History of England in Film
I want to create a list of (fairly) historical films that tell the history of the England from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II. I may also want to start listing films that deal with the period from Rome's departure through the pre-Norman period. This list doesn't include documentaries. I also want to avoid strictly period pieces that focus on fictional characters like Arthur and Robin Hood even though something can be learned from those tales as well. I know some of the movies (Braveheart and Rob Roy) are told from a Scots point of view, but at some point, I would like this list to cover the history of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
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- DirectorGilles GrangierSergiu NicolaescuStarsHervé BellonJohn TerryMircea AlbulescuWilliam's government blended elements of the English and Norman systems into a new one that laid the foundations of the later medieval English kingdom.[141] How abrupt and far-reaching the changes were is still a matter of debate among historians, with some such as Richard Southern claiming that the Conquest was the single most radical change in European history between the Fall of Rome and the 20th century.~1066 CE.
- DirectorPeter GlenvilleStarsRichard BurtonPeter O'TooleJohn GielgudKing Henry II of England comes to terms with his affection for his close friend and confidant Thomas Becket, who finds his true honor by observing God's divine will rather than the King's.~1155 to 1170 CE.
Middle Ages, First Plantagenet monarch, Henry "Curtmantle" II.
What we learned from the movie.... King Henry II of England has trouble with the Church. When the Archbishop of Canterbury dies, he has a brilliant idea. Rather than appoint another pious cleric loyal to Rome and the Church, he will appoint his old drinking and wenching buddy, Thomas Becket, technically a deacon of the church, to the post. Unfortunately, Becket takes the job seriously and provides abler opposition to Henry. - DirectorAnthony HarveyStarsPeter O'TooleKatharine HepburnAnthony Hopkins1183 A.D.: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. When he allows his imprisoned wife Eleanor of Aquitaine out for a Christmas visit, they all variously plot to force him into a decision.Christmas 1183 CE.
Middle Ages, First Plantagenet monarch, Henry "Curtmantle" II.
What we learned from the movie... Grizzled old Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his feisty wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Kathryn Hepburn) have been feuding ever since she murdered his mistress - which is kinda understandable. Still, they get together to make nice at the wedding of their AC/DC son Richard (Anthony Hopkins) and Alais of France (Jane Merrow) - who's also Henry's new mistress, the sly old dog. Things don't go according to plan, with Richard refusing the marriage, Philip II of France (Timothy Dalton) fomenting rebellion among all three of Henry's sons, and all of them threatened with imprisonment or death by their father. That's probably why elder son Richard went on to become a psycho cannibal (the other two disappeared) and the French king triumphantly swanned off to become James Bond.
What really happened... There was no family Christmas at Chinon in 1183 (though they did get together the year before) and none of the events or dialogue in the film have much basis in fact. Still, the outcomes are pretty spot-on: Henry and Eleanor (who was a kick-ass character, by the by) had a fiery relationship in their later years, and he really did imprison her (whether she actually poisoned his mistress is still debated). Family strife between Henry and his three surviving sons also did much to fracture their parents' empire: Henry and Eleanor between them at one point ruled more of France than the French King did. Quel loser!
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/2.asp - DirectorJonathan EnglishStarsPaul GiamattiJason FlemyngBrian CoxIn thirteenth-century England, a Knights Templar and a few of the Barons men fight to defend Rochester Castle against the tyrannical King John.~1215 CE.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.~1292 to 1305 CE.
Middle Ages, Fifth Plantagenet monarch, Edward "Longshanks" I.
What we learned from the movie... Manly, heavy-metal-haired Scot William Wallace (Mel Gibson) gets fed up with those English comin' up here, rapin' his women, and decides to fight back. After some military success that is all due to the Scots flashing their bits at the English, notably at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Wallace raids as far as York before being forced back and defeated at Falkirk. He is betrayed, captured by pantomime villain English King Edward I, and hung, drawn and quartered in public - although not before having it off with the French princess who married Edward's gay son. Yes, that sound you hear is the Scots having the last laugh.
What really happened... First of all, he's 1000 years late with the blue face paint, 500 years too early with the kilts - and we're not convinced by the mooning. The stuff about primae noctis and local lords demanding the right to first dibs on Scottish brides is urban legend, Robert the Bruce gets a bad rap, Edward's son probably wasn't gay, and Isabelle didn't even arrive in England until several years after Wallace's death, which sadly means he didn't knock her up and sneakily infiltrate the British monarchy.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/4.asp - DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghDerek JacobiSimon ShepherdIn the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.1413 to 1420 CE.
Middle Ages, second Lancastrian, King Henry V.
