Historian Dr. Joanne Paul explains how A Man for All Seasons is one of the strongest onscreen depictions of the reign of Henry VIII and the Tudor period. Adapted from Robert Bolt’s 1954 play of the same name, the 1966 period piece movie explored the career of Lord Chancellor Robert More (Paul Schofield), as he was challenged by the crisis brought about by King Henry VIII’s (Robert Shaw) first divorce. The fifth-highest-grossing movie of 1966, A Man for All Seasons is acclaimed for its cast and production values, and celebrated as an influential example of filmmaking.
With YouTube channel History Hit turning its sights to Tudor England in their latest Historian Answers Google’s Most Popular Questions, Dr. Paul tackled the question of which movie represents the period best.
Praising A Man for All Seasons, Paul stated that the movie offered “the best representation” of Henry VIII ever put on screen. The historian also celebrated more recent features for their production design accuracy, sighting 2023’s Firebrand as being “visually accurate.”
The Tudor Dynasty Has Had A Grip On Hollywood
Many Productions Have Shone A Light On The Period
There is no shortage of Hollywood productions exploring the Tudor era beyond A Man for All Seasons, not only depicting the lives of Henry VIII, but figures both royal and not. Cate Blanchett earned acclaim for her portrayal of Elizabeth I in Elizabeth and its sequel, the short-lived 2024 series My Lady Jane explored the brief reign of the titular queen, and movies such as Shakespeare in Love have explored the life of William Shakespeare. Even famed fictional worlds were inspired by the period.
Though it is set in a world with dragons and undead forces, Game of Thrones‘ Westeros and its world-changing battles between ruling families were inspired by the War of the Roses, the conflict that ushered in the Tudor family’s position on the throne of England. From historical figures inspiring certain key players in Game of Thrones to plot beats paralleling notable events, George R.R. Martin’s real-world inspirations are clear. While it may not have A Man for All Seasons‘ accuracy, the connections are noticeable.
The Tudor era is one of the most widely-known periods of English history, with its notable role in reshaping religion, its artistic contributions, and the key figures behind it. As such, it is unsurprising to see how many productions have explored the period. However, with Paul specifically celebrating A Man for All Seasons‘ on-screen exploration, those interested in the era might want to start there when checking out its various stories.
Source: History Hit
