[PBS/BBC] Wolf Hall

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:12 am

Holman lauded the book two years ago, and now there's finally a tv adaptation.

Wolf Hall is the story of Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer during the time of Henry the VIII, who rose through the court to become a man of no small power.

If you like House of Cards and other shows about political intrigue and the machinations of ambitious men and women, this show is a must see. But the real reason to watch will become very apparent after the first episode: Mark Rylance.

Rylance plays Cromwell, and within the first hour of his appearance, he became my hands down pick for best damn performance I've seen in the last few years. His hang dog expression and laconic delivery hides a man who knows all too well the intricacies of the world he lives in, how to use those intricacies to his advantage...all while hating the fact that he has to do so.

What I found even more surprising is that he's a master of deadpan delivery with a comic timing that makes even the most rudimentary comedic phrase hilarious. I love it when he destroys someone with a simple phrase or word that oftentimes leaves his target wondering what just happened. While Wolf Hall is far from a comedy, it does have its lighter moments...mostly due to Rylance.

Damian Lewis, of Homeland fame, plays King Henry the VIII, and his performance washes away most of the bad taste of Homeland. He's a damn fine actor...when he has good material to work with.

Anyway, you can grab it off Amazon starting tomorrow in a DVD set, or get it in HD on Amazon VOD or iTunes. I highly recommend it!

And remember to use the OO link if you go with Amazon!

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:30 am

The wife loves it and is trying to get me to watch. I haven't been able to bring myself to sit down to watch since I've read and watched so much about Henry VIII that I feel I'd be completely spoiled. Not that I mind being spoiled too much usually but in a series where drama is the main draw, knowing what happens to every single character is a bit of a problem.

OTOH, the wife knows even more about H8 than I do (and has read Wolf Hall, which I haven't) and is enjoying it. I'll probably try to catch up so we can watch together but it's a daunting task.

Kind of like how I have given up on ever watching Game of Thrones.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:34 am

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm really happy to hear that it's so good!

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:38 am

LawBeefaroni wrote:Not that I mind being spoiled too much usually but in a series where drama is the main draw, knowing what happens to every single character is a bit of a problem.

The court of Henry VIII has been featured in a LOT of shows (Showtime's The Tudors being the biggest one in recent memory), but they each seem to have a different take in some ways. Ways that are sometimes subtle, and sometimes not so subtle.

For example, in Wolf Hall, Cardinal Wolsey is a decent enough chap. He inspires in Cromwell a loyalty that is endearing. In The Tudors, Wolsey was a villain. I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in between the two, but it makes for a fun diversion to see the two takes on the man.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:09 am

hepcat wrote:
For example, in Wolf Hall, Cardinal Wolsey is a decent enough chap. He inspires in Cromwell a loyalty that is endearing.

From what I remember, Wolsey and Cromwell were both of low birth. My impression is that there was mutual admiration and common bond between them because of it. It also aided their rise and survivability, however finite, that neither they nor any relatives of theirs were seen as a direct threat to the throne.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:29 am

hepcat wrote:Holman lauded the book two years ago, and now there's finally a tv adaptation.

Wolf Hall is the story of Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer during the time of Henry the VIII, who rose through the court to become a man of no small power.

If you like House of Cards and other shows about political intrigue and the machinations of ambitious men and women, this show is a must see. But the real reason to watch will become very apparent after the first episode: Mark Rylance.

Rylance plays Cromwell, and within the first hour of his appearance, he became my hands down pick for best damn performance I've seen in the last few years. His hang dog expression and laconic delivery hides a man who knows all too well the intricacies of the world he lives in, how to use those intricacies to his advantage...all while hating the fact that he has to do so.

What I found even more surprising is that he's a master of deadpan delivery with a comic timing that makes even the most rudimentary comedic phrase hilarious. I love it when he destroys someone with a simple phrase or word that oftentimes leaves his target wondering what just happened. While Wolf Hall is far from a comedy, it does have its lighter moments...mostly due to Rylance.

Damian Lewis, of Homeland fame, plays King Henry the VIII, and his performance washes away most of the bad taste of Homeland. He's a damn fine actor...when he has good material to work with.

Anyway, you can grab it off Amazon starting tomorrow in a DVD set, or get it in HD on Amazon VOD or iTunes. I highly recommend it!

And remember to use the OO link if you go with Amazon!

I missed grabbing it on my DVR when it was playing on PBS. Is it free for prime members or purchase only? If only for purchase I'll just bide my time since these sort of shows end up on Netflix (and Amazon Prime) eventually. Wanted to see this for Damian Lewis who've I liked as an actor since Life and Band of Brothers.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:51 am

I just streamed them to my tv from the PBS website. No charge.

p.s. Looks like the pilot expires on May 3rd from the site, with each successive episode expiring the week after. So it's free for a limited time only.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:35 pm

Has Thomas More appeared yet? His is one of the most interesting portraits in the book. Mantel really turns the hagiography in A Man for All Seasons on its head.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:42 pm

He has. And at least two Catholic bishops are already pretty pissed off about his portrayal.

Archinerd · Post by **Archinerd** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:12 pm

Agree, Rylance is hilarious.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:24 pm

I laughed out loud at

Spoiler:

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:49 pm

I've started watching and am hooked. Rylance is amazing: he completely nails the part and completely inhabits the atmosphere.

I love the pacing and the tone of this adaptation. It's quiet and measured and tense and riveting.

