The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

After seeing this in the theatre, I was ready to give it 5 stars. I love period movies, especially about the Tudors, and I really enjoyed this one. However, after watching the deleted scenes on the DVD, I realized this movie should have been much better!When I ordered the DVD, I had already resigned myself to little or no features. Elizabeth, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age were sorely lacking. Most period movies have few extras, despite having such a treasure trove of history to mine. However, I was surprised and delighted with the excellent selection of special features on this DVD! First, there are several deleted scenes, many of which should have been included in the film. For the most part, they centered around Mary and gave more insight into her life with her husband after Anne supplants her, plus some calculating scenes with Anne. One scene with Mary's husband upon seeing her "bastard" child of Henry was quite poignant. All of these would have enriched the movie to be more than just two women in rivalry for a king. It could have been 5 stars and would no doubt have pleased more people who saw the film. Also included in the extras was a feature called "To Be Lady" about court etiquette and the precarious life of a woman, even noble, in those times. It featured interviews with the author, some college history professors, and the cast/crew of the film. Women were often exploited in that time to the benefit (or detriment) of their families. And Mary and Anne were no exception. Another excellent feature was about translating history to film. They discussed the book vís á vís the movie, what they used of history, how the expanded on Mary's lesser known character. I have not read the book this film is based on, and didn't feel any urge to do so after seeing the movie. However, these two features and the interview with the author and cast have piqued my interest in the novel. I definitely intend to read it now.Many DVDs throw in biographies of the characters just to have another extra to list. They are usually nothing more than frozen screen shots a viewer clicks through. But, this DVD included bios of 5 principal characters which included interviews from the author, historians, the cast and crew, coupled with footage from the movie. They were like mini-bios from A&E. Very well done, and I would recommend first time viewers of the movie watch before the film as they really help to keep the characters straight (such as Mary's two husbands, William Carey and William Stafford who look enough alike with the same name that I sometimes confused them). The DVD also includes a commentary, which I didn't listen too because I find them very boring. Overall, a fantastic set of features on a single disc edition.As to the film, I thought the costumes and sets were phenomenal, the story was very good and the casting spot on. The cinematography is expertly done, and helps set the tone and tell the story as much as the script. Some viewers have complained that Natalie Portman wasn't good as Anne Boleyn. I've read a lot of history books and historical fiction on Anne and I thought she played the part true to the person (if not the book, which I can't comment on). Anne Boleyn wasn't a raving beauty, she was striking. Her major appeal came from denying Henry and being intelligent, ambitious, manipulative - in short, a match for him in many ways. She intrigued him. Portman brought all these qualities to light in her portrayal. Scarlett Johansson actually exceeded my expectations. I have only seen her in a couple movies, and the parts didn't require much effort. However, I thought she embodied the somewhat naïve and soft Mary, who is quickly disillusioned about the real world, and even her family. The two women played against each other beautifully. In one of the features, the director mentions how in the book it is often not clear which of them is "the other" Boleyn girl and that he uses this in the film. He does, and it works to great effect.Eric Bana as Henry is perhaps the weakest casting choice, but he wasn't bad by any stretch. History bears out that Henry was young, handsome, charming and athletic until injured falling from a horse so Bana fit that fine. Bana is best as the temperamental king who is at once attracted and disgusted by Anne's manipulation, and drawn to Mary's docile nature. His interactions with other characters didn't really stand out, but the movie was focused on the women so this was fine. Two other stand outs were Anna Torrent as Queen Katherine of Aragon and David Morrissey as the Duke of Norfolk. Though her role was small, Torrent's Katherine made a big impact. She commanded every scene she was in. She was at once regal, and pitiable, as the victim of her husband's desperation for a male heir. Morrissey played a consummate politician - calculating, controlling and just a bit sleazy. Without him, it would be difficult to sympathize with either Anne or her family. His ruthless game of chess, in which they are pawns was vital to the film. Yes, liberties are taken with historical fact, but some license must be given to film as its own art form just as for a historical fiction. Not much is known about Mary Boleyn, but this film certainly stirs the imagination of what she may have been like.Overall, I highly recommend this DVD!

Was happy this was available to purchase

Oh my the DRAMA but wow is it good!!!

