The
Tudors:
The Complete Third Season
Sad
Decline of Majesty, July 10, 2010
I had planned to see
the entire visually stunning THE TUDORS series before remarking on them, but
after viewing Season 3, I had to speak out.
In the first 2 programs the youthful exuberance of a very sexy Jonathan Rhys
Meyers is set to a visual symphony of the highest production values. Acting,
set, costumes, script (more often than not), all of the highest quality. Ok,
watching some Brit monarch running around yelling "I am the King of
England" or "I Am the Queen of England" gets a bit fraying on
the nerves, but one can a least tolerate it when it's part of a dramatic whole.
One thing I liked about Seasons 1 & 2 is the slant it gives to the main
female characters. Princess Mary, usually depicted by British history as
inherently sinister, is given a less propagandized role in this movie. She is
more balanced, even attractive. Another case of this approach is seen in the
character of Queen Jane. History usually paints her as a kind-hearted
simpleton. Again, not in this flick. Not only is the actress who plays Jane
ravishingly blonde & beautiful, her acts of charity in trying to reconcile
Henry to his 2 daughters are based as much on a thoughtful, diplomatic overview
then a simple, kindly nature. Little Princess Elizabeth is adorable
All good stuff, right? So what went wrong?
The elements of physical torture & sexual manipulation that were more or
less intrinsic to the storyline, become increasing cruel & even grotesque
in Season 3. This could be overlooked but for one simple fact: Like movie stars
in old Hollywood, romantic, historic characters (especially women) were not
allowed to appear to age from teen to middle age. This is how Jonathan Rhys
Meyers is presented. Oh, he's a little rough around the edges in Season 3, but
he doesn't essential age, not his face, not his character. In short, he is
completely out of his depth.
There is a totally ridiculous scene thrown in where the bitter, aging Henry is
approaching madness (in part probably physically caused by disease) and has a
sort of artsy-fartsy dialogue with his "Fool." Where the hell did
this "Fool" come from? Not from any preceding scene in the series.
The actor who plays the Fool is a veteran of British drama, but for all his
technique he cannot do anything but appear completely out of context. It is an
embarrassing & unnecessary interlude
Well, 'nough said--but my last remark is this: Look at the cover art of each
program. From 1-2 to 3 is a descent from class to sleaze. What began as a
potential masterpiece degrades to the level of Caligula...well, it's not THAT
bad.
The
Six Wives of Henry VIII
Henry
VIII
Masterpiece
Theatre: Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen
Mary,
Queen of Scots [VHS]
A
Man for All Seasons
Cromwell
Anne
of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of Scots
Elizabeth
- The Golden Age (Widescreen Edition)
Elizabeth
I
Review: JEFarrow
Updated 08/10
www.gnostics.com