I have been trying to find some material (DVD wise) on the Henry II era. I just realised that there was a remake of "Lion in Winter" with Patrick Stewaart (2003). But I have been unable to locate this in the UK in stores or even on Amazon. (found it in Australia recently). Does anyone have any suggestions or alternative movie ideas? (actually any recent movies set in/ about the dark ages would be good??).
Thanks for your suggestion, have read almost every book to date on Eleanor, was wondeirng if there was anything more direct to Henry. I always find he is a bit hard done by, Eleanor always seems to get the limelight.
Also sorry, I used dark ages a bit loosely, their era is just on the cusp though. My train of thought was actually that I would be more interested in additional suggestions pertaining to earlier rather than later (i.e. before Henry II, as opposed to after).
There is a good biography of Henry- but all my books are on the floor because the decorators are coming tomorow. It is quite readable tho' I haven't referred to it for some time.
I do remember reading somewhere that the fiction write Alfred Duggan portrayed the era very well in his book on Becket and of course that old fashioned non PC historian Arthur Bryant did also portray it very well -and wrote rather good English. He is easy to find in 2nd hand shops
As far as I can find, the Patrick Stewart version was made for TV and is only available in NTSC Region 1 DVD format which isn't compatible with many UK DVD players. It is available on Amazon or Play.com in this format but unless you've got a multi-regional DVD player that's not much help!
Ann - is it the Richard Barber biography you're thinking of?
Thank you Jenni, I thought it was Barber but wasn't too sure as it is ages since I last used it and it is buried under the dust sheets.
There is also an old book by 'Coulson'? -that too is under the dust sheets, which gives a great look at medieval life which a history professor told me was 'very sound'!I still think Bryant is florid, romantic but atmospheric -or maybe because I first read him when I was 12 years old and kept the memory.
..and there was a film on Becket wasn't there? I'm sure I've seen one somewhere but perhaps it was on TV - trouble with getting old -you might have been there and done that but can't remember where and when!!
Actually Jamey, I aree with you I think Henry 2 was under the circs a good guy and Eleanor a bit of bitch after all her first husband was glad to get rid of her and she encouraged Henry's children to rebel. Perhaps she shouldn't have been shut up but it stopped her making trouble. No wonder he turned to Fair Rosamund, wanted a bit of relaxation after ruling such a mob all day not nagging.
Still its very modern isn't it -young man marries sexy older woman, lots of power and money. Sex loses its urgency, she's bored and used to her own way, he fancies younger more compliant and appealing women to a feisty older one, she gets miffed and gets her own back - transfer it to city boardrooms -or even politics
what goes around comes around!
Henry 1 is quite fascinating, a canny kid, pity he was greedy for lampreys.
Agreed, the exploits of our four Norman rulers was every bit as fascinating as the exploits of the Tudors, who have gained much more attention in recent years, what with various TV dramas and movies (with more to come! Cate Blanchett has just filmed a sequel to Elizabeth, called The Golden Years. For obvious reasons, they couldn't call it Elizabeth II).
Time to redress the historical balance, since most people's knowledge of the Normans begins and ends at Hastings. So much scope for good historical drama being ignored, while the media execs bash out show after show about the Virgin (ha!) Queen.
'Sir' Mark -Cor Et Manus- 'I want the last cheque I write to bounce' - Carl Reiner, 'Oceans 12'
Originally posted by Caratacus: Agreed, the exploits of our four Norman rulers was every bit as fascinating as the exploits of the Tudors, who have gained much more attention in recent years, what with various TV dramas and movies (with more to come! Cate Blanchett has just filmed a sequel to Elizabeth, called The Golden Years. For obvious reasons, they couldn't call it Elizabeth II).
Time to redress the historical balance, since most people's knowledge of the Normans begins and ends at Hastings. So much scope for good historical drama being ignored, while the media execs bash out show after show about the Virgin (ha!) Queen.
I couldnt agree with you more!!! I have often thoguht how many other interesting periods in history that 'hollywood' or BBC could make really good dramas out of (apart from Elizabeth, Victoria or the Roman stuff). The Henry II dynasty is just one which would make a fantastic blockbuster movie (if they did it well).
In fact, I have just finsihed reading the most fantastic book on the Peleponnesian Wars, and that would make rivetting entertaining as well.
Also, I thought that Henry, being an Anjevin was practically a Norman anyway. Wasn't Anjou just across to river or so?
He was Norman through his mother, Saxon through his grandmother and through his father reputedly diabolic!
Re films I have often thought that the Tales of the Raj could put some cowboy films well in the shade, King Harold would make a stirring action film (without Mel Gibson fictions) and Queen Emma a very feisty heroine -married off to a King, coerced into marrying another much younger after number one's death, one son murdered, the youngest King for a very short while and the second son locking her up in Winchester.
Always had a sneaky admiration for her (but not for Eleanor)
Probably because from a small child I was frequently taken to Winchester Cathedral where she is buried along with the other Saxons and Canute -well was buried - Cromwell's men ousted them out of their graves so who knows what bones are in the mortuary chests now. Of course Emma was a Norman -so a link in the chain?
Originally posted by Anne B: Mark - S'cuse me, but I think you'll find that Henry II was a Plantagenet not a Norman.....
I was replying to Anne's comment about Henry I. Admittedly, it would have made more sense if Hopski hadn't wedged himself between us while I was writing the post!
'Sir' Mark -Cor Et Manus- 'I want the last cheque I write to bounce' - Carl Reiner, 'Oceans 12'
Originally posted by Anne B: Mark - S'cuse me, but I think you'll find that Henry II was a Plantagenet not a Norman.....
I was replying to Anne's comment about Henry I. Admittedly, it would have made more sense if Hopski hadn't wedged himself between us while I was writing the post!
S'all right - I was only teasing... What happened to the doggerel you did on the old NF forum? That used to make me giggle no end!
'The Lion in Winter' (1968) with Peter O'Toole and the great Katherine Hepburn has to be my favourite. It's one of the best historical films I can remember seeing.
I just can't begin to imagine Jean Luc-Picard in the role, and - yes, I know he's reckoned to be a Shakespearean actor - but I can't help but remember him being assimilated by The Borg....
on VHS via Amazon USA - not available on DVD.