An all-star cast weaves a sixteenth-century soap opera in this colorful attempt to breathe new life into a familiar story. Written by Peter Morgan and directed by Justin Chadwick, The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) was based on a novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory. Billed as a scandalous portrayal of King Henry VIII's courtship and eventual marriage to Anne Boleyn, this film seems quaint by today's standards. Its release was timed to capitalize on Showtime's The Tudors (2007-2010), but lacked that show's outstanding performances.The film opens in Tudor England during the reign of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) and his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance) learn the King is unhappy with his wife, Katherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent), who has not yet produced a male heir. They sense an opportunity to advance their social standing by installing one of Boleyn's daughters as the King's mistress. His daughter Mary (Scarlett Johansson) has already wed William Carey (Benedict Cumberbatch), so they turn to Anne (Natalie Portman).Over the objections of his wife, Elizabeth Boleyn (Kristin Scott Thomas), Thomas invites the King to his estate to introduce him to Anne. Things get complicated when the King is injured in a hunting accident and he falls in love with Mary when she tends to his injury. Mary becomes the King's mistress, and Anne is exiled to France for trying to marry an earl without the King's knowledge.Anne returns from France a transformed woman, and despite Mary giving birth to a baby boy, she sets her sights on winning the King's affection and becoming Queen. It's an all-too-familiar story, which ends in an all-too-familiar way. Unfortunately, the filmmakers chose to continue the story past its logical conclusion, when Anne wins the rivalry with Mary for the King's affection.King Henry VIII ruled England from 1509 to 1547. He is known for severing the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, and for having six wives, two of whom he had executed. Mary Boleyn was the King's mistress for a time, and is rumored to have bore two of his illegitimate children. She was married twice, the second time to a common soldier, and died estranged from her family.Anne Boleyn became Queen of England in 1533, however, her failure to produce a male heir led to her execution for treason and other trumped-up charges three years later. Henry and Anne's daughter, Elizabeth, became one of England's most renowned queens, who reigned for over 44 years.The Other Boleyn Girl follows the general outline of history but changes many details. King Henry VIII met both Mary and Anne Boleyn at court, not at their father's estate. Henry had been present at Mary's wedding. Mary was not an innocent maiden when they met, having already had an affair with the King of France, among others in the French court. In contrast, Anne was well-educated, intelligent, gracious, and politically astute, a far cry from the brash and boorish depiction in this film. The Tudors also unfairly portrayed Anne this way.Compared with The Tudors, the acting in The Other Boleyn Girl leaves much to be desired. Natalie Dormer played a much more convincing seductress than Natalie Portman. She oozed sexuality, confidence, and energy. Jonathan Rhys Meyers' portrayal of King Henry VIII makes Eric Bana's seem flaccid by comparison. Of course, The Tudors had more time to develop their relationship and keep building the suspense. That's why The Other Boleyn Girl should have ended when Anne became queen and devoted more time to the rivalry with her sister.The Other Boleyn Girl is the kind of romantic costume drama that critics generally dislike but that appeals to a certain audience (the word "soap opera" comes to mind). It currently holds a 42% positive rating from critics and 62% audience favorability on RottenTomatoes. The film was commercially lukewarm as well, grossing $26.8 million on a $35 million budget. The filmmakers should have focused on what unique elements they brought to the story, rather than waste screen time rehashing what audiences have seen before.

Acting was terrific, sets, costumes, musical score, all wonderful, but having read so many books about this subject, the story is very incomplete. I guess that's what can be squeezed into approximately 2 hours.Anne Boleyn was a pawn, as were so many noble women, in that time, and I, personally, believe that she's been credited with far too much control, over her own life and decisions. Her father, uncle, and most probably her mother, were all very, very ambitious, and simply tried to rise too high. Finding favor with the king was everything, losing that favor usually meant your end.It is simply fascinating, to me, to grasp the fact that this event, this woman, not only changed the entire face of England, the break with the Catholic church, but also bore one of the greatest sovereigns in history, her daughter, Elizabeth. Movie is very well done.

I understand books having more detail and such than the movie. And I understand the need to abridge stories for a movie. But when it is a historical story, cutting real facts kind of ruins it for me. Much of what Phillipa Gregory puts in her novels is made up, but all based around the facts. For cinematic effect, they cut some or the facts. Good thing I love all the actors. Thankfully, they have done a much better job with Phillipa's other Plantagenet and Tudor series novel - the White Queen, the White Princess, and the Spanish Princess mini series on Starz.

OK movie

This is not a film I intend ever to revisit. Full disclosure, I have a problem with historical fiction so I tend to be critical because it isn't fact but an imagining of fact and I have read a lot on the period in question.Henry looks nothing like him nor does the actor playing him have the presence and menace Henry had.Here's a little but defensible criticism, why leave out moments we have on good record happened? On the day of her execution Anne Boleyn put her fingers around her neck and said with a nervous laugh "I have but a small neck."On the plus side for the film, no one but no one looks into a camera with a trembling lip quite as well as Scarlett Johannson does. Her good looks can deceive and make you forget that she is such a wonderfully fine actress besides all that superficial stuff.As a film, worth seeing once is how I would put it.

I did enjoy this film, but I can't say it was brilliant.Thought the storyline was interesting and I did feel sympathy for the characters portrayed. It wasn't a totally black and white film which was nice-- there was a bit of depth to it. The costumes and settings were beautiful. I liked Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn. I thought her accent was quite good. Kristin Scott Thomas was great(as always) as the mother. Eric Bana was Ok as King Henry VIII. His character actually had more depth than I was expecting. He does some terrible things but there are also some quite sweet moments between him and Mary. the weak link for me was Natalie Portman(using the same accent as in V for Vendetta) I didn't really sympathise with her character much at all and found her quite grating.The history was pretty innacurate. I'm not usually a stickler for this kind of thing but this is a well known story and facts should have been right!As a whole-- an Ok film... good entertainent value. Not a masterpiece!

Excellent acting by all in this movie. I took a long time to accept the storyline however because it tears apart the facts of what really happened. The actual history of these characters is fairly well known I think and some of the changes made by the film makers here defy logic. However, I am no purist and this is not a documentary. If you put aside your knowledge of history you will love this film as a work of fiction.

Love this film, seen it a few times that's why I have brought the dvd,well worth watching 😁😁

All leads played their parts extremely well. Locations were ideal, and all in all a great production. Many years ago, I watched Anne of the 1000 Days, and this more modern production was a good match. Enjoyed every minute of it. An abject lesson in vaulting ambition in one family (the Boleyns) and the possible consequences.