Come on, red, red!
(people chatter) (Henry laughs) Ruined.
(Henry laughs) Now I can't bet any more.
You won my last crown.
>> Here, darling, and here.
(Henry chuckles) No matter what you lose, you still have everything.
Me and all England, huh?
(people chatter) Good bird there, good bird.
Take it away.
(people chatter) Are you a better judge of men than of birds, little Kate?
>> I bet 10 crowns on the taller of the two.
(people chatter) He must be the strongest man in all England.
>> Oh ho, but one.
The strongest man in England sits beside you.
>> Of course, darling, I know.
You've thrown every wrestler in your time.
>> In my time?
(Henry shouts) Stop!
Thomas!
You know that a wrestler who does not pit his whole strength against any man is punished by 30 lashes of the whip?
>> Wrestler: I know, Your Grace.
(Henry and wrestler grunt) >> Good work.
>> Hard work, when a man of 50 wants to show his wife that he's no more than 30.
>> He will show it.
(people cheer) (Katherine screams) >> Send for Dr. Butts!
>> No need for Dr. Butts.
It's nothing, darling.
I need fresh air, come on, Tom.
The games go on!
>> The games go on.
>> Down.
(guards chatter) Keep back there!
Keep your places, keep your places.
You too, hey.
(guards chatter) Steady.
Come on, men, set him in here.
On the bed.
The leg again, Your Grace?
>> Heart.
A little rest.
Nobody must come.
(people chatter) >> Shh.
>> Go away.
A little rest.
>> Thomas.
>> Culpeper: Only a passing weakness.
He'll be all right.
Don't take it so much to heart, Your Grace.
>> Have you no pity for me, Tom?
>> Culpeper: You wear the crown.
>> What have I done with my life?
I can't go on with it, I can't.
>> Culpeper: You must.
>> You were right.
Love is everything in the world, Tom.
>> Culpeper: Not now.
(Katherine weeps) Katherine, Katherine, don't.
>> Kate.
It was nothing, darling.
You lost again.
I threw your champion.
Thomas.
Thomas.
Good night.
>> Watchman: Midnight, and all's well!
>> There are three ships that are chartered from the king.
>> Where do you want to go?
>> America.
>> The Portuguese and the Spaniards have grabbed it.
>> North America.
>> North America?
It's impossible.
Nothing but a howling wilderness full of howling savages.
(person knocks) >> Thomas.
>> When?
>> 11 tonight.
>> The king?
>> The king has just sent word not to expect him.
>> Where?
>> In her room.
I'll take you to her.
(bell tolls) >> Katherine: I thought you were never coming.
>> I never should have come, Kate.
We can't go on like this.
>> I know it's dreadful, seeing each other every day and never being alone together.
>> Oh, it's not that.
It's being torn in half between you and the king.
>> But, Tom, we belong to each other.
>> No, we belong to him.
Don't you realize what I'm feeling, Kate?
>> For the king, yes.
But for me, what?
>> For you... Have you ever stood on the edge of a cliff and looked over?
It draws you, tugs at you to hurl yourself down.
You know that if you look again, you're gone.
Are you asking me to look again, Kate?
Are you?
>> Then this means goodbye?
>> It's the only way.
Goodbye.
>> Goodbye.
>> Goodbye.
(people chatter) (Henry chuckles) Wriothesley, Sir Thomas Wyatt's in the Tower.
He wrote beautiful love poems.
Send word that they release him.
>> Wriothesley: Yes, Your Grace.
>> Cancel all of his sentences.
>> Yes, Your Grace.
>> Goodnight, gentlemen.
>> Goodnight, Your Grace.
(Henry yawns) (Henry chuckles) Through how many blunders, stupidities, and cruelties has a man to pass before he finds his happiness in a wife?
>> Thank God he has given Your Majesty this happiness at last.
(Henry chuckles) >> Love is drunkenness when one is young.
Love is wisdom at my age.
Life has found its meaning, Cranmer.
Goodnight.
>> Goodnight, Your Majesty.
>> Take me with you.
>> Where could we go?
His arm would reach us everywhere.
(person knocks) >> Woman: Katherine, Katherine, the king is coming!
(footsteps crunch) >> My little girl.
More and more charming every day.
You know, I couldn't resist coming to see you.
(chuckles) Do you know the Germans offered me half of France if I join them?
(chuckles) And the French offer me Flanders.
(chuckles) They're very generous with each other's territory.
(chuckles) In my youth, in Wolsey's time, I'd have accepted one offer or the other, but what's the use of new territories and wars, wars, wars again?
If those French and Germans don't stop killing each other, the whole of Europe will be in ruins.
I want to compel them to keep peace, peace, peace.
(sighs) And there's no one in Europe to help me.
(laughs) My little girl, I am boring you with business, and you're tired, huh?
Now, now, now, you're very sleepy, and so am I. Goodnight.
Sleep well.
(yawns) Sleep well.
(chuckles) Goodnight.
(chuckles) >> Lady Rochford, do you know what it means to be put on the rack?
Your bones will be broken piece by piece.
Would you rather tell us what you know about the queen and Thomas Culpeper?
>> No, not the rack.