What we learned from the movie... This adaptation of Shakespeare's play sees the young and untried Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) decide to attack France, both in pursuit of his own dynastic claims to the French throne and in retribution after the French king sends him tennis balls as an insult (Imagine! Tennis balls!). Despite huge forces being arrayed against him, Henry won a notable victory at Agincourt (where the French army lost 10,000 and Henry lost 29 men), and forced Charles of France to appoint Henry his heir. Henry's due to be crowned by the Norse God Thor in 2011.
What really happened... This one's mostly right, since Shakespeare paid a good bit more attention to history than any modern screenwriter or studio would countenance. The tennis balls bit is probably balls; by the time of that scene, Henry had already proved his military prowess, the French were shaking in their stylish-but-rather-foppish boots and were not going to poke their neighbor with a stick, or a tennis ball. Interestingly, Branagh's film adds a bit of extra authenticity in portraying the French king as a lunatic; history suggests he was.
The numbers killed at Agincourt may have been exaggerated, however. The French casualties were probably more like 7,000 according to modern historians and the English between 400 - 1,600. Still a clear win for Henry though. Vive l'Angleterre!
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/ - DirectorMichael HayesStarsPatrick GarlandJohn RinghamNoel JohnsonFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagent of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.1422 to 1445 CE.
Third Lancastrian, King Henry VI. - DirectorMichael HayesStarsEdgar WrefordTerry ScullyMary MorrisFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagent of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.1422 to 1445 CE.
Third Lancastrian, King Henry VI. - DirectorMichael HayesStarsJohn RinghamTerence LodgeAdrian BrineFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagenet of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.1422 to 1445 CE.
Third Lancastrian, King Henry VI. - DirectorMichael HayesStarsFrank WindsorJack MayJulian GloverFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagenet of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.1422 to 1445 CE.
Third Lancastrian, King Henry VI. - DirectorMichael HayesStarsJohn WarnerTamara HinchcoMary MorrisFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagenet of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.1422 to 1445 CE.
Third Lancastrian, King Henry VI. - DirectorRichard LoncraineStarsIan McKellenAnnette BeningChristopher BowenThe classic Shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15th-century king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s England as clouds of fascism gather.1482-1485 CE.
End of the Middle Ages, second reigning York, King Richard III.
What we learned from the movie... Hitler-moustache-sporting Richard (Ian McKellen) is the brother of the popular, handsome King Edward IV (John Wood), but plots against his sibling in secret, eventually seizing the throne on his brother's death despite having two nephews. But the hunchbacked, paranoid Richard soon finds enemies ranged against him, because after all no one likes a bloke who murders his nephews and goes around dressing like a Nazi. As these enemy forces (not the French, for once) seem poised to triumph against him at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard's car gets stuck in the mud and he offers to exchange his kingdom for a horse. Unfortunately, he doesn't get to keep either because he is killed by the future Henry VII.
What really happened... Well, of course the 1930s fascist setting isn't accurate, what with it being deliberately anachronistic. Aside from that, and our aul' mucker Shakespeare here proves that he does have what it takes to work in Tinseltown by engaging in historical distortion and outright slander. There's no proof that Richard ordered the murder of the princes in the Tower, nor that he was a hunchback. Oh, and while practically every actor to have played him is in his 40s or older, Richard died at age 32, so he was only a stripling. But given that Henry VII's granddaughter was Queen in Shakespeare's day, the Bard was a little reluctant to point any of that out.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/ - StarsAneurin BarnardRebecca FergusonAmanda HaleThree different, yet equally relentless women vie for the throne in 15th-century England.1464 to 1485 CE.
First reigning York, Edward IV, and second reigning York, Richard III. - StarsJames MaxwellBruce HodgkinsNorma WestA series recording the key events in the reign of Henry Tudor and his founding of the Tudor Dynasty1485-1509, Henry VII, shows a modern king learning how to navigate finance rather than chivalry.
- StarsJodie ComerRebecca BensonJacob Collins-LevyBased on the Philippa Gregory book of the same name, the story of Elizabeth of York, the White Queen's daughter, and her marriage to the Lancaster victor, Henry VII.1485 - 1501 CE. Daughter of Edward IV of York and niece to Richard III of York. Married Henry VII Tudor and was mother to Henry VIII Tudor.
- CreatorMichael HirstStarsJonathan Rhys MeyersHenry CavillAnthony BrophyEpic series reveals the scandalous life of a young king whose affairs and obsession with producing a male heir changed marriage, the church, and the world.1514 - 1547 CE.
Second Tudor, Henry VIII. Begins with the Field of the Cloth of Gold and the Treaty of Redon. Ends with Henry VIII on his deathbed. - DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsPaul ScofieldWendy HillerRobert ShawThe story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.~1527 to 1535 CE.
