The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)

I am not a fan of the original book but was expecting to see a better adaptation than the Natalie Portman movie, which I found awful. This version is even worse.First, there is very little of Ms. Gregory's book in this script. The whole subplot of George Boleyn's sexuality is completely eliminated and in this version George is merely a flunky shuttling between his duty to the Boleyn family and his duty to the King. I thought the title of the book referred to Mary as the lesser-known of the Boleyn sisters, but here it is used to refer to Anne.Second, the script has the characters periodically address the audience as if in confession. Apparently this is intended to give a bit of back story and explain their motives, but it is amateurish in execution.On top of the bad script, the direction is stunningly bad. There are too many shots done with a circling camera which is none-too-steady at best and downright shaky at worst. Several of the speeches are delivered tentatively, as if in a first rehearsal. The production values for Henry's flamboyant court are minimal. The costumes vary: some are copies of historical portraits and others are from some costume designer's fevered imagination. And the King, the source of all power and favors, is often shown ALONE. No fawning courtiers, no servants in the background - where are all the people?? I am accustomed to Hollywood turning history into fantasy, but I expected better from a BBC production. Even based on a flawed book this production is BAD.

From Philippa Gregory's novel, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' does not pretend to be a historical record but explores some themes and basic facts concerning the Boleyn girls, Mary and Anne, and their relationship with Henry VIII of England.This adaptation has the benefit of strong casting - Natasha McElhone and Jodhi May as the girls, Steven Mackintosh as their brother, Jared Harris as the King, Jack Shepherd and John Woodvine as the scheming elder Boleyns, seeing a chance to get their influence felt through sexual power over the King. This angle is well drawn, showing the girls as pawns in a power game. Smaller parts are equally well cast, including Philip Glenister as Stafford and Ron Cook as Cromwell.Shot in a modern style - Mary and Anne talk to the camera as if in a reality show - this drama is compelling if not necessarily accurate.

Henry VIII fans will not be disappointed in the fantastic yet unorthodox film from Phillipa Lawthorpe. Based on the book by Phillipa Gregory, the other Boleyn girl stars Natascha McElhelone as Mary Boleyn, the eldest sister of George and Anne Boleyn. Returning to court a newly and happily married woman the beautifully Mary soon catches the attention of the womanising King (Jared Harris). Pushed into his bed by her conniving and scheming family Mary sinks into a depression as her marriage begins to founder and she begins to grow strong feelings of affection for the king. When Mary falls pregnant the Boleyn family panic as they realise the power and influence other presently hold over the king will desert them should her find love with another. They scheme with their son George (Steven Mackintosh) a close confident and courtier of the King to introduce him to the equally beautiful but less quiet Anne (Jodhi May). Anne however has no desire to become the Kings mistress and be discarded just like her sister but as Henrys passion for Anne grows his feelings for Mary disappears and he drops her along with her newborn son. With Mary gone and with his marriage increasingly ever failing Anne makes the King realise that she can give him the son he desires and be the wife he has not had. But as the royal divorce looms and Mary returns to court to attend to her sister, who herself is waiting to marry the King, trouble is brewing that threatens her plans and puts them into jeopardy. Against the wishes of his people and ministers Henry and Anne marry amidst a storm of public disapproval and hatred but again only a daughter is born of their union. The Boleyns observe that the king is fast losing interest in Anne and learns her life is at stake and the King begins to find affection in the young and pretty Jane Seymour. A terrified Anne and the family go to extreme measure s to bear the king a son and to save her head. This film portrays Henry not as a vicious tyrant but as a lovesick child who seems desperate to find the right woman rather then gain a son. Although Anne Boleyn was charged with treason and incest along with her brother George these charges were always considered trumped up but Lowthorpe offers a different insight suggesting Anne made love to her brother and in time he made her pregnant. Rich in history accuracies this film is a must see for all Tudor history lovers.

Some strong performances, but with some irritating features. The hand-held camera effects - a bit like 'This Life', I felt, with lots of cutting back and forth - and then asides to camera as though Anne and Mary Boleyn were nipping off to the 'Big Brother' Diary room.A more important flaw was the lack of development of the religious or political themes - these were seen as background to purely personal conflicts - and, other than early in the film when the Boleyn family are shown discussing how to maintain influence at court - not the driving force behind events.The 'break with Rome' - for example - is mentioned in passing by Anne in a 'Diary Room' episode as though it is about as significant as next week's BB evictions, rather than as a defining episode in European history.