Anne Of The Thousand Days (1969)

When his marriage to Catherine Of Aragon (Irene Papas) leaves him without a male heir, King Henry VIII (Richard Burton) turns his eye to the young Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold), fresh from the French court. But in order to make her his wife, he will embark on a journey that will shake the foundations of the British monarchy and change the course of the future of England. Based on the play by Maxwell Anderson and directed by Charles Jarrott (THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT). As far as historical epics go, ANNE is one of the better ones (although its original reviews were quite mixed) even though its historical accuracy is highly questionable. But I certainly hope people don't go to the movies believing they are seeing "real" history. But as drama, it's an engrossing watch. It would be too much to expect Burton to restrain himself and he doesn't (but he's good) but the film belongs to Bujold all the way. From the delicate girl in the first flush of love (but not with Henry VIII) to the righteously raging Queen, she's a powerhouse! The regal score is by Georges Delerue. With Anthony Quayle (in an Oscar nominated performance), John Colicos, Michael Hordern, Valerie Gearon, Vernon Dobtcheff, Denis Quilley and Nora Swinburne.