FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Following Peter O’Toole’s portrayal of King Henry I in A Lion in Winter your choices for what we’ll show on Tuesday 19 November are out of three more cinematic - and very different - takes on English kings. Up for the vote are…

Edward II (Derek Jarman, UK, 1991)

"A mesmerising film that bristles with fury, sexuality and radical wit." - Rolling Stone

Derek Jarman reinterprets Christopher Marlowe's play about the tragic reign of King Edward II (Steven Waddington), whose passionate love for Piers Gaveston (Andrew Tierney) leads to political turmoil and social upheaval. Widely regarded as one of Jarman’s best films, striking visuals and contemporary elements combine to highlight the timelessness of its themes, blending historical context with modern queer sensibilities.

The Madness of King George (Nicholas Hytner, UK, 1994)

"Hawthorne turns what would surely be an unsympathetic role in lesser hands into something poetic -- and hysterical." - Washington Post

Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren lead the cast of this big-screen adaptation of Alan Bennett's play. As King George III grapples with his mental decline, the monarch's erratic behaviour threatens his reign and family, prompting political challenges and societal upheaval. Bennett's wit and Hawthorne's Oscar-nominated performance combine to produce an entertaining fake on the intersection of power, sanity, and the human condition.

The Private Life of Henry VIII (Alexander Korda, UK, 1933)

"The sensual gusto in the scenes of Henry's indulgences is enthusiastically presented, and Korda deserves credit for giving us a very human portrait of this controversial figure.' - All Movie Guide

Charles Laughton's portrayal of the lustful and ravenous monarch helped cement the popular image of the roast-chicken guzzling king. With Merle Oberon, Elsa Lanchester and Wendy Barrie among the actresses playing his ill-fated wives, and set almost entirely within the walls of Henry’s castle, this is an enjoyably over-the-top romp through Tudor history.