Second Tudor, Henry VIII.
What we learned from the movie... Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield), scholar, lawyer, politician, family man and man of conscience, is highly regarded by Henry VIII (Robert Shaw), who considers himself a scholar and man of conscience too - even when he's boffing bit-on-the-side Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave) and attempting to divorce his wife. When More refuses to assist the King in attaining a divorce, or in declaring himself Head of the Church of England and breaking with Rome, the two come into conflict and More loses his head. Literally.
What really happened... Well, this one's pretty much spot-on in terms of the historical record. The only question, really, is what we actually think of Thomas More. Lately there's been something of a backlash against him, with More portrayed as a sadomasochistic religious fantatic in the likes of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall. Frankly, Empire's inclined to dismiss such revisionism as unfair: More's writings portray a man who was hardly unthinking in his acceptance of the Catholic faith, and virtually every contemporary account agrees that he was a decent bloke. He did wear a hair shirt, though, so he did have something of a thing for self-punishment - but to each his own, eh?
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/ - DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsNatalie PortmanScarlett JohanssonEric BanaTwo sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.Second Tudor, Henry VIII.
- DirectorCharles JarrottStarsRichard BurtonGeneviève BujoldIrene PapasKing Henry VIII of England discards one wife, Catharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of the young and beautiful Anne Boleyn.Second Tudor, Henry VIII.
- StarsGlenda JacksonRonald HinesRobert HardyWhen Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisers know she has to marry. Doesn't she? Thus starts a decades-long political/matrimonial game, during an age of high passions and high achievement.Fifth Tudor, Elizabeth I.
- StarsHelen MirrenToby JonesHugh DancyMini-series about the the public and private lives of the later years of Queen Elizabeth I.Fifth Tudor, Elizabeth I.
- DirectorShekhar KapurStarsCate BlanchettLiz GilesRod CulbertsonThe early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.~1558 to ~1560 CE.
Fourth Tudor, Mary I, and fifth Tudor, Elizabeth I.
What we learned from the movie... Following the death of her less attractive, borderline crazy sister Mary (Kathy Burke), lovely lovely Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) ascends to the English throne, following a lifetime of persecution and dancing on the border of imprisonment. After some early missteps, and a doomed love affair with Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes), Elizabeth reinvents herself as the tough-as-nails Virgin Queen, who has the heart and stomach of a King of England. Just not the other bits.
What really happened... While the broad outline of this plot's all fair enough, the detail is all over the place. Many of the characters' ages are wrong, notably William Cecil (who Elizabeth did not retire) and Kat Ashley (Emily Mortimer), while Dudley didn't betray Elizabeth - they were, like, BFFs for life. On the other hand, there's no actual evidence that they were at it in the first place. We might be presuming too modern a lifestyle on the Virgin Queen when we suggest that she was anything but a virgin. Then again, they may've been at it like rabbits. That's the joy of history: nobody really knows, so you can argue about it all day.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/ - CreatorLaurie McCarthyStephanie SenguptaStarsAdelaide KaneMegan FollowsCelina SindenMary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.1557 - 1565 CE.
- DirectorCharles JarrottStarsVanessa RedgraveGlenda JacksonPatrick McGoohanDuring the sixteenth century, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots engages in over two decades of religious and political conflict with her cousin, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England, amidst political intrigue in her native land.~1560 CE.
- DirectorShekhar KapurStarsCate BlanchettClive OwenGeoffrey RushA mature Queen Elizabeth endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada, and romantic disappointments.1585 to 1588 CE.
Fifth Tudor, reign of Elizabeth I.
What we learned from the movie... Good Queen Elizabeth (still Cate Blanchett) is beset by enemies at home and abroad. Domestically, the Babington plot is trying to assassinate her and place Mary Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) on the throne; abroad, Philip of Spain (Jordi Molla) is stroking his moustache, plotting against her and planning a Spanish Armada to conquer England. Elizabeth herself is distracted by a bad crush on Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who's hubba-hubbaed his way back from the New World and into the knickers of Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting Bess (Abbie Cornish). Still, she's tough, so she manages to pull it all together, have a word with the Almighty and get some bad weather for the Spanish fleet, and generally emerge triumphant. Girl power!
What really happened... The real timeline is all over the place here: Raleigh and Bess Throckmorton's secret marriage occurred several years after the Armada - and Raleigh wasn't even at that battle, which was led by Robert Dudley (yes, Joseph Fiennes from the previous film) and whose most famous participant was Sir Francis "let's have a quick game of boules" Drake.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/complete-english-history-in-movies/