This magnificent and well-crafted historical costumer is set in Henry VIII (Richard Burton who garnered an Academy nomination and Golden Globe) age , concerning his life and lovers , and especially his relationship to Anne Boleyn . Based of the playwright by Maxwell Anderson which is particularly accurate as a history lesson . The origin conflict takes place when Catherine of Aragon (Irene Papas ) was previously married to Arthur , Henry VIII's older brother . Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (Anthony Quayle) was the most influential member of Henry's council , but Wolsey failed to obtain the Pope's permission for Henry 's new marriage to Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold , in her breakthrough international film role) . Wolsey came swiftly in distress and his possessions including the Palace of Hampton Court passed to King . Then Henry breaks with Catholic Church and secretly married Anne , creating the Anglican religion . When the King proclaimed himself as Head of the England Church was inevitable that Henry and Thomas Moro would clash . Those who stood in Henry's way , even those he claimed to love, invariably ended up on the scaffold and many catholic priests were led from their cells in the Tower of London and beheaded . Later on , Henry falls in love with a young favourite named Jane Seymour and he wishes to marry her . But the marriage to Anna did not last long and she was accused of adultery with his brother and four Communers .

Interesting screenplay based on the source stage play "Anne of the Thousand Days" by Maxwell Anderson that was originally produced on Broadway in New York at the Shubert Theatre, it describes "England between the years 1526 and 1536" . Dynamic performance by Richard Burton , though he hated both the film and his interpretation and was amazed when he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor . Burton had been the second actor to do so for playing Henry VIII, and the first to win for playing a role that someone else had already nominated an Oscar for playing the same character was actor Charles Laughton , he first played the monarch in 1933 for The private life of Henry VIII (1933) and won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance . Burton and Genevieve Bujold make an extraordinary battle of wits , they were two of the foremost talents of the time . Actresses Olivia Hussey, Julie Christie , and Faye Dunaway all turned down the role of Anne Boleyn , Hussey was the first choice for the part but she declined due to personal problems she was dealing with at the time , as the leading female part in the end was cast with French actress Geneviève Bujold who gives a marvelous acting . Understanding and charismatic acting by large secondary cast as John Colicos as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell , Irene Papas as suffering Catherine of Spain , Michael Hordern as Thomas Boleyn , Peter Jeffreys as Duke of Norfork , among others . It appears uncredited Elizabeth Taylor as masked courtesan in a lush ball , in fact she wanted to play Anne Boleyn, but was rejected as too old at age 37 .

Sumptuous cinematography by Arthur Ibbetson , reflecting glamorously the spectacular sets and luxurious gowns which won an Academy Award . Evocative and emotive musical score by Georges Delerue . Lavishly produced by Hal B Wallis, fitting accurately to Renaissance time , though the film received mixed reviews, it was a financial flop on release . This engrossing motion picture was brilliantly directed by Charles Jarrot who continued in similar style with ¨Mary queen of Scots¨, about Henry's great-niece, he directed two years later and again a wills duel , this time starred by Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth and Vanessa Redgrave as Mary Stuart .

The great cast and my love for period pieces and fascination with the Tudors were the main attractions, and while not perfect Anne of the Thousand Days is a well-done film a lot of the time. It is let down by Charles Jarrott's direction being pedestrian and lacking in style, almost indifferent; some scenes lacking dramatic oomph especially in the early scenes, not helped by some stodginess in the pacing; parts that felt dragged out like in the early scenes and rushed in others like after Henry and Anne's wedding with the fact of Anne being involved in the church's reform being barely touched upon, and Peter Jeffrey's very bland Duke of Norfolk.

But Anne of the Thousand Days does look amazing, the scenery and interiors are of colourful lavishness and the handsome costumes rightly deserved the Oscar received, the attention to detail always more than evident. The cinematography is first rate as well. Anne of the Thousand Days has also a luscious- in every meaning of the word- music score(especially the love theme used to poignant effect with Anne in the Tower of London counting down the thousand days, and a very witty script. How can one not savour Henry and Anne's charming banter or lines like "you make love as you eat, with a great deal of noise and no subtlety" and "we used the incest excuse last time. We can't have a habit of it"? And we mustn't forget Anne's final speech to Henry, it may be rather prophetic and anachronistic but it is still such a powerful piece of dialogue vividly delivered by Genevieve Bujold (unfortunately it's repeated accompanying toddler Elizabeth in the courtyard and it has nowhere near the same impact, if anything it was unnecessary and clunky). Dramatically it's that scene, the confrontation between Henry and Anne, that's the highlight of the film, it blazes like fireworks and really gave me goosebumps.

As for the acting it was very good, especially Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn. She is very poignant as the character and gives her a strong will too, not afraid to speak her mind. Anthony Quayle's sympathetic but also subtly menacing Wolsey, John Colicos' slimy Cromwell, Irene Papas' touchingly dignified Katherine of Aragon, William Squire's equally dignified Thomas Moore and Michael Horden's agreeable Thomas Boleyn are also excellent. Richard Burton doesn't completely inhabit Henry, being not quite right physically, and he does come across as hammy on occasions, but he portrays Henry still with great gusto and intensity, his interpretation being one of a blustering king with a soul. His chemistry with Bujold is mostly convincing, sometimes early on a little soap-opera-ish but mostly it's charming and witty yet tense and affecting. Overall, Anne of the Thousand Days is a most respectable film with its best things being above very good. 7/10 Bethany Cox

ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS tells the story of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. I've seen this story so many times now, in everything from THE TUDORS to HENRY VII AND HIS SIX WIVES, that it would take a special kind of film to really get me interested in the story again.

Sadly, ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS isn't that film. Oh, it's a perfectly adequate costume drama to be sure, but it never feels like anything more than that. The film looks good but the script just lacks the kind of intrigue, excitement and drama that the material demands. It's also at least an hour too long, dragging the early stages of the marriage out far too long and to little reason.

The relationship between Anne and Henry is depicted in soap opera-ish ways and occasionally feels trite, despite the best efforts of both actors. It's always apparent that these two are acting the parts, rather than inhabiting the roles; there's something very mannered about both Burton and Bujold. A lack of really interesting supporting performers hurts it too.

Not a bomb, then, just a passable movie that I have no great desire to rewatch. Certainly no classic. Natalie Dormer's vixen-like turn as the scheming Anne in THE TUDORS is still my favourite portrayal of the doomed queen.