The Other Boleyn Girl [Blu-ray]

Do you love history? Ever feel like you want to bang your head against the wall repeatedly? Then this is the movie for you!!! I know this is based on a book and maybe this was how Philippa Gregory thought history happened but she could have easily picked up any history book from this time period to find out what actually happened based on many different scholars. While we don't really know the interpersonal relationship between the two sisters, most historians agree Mary Boleyn was the elder sister. Based on Natalie Portman's character I have to assume Philippa really hated Anne Boleyn and wrote her book around that premise and Hollywood agreed it would make a great movie. Which I respectfully disagree, the pacing was fast and as far as characterization what I got from the movie was this; Mary was a sweetheart, King Henry hated Anne, Anne was a bit of a sociopath and a witch that starts with a B and apparently rape was thrown in there for some reason. I however do have one good thing to say about this movie....at least the dresses had Tudor bell sleeves! That's why I gave it two stars instead of one. If you like this movie great but it definitely isn't for me or anyone that loves this period and historical accuracy.Editing: To say I was looking through the other reviews and apparently it's based off a historical fiction book so I can give it some leeway, however I still feel the pacing was off, everything happened so quickly and unless you know history this movie would be very confusing.

I love this movie and watch it a least three time per year. Not exactly historically correct. However, it is a fun timepiece, and I love the costuming even though the peasants are color coordinated, which I hate. However, if you look past the flaws of the movies, I believe if you are a queen Elizabeth/Tudor fan, you will enjoy this if you can enjoy movies for their entertainment value. If you prefer complete historical accounting and perfect costuming, this film will not be for you. I liked it enough to purchase it. I love it for its entertainment value. Period.

Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) married King Henry the VIII (Eric Bana) and was later beheaded. This movie is a derivative of her famous tale and includes her sister Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) who was a mistress of the king. The story focuses upon how men and women attempted to manipulate each other to gain power.The first part of the movie is about how women were used as pawns by men of the ruling class. After the king took a fancy to Mary for instance, she’s brought to court, given a position with the expectation that she will become a mistress even though the king is already married. Her father (David Morrissey) and uncle (Mark Rylance) immediately begin coming up with plans about how she can get pregnant and they rise in standing as a result. Things turn with Anne who is just as much as a schemer as her family. As she tells her sister, love means nothing without power. She stands out in a man’s world.Everything revolves around lust, love, plots and betrayals which is what makes it interesting. Portman is by far the most interesting character. She’s like an anti-hero for her plotting but also how she plays men like a fiddle. Of course the message is that there is always a cost to power.C

An all-star cast weaves a sixteenth-century soap opera in this colorful attempt to breathe new life into a familiar story. Written by Peter Morgan and directed by Justin Chadwick, The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) was based on a novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory. Billed as a scandalous portrayal of King Henry VIII's courtship and eventual marriage to Anne Boleyn, this film seems quaint by today's standards. Its release was timed to capitalize on Showtime's The Tudors (2007-2010), but lacked that show's outstanding performances.The film opens in Tudor England during the reign of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) and his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance) learn the King is unhappy with his wife, Katherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent), who has not yet produced a male heir. They sense an opportunity to advance their social standing by installing one of Boleyn's daughters as the King's mistress. His daughter Mary (Scarlett Johansson) has already wed William Carey (Benedict Cumberbatch), so they turn to Anne (Natalie Portman).Over the objections of his wife, Elizabeth Boleyn (Kristin Scott Thomas), Thomas invites the King to his estate to introduce him to Anne. Things get complicated when the King is injured in a hunting accident and he falls in love with Mary when she tends to his injury. Mary becomes the King's mistress, and Anne is exiled to France for trying to marry an earl without the King's knowledge.Anne returns from France a transformed woman, and despite Mary giving birth to a baby boy, she sets her sights on winning the King's affection and becoming Queen. It's an all-too-familiar story, which ends in an all-too-familiar way. Unfortunately, the filmmakers chose to continue the story past its logical conclusion, when Anne wins the rivalry with Mary for the King's affection.King Henry VIII ruled England from 1509 to 1547. He is known for severing the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, and for having six wives, two of whom he had executed. Mary Boleyn was the King's mistress for a time, and is rumored to have bore two of his illegitimate children. She was married twice, the second time to a common soldier, and died estranged from her family.Anne Boleyn became Queen of England in 1533, however, her failure to produce a male heir led to her execution for treason and other trumped-up charges three years later. Henry and Anne's daughter, Elizabeth, became one of England's most renowned queens, who reigned for over 44 years.The Other Boleyn Girl follows the general outline of history but changes many details. King Henry VIII met both Mary and Anne Boleyn at court, not at their father's estate. Henry had been present at Mary's wedding. Mary was not an innocent maiden when they met, having already had an affair with the King of France, among others in the French court. In contrast, Anne was well-educated, intelligent, gracious, and politically astute, a far cry from the brash and boorish depiction in this film. The Tudors also unfairly portrayed Anne this way.Compared with The Tudors, the acting in The Other Boleyn Girl leaves much to be desired. Natalie Dormer played a much more convincing seductress than Natalie Portman. She oozed sexuality, confidence, and energy. Jonathan Rhys Meyers' portrayal of King Henry VIII makes Eric Bana's seem flaccid by comparison. Of course, The Tudors had more time to develop their relationship and keep building the suspense. That's why The Other Boleyn Girl should have ended when Anne became queen and devoted more time to the rivalry with her sister.The Other Boleyn Girl is the kind of romantic costume drama that critics generally dislike but that appeals to a certain audience (the word "soap opera" comes to mind). It currently holds a 42% positive rating from critics and 62% audience favorability on RottenTomatoes. The film was commercially lukewarm as well, grossing $26.8 million on a $35 million budget. The filmmakers should have focused on what unique elements they brought to the story, rather than waste screen time rehashing what audiences have seen before.

Excellent acting by all in this movie. I took a long time to accept the storyline however because it tears apart the facts of what really happened. The actual history of these characters is fairly well known I think and some of the changes made by the film makers here defy logic. However, I am no purist and this is not a documentary. If you put aside your knowledge of history you will love this film as a work of fiction.

I did enjoy this film, but I can't say it was brilliant.Thought the storyline was interesting and I did feel sympathy for the characters portrayed. It wasn't a totally black and white film which was nice-- there was a bit of depth to it. The costumes and settings were beautiful. I liked Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn. I thought her accent was quite good. Kristin Scott Thomas was great(as always) as the mother. Eric Bana was Ok as King Henry VIII. His character actually had more depth than I was expecting. He does some terrible things but there are also some quite sweet moments between him and Mary. the weak link for me was Natalie Portman(using the same accent as in V for Vendetta) I didn't really sympathise with her character much at all and found her quite grating.The history was pretty innacurate. I'm not usually a stickler for this kind of thing but this is a well known story and facts should have been right!As a whole-- an Ok film... good entertainent value. Not a masterpiece!

All leads played their parts extremely well. Locations were ideal, and all in all a great production. Many years ago, I watched Anne of the 1000 Days, and this more modern production was a good match. Enjoyed every minute of it. An abject lesson in vaulting ambition in one family (the Boleyns) and the possible consequences.

Love this film, seen it a few times that's why I have brought the dvd,well worth watching 😁😁

A side view of many of Henry's affairs. Ann bolyn had a sister called Mary, the king did have an affair with her but as far as I know she did not bore a son by her. I think it was a lady blunt. Henry gave the boy the name Fitzroy.