Category: Wolf Hall

The Most Delightful Deleted Scene in Wolf Hall

source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

I told you earlier that I always assign actors to characters when I read. I don’t necessarily know why I do that, maybe to create some familiarity, but I do it. And, it’s not a secret that I dreamed of Damian Lewis as Henry VIII while I was reading Wolf Hall. Damian Lewis being cast as Henry was a dream coming true for me.

Anyhow, as I dreamed about Damian Lewis as Henry VIII, I had a few favorite scenes from the books that I really wanted to see in the mini-series. And most of them have made it to the series, but my MOST favorite scene that I talked about earlier here didn’t. I mean, I know every single scene cannot make it into the series, and my favorite scene is not really central to the story, but I was still disappointed a little.

But then… My partner-in-crime Bookworm gave me the good news! The Wolf Hall DVD had that particular scene as a “deleted scene.” Continue reading “The Most Delightful Deleted Scene in Wolf Hall”

Quicksilver of Devil’s Spit

Call her Elizabeth. Call off the jousts.

canceljoust
source: BBC

A shadow is cast over the land and over Henry as he proclaims that no celebration will be necessary for his newborn girl child. In addition to this disappointment, Thomas More has refused to budge an inch to acknowledge the King’s marriage as legal and his offspring as rightful heirs. More has resigned as Chancellor, handed over the Seal, so why is what he thinks still important? Because, as Cromwell is ready to tell us, More’s opinion is adding fuel to the fire of opinion against Henry throughout the realm and Europe. No one likes what the King has done in declaring himself the head of the church
in England. No one wants England to separate from Rome. More is just one man who is vocal and adamant. When discontent is already widespread, a kingdom only needs one vocal man to foment a rebellion. And a country girl nun who sees visions (albeit with dubious timelines) and who also won’t budge an inch.

Continue reading “Quicksilver of Devil’s Spit”

Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 4: The Devil’s Spit

"I keep you because you're a serpent. Don't be a viper in my bosom." 
-Henry VIII
source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

Have I told you that I’ve been reading Wolf Hall for a second time in parallel? It’s been great fun, and this is really some overdose that would never kill you, but instead nourish you 🙂 And, every time I see a new episode, I am just fascinated by Peter Straughan’s adaptation: The script is wonderfully condensed with most of the conversation coming directly from Hilary Mantel’s pen. What a feeling it is to hear some of the BEST lines I have ever read coming out of Mark Rylance or Damian Lewis’ mouth. Pure brilliance.

Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 4: The Devil’s Spit”

Henry VIII’s “Hard to Fill” Boots :)

source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

As I keep thinking and writing on Wolf Hall — I always keep coming back to… please don’t laugh…. Henry’s boots!

Look at them — they are FANCY and they are BIG!

source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

We talked earlier about the meticulous work the Wolf Hall team put into designing and building the costumes for the cast here and here, and Henry’s boots are no exception.  They look FANCY, and it turns out they really are! Lucy Worsley tells in her Daily Mail article that they are “thigh-high, square-toed black boots, custom-made on the Isle of Wight using traditional techniques.”  Continue reading “Henry VIII’s “Hard to Fill” Boots :)”

All about the Queen(s)

As Henry VIII was such a notoriously much married monarch, some of the talk about him, his politics, and his reign must focus on his Queen.

Archery2
source: BBC

Continue reading “All about the Queen(s)”