The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(1,181 ratings)

Charles Laughton became an international star by chewing both mutton and scenes in his Oscar-winning turn as King Henry VIII. Alexander Korda's British super-production also put the British cinema on the map, which, until this film, received precious little respect in the international film… More Charles Laughton became an international star by chewing both mutton and scenes in his Oscar-winning turn as King Henry VIII. Alexander Korda's British super-production also put the British cinema on the map, which, until this film, received precious little respect in the international film community. The film, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, details the private life of the famous British monarch. His first wife, Catherine of Aragon, is barely mentioned -- explained away by a prologue which states that she was "too respectable to be included." Henry then marries Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon) but she is soon beheaded. His next wife, Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie), dies during childbirth. His next wife is Anne of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester, in a prelude to her Bride of Frankenstein role), whom Henry reluctantly beds with his famous sigh, "The things I've done for England." They divorce and Henry next marries Katherine Howard (Binnie Barnes), who also finds herself beheaded when she has an affair with Henry's friend, Thomas Culpepper (Robert Donat). Finally, Henry is brought down to size with his final wife, Catherine Parr (Everley Gregg). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Alexander Korda
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 21, 1933 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Charles Laughton, who wa sonly 33 but looked older, won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the titular role with such bravado.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
The film's most famous bit involves Laughton eating a chicken with a primal gusto that clearly defines King Henry's character as a gluttonous man devouring whatever is put before him.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Korda and his humorists make sure the usual biopic solemnity is not part of this royal court
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... an illusion of grand production values and produced and released... with a mix of high culture and popular showmanship.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Laughton's definitive performance is reason to see this elaborate costume drama.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Sometimes stiff but fascinating biopic
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It ain't history, but it's hugely entertaining.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Educational and hilarious. The quintessential Laughton role!
Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide
Charles Laughton's great performance elevates this sometimes stuffy period piece.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Veronique K

"private life of henry viii" is the academy award winner for best actor for non-american actor, charles laughton, in a non-american movie, helmed by british epic piece director alexander korda. it also has the young fresh-faced robert donat (alfred hitchcock's 39 steps… More
"private life of henry viii" is the academy award winner for best actor for non-american actor, charles laughton, in a non-american movie, helmed by british epic piece director alexander korda. it also has the young fresh-faced robert donat (alfred hitchcock's 39 steps star) who transcends a smoldering stroke of romanticism as the doomed lover of the queen. inevitably this flick centers upon henry viii, the lecherously obese man who constantly seeks a potential light of happiness even at cost of decapitating two women and recklessly raging notoriety, but the flick is keen to maintain a delightful tone to emphasize henry's naughty whims instead of his egoistic brutality, brightened by laughton's jolly likability. the story skips the first wife of henry viii, the stingy square katherine, and the scene catapults the beheading of anne boleyn (mother of queen elizabeth) on the king's wedding night...it shows the fickle nature of this man who eliminates any emulating spouse of his, and he even rejoices "if you want to be happy, marry a stupid beautiful woman like my new wife" like a little boy who exults at getting a new toy while he's disposing of his old obsolete one. it has two scenes during two executions which bare the cynical reaction of the mass as well as the dialogues in the kitchen. the king's indignantly motivated to get married for two of the 6 times just by the barber's careless criticism, and his infamous one-night marriage with the german princess(elsa lancaster) who purposedly infuriates him by cheating in the poker games. it depicts henry viii more in a mischieviously boyish perspect, and he truly sheds the tear of genuine sorrow for his fifth wife, katherine howard, who commits adultery with his confidante thomas culperer(robert donat). eventually henry settles with a homely wife who conducts himself to the smallest detail of food, but he remarks "the best's also the worst" to the last marriage of his life. "the private life of henry viii" sneers at the man with a forgiving generosity, mocking at his easily influenced temperament as well as his naivety to the prospect of love. charles laughton's charisma is crucial to the success of it since only laughton could dub this polygamic king a redeeming sense of clever wits.
Byron B

The time period is illustrated well. Most people think, like I used to, that all these old B&W dramas are dusty and ancient, so far removed from movies of today. There has been a shift, but especially with these award winning movies I think the thoughtful person would still be… More
The time period is illustrated well. Most people think, like I used to, that all these old B&W dramas are dusty and ancient, so far removed from movies of today. There has been a shift, but especially with these award winning movies I think the thoughtful person would still be entertained. Drama is mixed with comedy, suspense, romance, despair, and hope for a well-rounded experience. This movie has a good dose of humor in portraying the life of Henry the 8th.
Matthew Y

Charles Laughton became a star for his phenomenal Oscar winning performance as the infamous King. The film was a great treat for me because when we learned about King Henry VIII in school and all the wives he had killed I always wondered what the heck was going on. It's… More
Charles Laughton became a star for his phenomenal Oscar winning performance as the infamous King. The film was a great treat for me because when we learned about King Henry VIII in school and all the wives he had killed I always wondered what the heck was going on. It's impossible to know how accurate the film is but it does give an idea about King Henry's reasons and motivations behind his many marriages. Excellent film that should be more known than it is.
Chris B

A stunning portrayal of Henry VIII is given by Charles Laughton who won an Oscar for his role, is the center of The Private Life of Henry VIII. The film is a tongue in cheek display of the private life of the British King and being so, is often very humorous and yet still quite… More
A stunning portrayal of Henry VIII is given by Charles Laughton who won an Oscar for his role, is the center of The Private Life of Henry VIII. The film is a tongue in cheek display of the private life of the British King and being so, is often very humorous and yet still quite serious as people lose their lives fairly often. Once we are introduced to King Henry VIII we are told of his first wife who isn't seen because she was "too respectable to be included", and then we dive into his second marriage or I should say the end of his second marriage. We then proceed through the other of his six wives and the resulting impact each has, not just on the King himself but the whole of the court and the country. This is a very captivating film that is simple yet effective and really established Charles Laughton's international stardom and jump started his prolific career. A wonderful British piece!