Anne of the Thousand Days (1970) Charles Jarrot It takes a remarkable woman to stand up to a king, and Anne Boleyn was undoubtedly the most remarkable of all such women. The passionate, stormy, and ultimately tragic marriage of Anne Boleyn to Henry VIII is depicted in this exquisite film, based on the play by Bridget Boland, and directed by Charles Jarrott (Mary, Queen of Scots).   The story opens as Henry VIII, grown weary of his barren wife Catherine of Aragon, eyes Anne from afar and determines to make her his bride. Henry overcomes many obstacles to achieve this end, including the disapproval of Sir Thomas More and the refusal of the Pope to grant a divorce. However, no adversary proves as intractable as Anne herself, who greets the king's advances with outright scorn and disdain. Henry VIII was certainly the most vile of all English monarchs, and Richard Burton unashamedly plays Henry as the vain, gluttonous rake that he was. But despite his unseemly exterior, the king eventually reaches Anne's heart, and, in time, she returns his love. Henry's ogreish manner is not quelled by domestic bliss, however. The king blames Anne for the birth of an unwanted daughter (Elizabeth) and a succession of stillborn sons, and soon begins to sour on his queen. As Anne, Genevieve Bujold is utterly arresting, her performance one of fire and passion. Anne is not fearful and compliant like so many others who surround the king. But her assertion ultimately cannot save her from Henry's desire to be rid of her. Unable to divorce Anne like he did Catherine, Henry simply has her beheaded. The supporting cast is no less outstanding, featuring Irene Papas as Catherine, Anthony Quayle as Cardinal Wolsey, and John Colicos as the treacherous and manipulative Lord Cromwell, who connives to secure Henry's divorce. Georges Delerue's passionate score is another outstanding element, adroitly blending romantic and renaissance styles and instruments. The film also makes an interesting companion piece to A Man For All Seasons (which covers many of the same events, but from the perspective of Thomas More and Lord Cromwell). Tragic and passionate, Anne of the Thousand Days is a magnificent story of a remarkable woman, as well as a powerful depiction of the often tragic (and sometimes deadly) game of royal matchmaking. —Paul Andrew MacLean

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