God Would Not Allow Me to Condemn Unjustly

The strange and true story of Anne Boleyn has captured the imaginations of authors, artists, poets, and filmmakers for almost five hundred years. This particular rendition of her sudden rise to power and subsequent demise, Anne of a Thousand Days, was released in 1969, was directed by Charles Jarrott, and starred Richard Burton (who did several very famous films, including The Robe, which is the only one that I've seen) and Genevieve Bujold (who has performed in several foreign films).

The film opens with the end of Anne's story, where King Henry VIII (Burton) agonizes over whether or not to sign her death sentence, approving it. He is crazed, blanched with agony, uncertain who is right and who to blame. He thinks back on his experiences with Anne (Bujold). The film continues to tell their warped love story, as first Henry lusts for Anne, and then begins to believe that he is in love with her. She refuses him, as she is in love with another man, Henry Percy. He pursues her, commands her to come to court, and finally determines that he must divorce his wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon (brilliantly played by Irene Papas), in order to win Anne's favor. Both Katherine and the Pope refuse Henry's request for annulment. Henry is convinced by his adviser Thomas Cromwell to break with Rome, and become head of the church in England, for no one in England shall have more power than the King, according to law. After great consideration and moments of prayer, Henry refuses the authority of the Pope, sends away Katherine, marries Anne, and arrests everyone who disagrees with him on the subject.

Anne finds herself suddenly and deeply in love with Henry, and with the power that such an allegiance brings. She becomes pregnant quickly and births a healthy, perfectly formed baby Elizabeth - a great disappointment to Henry, who is obsessed with and desperately needs sons to keep his kingdom together after his death. He falls out of his infatuation with Anne, and becomes interested in another young, beautiful girl at court. The birth of a dead son from Anne puts the final nail in her coffin. At the suggestion of Cromwell, Henry is persuaded that Anne has committed adultery with numerous men - including her own brother - and condemns her to death for treason. Anne dies, but not before she spits at Henry, "Elizabeth shall be a greater queen than any king of yours. She shall rule a greater England than you could ever have built. Yes! My Elizabeth shall be Queen. And my blood will have been well spent."

There are many nuances to the story that I was unable to explain here. At two hours and twenty-five minutes of playing time, this movie captures them all. I know this story well; I have encountered it in history classes, in historical fiction novels by multiple authors, and in film. I am willing to state that this movie tells it best. It is true tragedy explained - you feel there is no one victim, but rather feel that everyone has a sorrow to bear, and a measure of misfortune all their own - even Henry, as in this movie it seems that he truly believes every thought that crosses his mind. He actually seems to believe that what he does is God's will.

Anne states it best when she says while in prison, "But when I no longer hated him, he began to hate me, except for that one day."

It should be noted that the film was nominated for several Academy Awards, and won the Oscar for Best Costume Design (Margaret Furse). Trust me, the movie and the designer both deserved it.

Though sad, this film is wonderful, vibrant, witty, and beautiful, and I recommend it highly.