Drazzil · Post by **Drazzil** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:22 am

I gave up on it like 3 episodes in. I found it very dry but also historically engaging.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:24 am

No gunfights or martial arts makes it a hard sell for American audiences.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Fri May 01, 2015 12:48 pm

"Come for the beheadings, stay for the nuanced portrait of a brilliant survivor navigating the whims and wishes of his callous betters."

Jag · Post by **Jag** » Fri May 01, 2015 2:00 pm

This has been sitting in my Goodreads "to read" queue for awhile now.

Drazzil · Post by **Drazzil** » Fri May 01, 2015 2:35 pm

hepcat wrote:No gunfights or martial arts makes it a hard sell for American audiences.

lol @ hep

Drazzil · Post by **Drazzil** » Fri May 01, 2015 2:40 pm

hepcat wrote:I laughed out loud at

Spoiler:
The scene in his home when he's discussing his sister in law's husband with her, and it turns suddenly to an admission on her part that their sex life isn't good. She promptly leaves the room, he sits there for a few seconds in awkward silence, then simply says, "That's a discussion I wish hadn't happened.". The way he said it, with that monotone delivery, was fantastic.

Yeah that was funny.

mori · Post by **mori** » Sat May 02, 2015 7:45 pm

It is available on Netflix via disc with no wait.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun May 03, 2015 7:14 am

My God, people still use these...what did you call them...discs?

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Thu May 07, 2015 4:01 pm

I just finished the series. Really impressive throughout. I hope they continue as Mantel completes the trilogy.

Man, that headsman was total pro.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Thu May 07, 2015 4:09 pm

That was the first time I think I've ever seen the social science behind a beheading. They must have only afforded royalty that amount of courtesy during an execution.

DOS=HIGH · Post by **DOS=HIGH** » Thu May 07, 2015 8:57 pm

hepcat wrote:That was the first time I think I've ever seen the social science behind a beheading. They must have only afforded royalty that amount of courtesy during an execution.

Tell that to Mary Queen of Scots, took a few chops to get her head off. From what I've read that's not exactly how Anne Boleyn was beheaded, but something similar as to keep her from realizing the swing was imminent. I enjoyed the series and look forward to the next after being disappointed in 'The Tudors' series.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Thu May 07, 2015 9:23 pm

DOS=HIGH wrote:
hepcat wrote:That was the first time I think I've ever seen the social science behind a beheading. They must have only afforded royalty that amount of courtesy during an execution.
Tell that to Mary Queen of Scots, took a few chops to get her head off. From what I've read that's not exactly how Anne Boleyn was beheaded, but something similar as to keep her from realizing the swing was imminent. I enjoyed the series and look forward to the next after being disappointed in 'The Tudors' series.

The old story is that (at Anne B's beheading) the executioner called out "Boy, fetch my sword" just before the swing. Apparently this was intended to prevent her from expecting the blow.

In the TV show,

Spoiler:

I think we may see this executioner again.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:41 am

Thanks for the recommendation. I just finished the series and enjoyed it. Made me spend more time on Wikipedia reading various articles on the main characters.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:05 pm

Mark Rylance on Wolf Hall, Cromwell and his debt to Brad Pitt

A cool interview.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:45 pm

Rylance is just so damn laid back. Normally, you'd assume that would be a detriment to an actor's ability to convey emotion, but he's able to use it to his advantage in Wolf Hall.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 11:04 am

This is now available on Prime and I'm 3 episodes in. The acting in this series is phenomenal and I love Rylance. He tells so much just with his eyes. It's hard to describe, but his delivery is one of the best I've ever seen.

It's interesting to see the different takes on Wolsley and More. I had only seen them in A Man for All Seasons, which is also fantastic.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 11:09 am

I finished the series this weekend. Wow, what a powerful ending.

Spoiler:

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 12:44 pm

I really wish they'd announce a second season. But I believe they're still talks. Plus, I've read that a second season would be based on the unfinished third book in the trilogy.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:49 pm

Almost a year after wondering about this series in this thread I'm finally powering through it on Amazon Prime. Oh beware the man who makes soft-sounding threats as if discussing the weather. And the scenes between Mary Boylen and Cromwell are hot and set my heart a flutter.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:08 pm

Rylance's recent Oscar win probably isn't helping the scheduling of a season 2, unfortunately. I've read a few reports that we shouldn't expect anything before 2018.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:14 pm

I'd love to see a Season 2. That would be amazing.

I'm reading Martell's A Place of Greater Safety. So far it hasn't grabbed me like Wolf Hall did. Granted, I only watched the mini series.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Apr 03, 2024 10:16 am

Arise!

Almost 10 years later, we're getting the final novel in the Wolf Hall trilogy, The Mirror and the Light. Filming has just wrapped, so it shouldn't be long before this trots itself out onto PBS.

Looks like most of our favorites are back....including Mark Rylance's fantastic Thomas Cromwell.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Apr 03, 2024 4:31 pm

(I am most pleased by this news!)

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Apr 03, 2024 5:52 pm

Such good news!

And this will be one of those rare cases where the actors having aged a bit will be appropriate.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Apr 03, 2024 6:38 pm

Rylance is like Patrick Stewart. I think he's always looked middle aged.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:54 am

Damian Lewis is in this?
In.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:26 am

I had no idea Lewis was actually English for years. Also, I want to point out that he was married to the insanely talented Helen McCrory (Aunt Polly on Peaky Blinders) until her tragic death a few years ago. Talk about an acting family.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:28 am

That is awesome news.