Titreenp
SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Richard Lyons
This is a fab little gem as the posters say. I didn't quite know what to expect as this isn't a thriller, nor is it a horror or for that matter much of a costume drama. What unfold here is almost a playlette but in a real location. TP McKenna is a powerful Henry despite being towards the end of his life and every inch the king. Nice to see a different take on the usual school history version of Henry and his wives. That said the wives do make an appearance but a the less said here the better save for spoilers. I liked this film and think that if you are in the right mood you will connect with it. For those willing to try something away from the bodice ripping TV movie versions of Henry (all gelled back hair and waxed chests) this makes for a pleasant change and at least has something to say. Shot on a shoe string over just a few weeks make the achievement all the more impressive. This film has certainly been through the wars, having been released in the late 90s to not much ado and then lost. The extras on the DVD reveal the fascinating story of the original camera negative and how this was the key to this HD remastered release which hits cinemas again some twenty years after its first bow.
gabrielcurrington
I was lucky enough to see this film at the cinema when it was released and now have my DVD copy in this beautifully remastered version.Great performances by the late TP McKenna; Jean March and Peter Miles, of Doctor Who fame.The film which is shot at Charlton House, with its dark and sinister interiors which really lends itself to the nature of this broody and macabre film.There is also a small cast which I think has helped play with the uncomfortable feel you get of the surroundings.The soundtrack comprising of a chamber sized orchestra and I believe some crash cymbals all help enhance the mood of the film throughout.This movie is definitely a must have to go with your DVD collection.
maura-walsh
I'm surprised none of the other reviews here so far have spotted that this film is a bit of a Doctor Who-fest. An average film might have 50 or so in it's cast and if there was an odd actor who appeared in from the 50 year old sci-fi series, it would not be too much of a surprise. What is startling here is we have a cast of about eight leading players and half of them have been in Doctor Who.Peter Miles played the evil Nyder in Genesis of the Daleks and appeared in the Dinosaur Invasion of Earth, plus a few others. James Coombes was a Cyberman and Jean Marsh (who plays a ghostly Queen here) was in her evil witch persona for the Sylvester McCoy epic Battlefield. Plus she was also an early Who girl and married Jon Pertwee. Lastly the Monarch form this film's title, the great and sadly late, TP McKenna joined the seventh Doctor for The Greatest Show In The Galaxy.Has this film been given a spit and polish form the vast film archives of the British Cinema vaults to coincide with the 50th Anniversary hoopla? Either way it's a welcome addition. And having seen John Walsh's furiously funny ToryBoy The Movie in cinemas, I am a fan pure and simple. He gets my vote every time :)
A porsche
For most people the words "costume drama" can be a big turn off. Yet this film is not the usual fare, no Mr Darcy here, in fact no romance at all. What the film does leave you with is a haunted feeling. So may films set in this period, 1500s have a sense of conceit and design that makes it hard for you to feel amerced in the period. Instead you are left looking at the crowds and costumes imagining all the man hours, not here.This film is set on location in a real manor house and with a sparse cast, the sense of unease and dread is palpable. Others that saw the film with me felt that same sense of chill, yet this is not a horror film. Afterwards I was left thinking about this and what John Walsh had achieved with his handful of players, confined story and location. Worth a look if you want to see that can be achieved away from the 'Madding Crowd' of those historical re-tellings. This is beautifully shot too.The big reveal here if course is that Henry VIII comes to stay, or rather has the house broken into. Great casting and music lends this to repeat viewings, but ideally at night time, after midnight.