>> You conducted him to the queen for the first time, when?
>> Six months ago.
(dramatic, graceful music) (Henry grunts) >> What's the matter with all you young people?
Katherine, why aren't you dancing?
>> You said you didn't want to dance.
>> My leg's troubling me, but there's no excuse for Thomas here.
Thomas!
Go and dance with the queen.
What do you think I keep you for?
>> Culpeper: Does Your Grace care to dance?
>> Will she care to dance?
Will she care?
(chuckles) (graceful music) >> Darling.
>> What?
>> I adore you.
(graceful music) >> Wriothesley: My Lord, only you can tell His Majesty.
>> Men: Yes, yes, my Lord, you can.
>> You must tell him.
>> I can't.
(graceful music) >> Official: Your Majesty's Privy Council awaits His Majesty's orders.
>> Ah, we'll finish this when I come back.
>> Lord: Yes, Your Grace.
>> Forgive me, sweetheart, affairs of state.
The dance goes on.
(graceful music) Good evening, gentlemen.
Anything important today?
I can't be long, the queen's waiting for me.
Well, Mr. Secretary?
>> His Lordship the Archbishop of Canterbury has a matter of great importance to submit to Your Majesty.
>> Cranmer?
>> Your Majesty.
(fingers snap) >> Come along, Cranmer.
>> History teaches, even the Scriptures tell us- >> What is it?
>> Bad women of all times, even those who wore crowns- >> What is it?
What is it?
What is it?
>> His Lordship was trying to fulfill the most painful duty of a loyal subject, to tell the king that the queen had committed adultery.
>> With whom?
>> With Thomas Culpeper.
>> You!
(men grunt) Liar!
>> Wriothesley: It is proved, Your Majesty!
There are witnesses!
(Wriothesley pants) The witnesses are the Lady Rochford, the three maids of the queen, and John Cornell, the ladies Parnell, Bassett, and Morton, the queen's two pages, and Culpeper's body servant.
(Henry whimpers) (Henry sobs) (graceful music) >> Katherine, why is there a council tonight?
>> French and German again, I suppose.
Who cares?
(graceful music) >> Guard: Who goes there?
>> Guard: The watch.
>> Guard: Whose watch?
>> Guard: The king's watch.
>> Guard: God preserve the king.
(guards chatter) (footsteps thud) Midnight, and all's well.
(people chatter) >> Charles, Charles, where are you?
>> Charles: Here I am, darling.
>> No places again.
>> I'll find you someplace, little one.
(people chatter) (hammer bangs) (people chatter) (drums beat) (drum thuds) >> Katherine!
Katherine.
Mea culpa.
Mea culpa.
Mea maxima culpa.
Yes, yes, yes.
Mm.
>> Your Grace.
>> Go away, I'm tired, I'll do no more business today.
>> This is not business, Your Grace.
The Lady Anne is asking for an audience.
>> Anne, Anne?
>> The Lady Anne of Cleves.
>> Anne.
(chuckles) Tell her to come in.
Anne.
(chuckles) Well, well, well, well, Anne.
>> Anne: Good morning, Your Highness.
>> Good morning, Your Highness.
>> Anne: Well, how's life?
>> Oh, it's rather sad, Anne.
>> Anne: Oh, but why?
>> Well, I haven't got any friends, you know.
I haven't got a wife.
Haven't got any love in my life.
Haven't got anything, not even hatred.
>> Anne: What you want is a good wife.
>> Wife?
>> I said a good one, not a spiteful one like the first, not an ambitious one like the second, and not a stupid one like the third.
>> And not a cardsharper like the fourth.
>> No, and not a very young one like the fifth.
I said a good one.
>> Where do you find 'em?
>> Anne: I'll show you.
>> Henry: Hmm?
>> Child: Katherine, catch me, Katherine!
Katherine!
>> Oh, Nurse, don't you see?
Slow, darling.
There's a good boy.
>> Girl: Oh, me, too!
>> Oh, but your face is quite clean, Elizabeth.
>> Elizabeth: Me, too.
(Katherine chuckles) (Henry snaps) >> I know her.
(Henry snaps) >> Katherine Parr.
>> Yeah, Katherine.
Katherine, no, no, Katherine.
No, Katherine, Katherine.
>> No, Henry, you're an easygoing man, always getting yourself into trouble, and who has to suffer I should like to know.
You go to Dover on these rainy days, you sit on your royal council and get fussy and excited over nothing at all, and then you come to me and get fussy.
I don't know what I'm going to do with you, I'm sure.
What with one thing and another, my life just isn't worth living.
If I let you out of my sight for one moment, then you're up to some mischief.
I had only to turn my back for five minutes yesterday and you ate a whole saddle of lamb.
And who had to nurse you when you had the bellyache all through the nightlong?
Me!
I really don't know what I'm going to do with you.
Oh, Henry, Henry, Henry!
You know you can't digest it.
Take it away.
(bone clangs) And the drink.
(tankard rattles) >> Can't you hear what the queen tells you?
Take it away!
>> And bring a blanket.
(Henry pants) Now for a little nap.
>> Six wives, and the best of them's the worst.
(dramatic music)
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