Is Henry VIII and His Six Wives Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Henry VIII and His Six Wives is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 125 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1972, Henry VIII and His Six Wives emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, History domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Adapted from the BBC2 serial The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Unlike standard genre fare, Henry VIII and His Six Wives attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Henry VIII and His Six Wives features a noteworthy lineup led by Keith Michell . Supported by the likes of Donald Pleasence and Charlotte Rampling , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a Drama, History film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Henry VIII and His Six Wives attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Henry VIII and His Six Wives reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Henry VIII and His Six Wives draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Henry VIII and His Six Wives adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Henry VIII and His Six Wives?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Henry VIII and His Six Wives
- Keith Michell – Henry VIII
- Donald Pleasence – Thomas Cromwell
- Charlotte Rampling – Anne Boleyn
- Jane Asher – Jane Seymour
- Brian Blessed – Suffolk
Top Highlights
Keith MichellHenry VIII
Donald PleasenceThomas Cromwell
Charlotte RamplingAnne Boleyn
Jane AsherJane Seymour
Brian BlessedSuffolk
Michael GoughNorfolk
Barbara Leigh-HuntCatherine Parr
Jenny BosAnne of Cleves
Lynne FrederickCatherine Howard
Frances CukaKatherine of Aragon
Where to Watch Henry VIII and His Six Wives Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoGoogle Play MoviesParents Guide & Age Rating
Henry VIII and His Six Wives has not been officially rated yet.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, Henry VIII and His Six Wives stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1972 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Henry VIII and His Six Wives movie hit or flop?
Henry VIII and His Six Wives has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Henry VIII and His Six Wives worth watching?
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, History movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Henry VIII and His Six Wives online?
Henry VIII and His Six Wives may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for Henry VIII and His Six Wives
Based on the BBC drama series (and exec produced by a man who went on to run their drama department for a while) this is a good effort at recounting in two hours the lives and loves of Henry VIII over almost 40 years. Donald Pleasance is noteworthy as the odiously ambitious Thomas Cromwell and Charlotte Rampling as the even more ambitious Anne Boleyn. Keith Michell is an old hand at playing this part by now - his 4th time of asking; and he does it stylishly. The script is of it's time, and so a bit long-winded but otherwise this has held up well. Quite a bit is filmed outdoors and/or on location and so it has less of the sterile look of the television series; I expect the costumes are the same, though....
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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