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Tudors (The): The Complete First Season (TV)
R1 - America - Paramount Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (23rd January 2008). |
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The Show
 England's King Henry VIII was an impressive figure, he became King at the age of 19 when his older brother died making him the heir to the throne, throughout his reign he left an impressionable mark on the people of England with the formation of The Church of England and the union of England and Wales among other things. He was married six times, was considered to be charismatic, intelligent, active and wielded formidable power. These among many other attributes certainly make this historical figure an ideal candidate for dramatic presentation. The series "The Tudors" chronicles the King's early years in power and those people around him who wish to seek greater power. The King (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has all manner of problems, war is a threat with France and Spain as he switches allegiances to protect the Pope, his Cardinal, Wolsey (Sam Neill) a trusted friend for many years uses his influence to gain votes so he may become the next Pope, Lords in his court try to manipulate their friendship with the King in order to better their wealth and title especially Lord Boleyn (Nick Dunning) who uses his Daughters, Mary (Perdita Weeks) and especially Anne (Natalie Dormer) to capture the King's heart. There's plenty of intrigue to keep the most avid Soap Opera viewer glued, after all "The Tudors" appears like a well budgeted Soap Opera featuring two-faced characters, sex and personal gratification and it's not hard to see why the series debuted as the highest rated show on Showtime in three years. Combined with a fine cast of young up and coming talent and established veterans the series shoves aside history for drama. Having seen the advertising for the series it seems to have been sold on telling the 'real story', teasing the viewer that perhaps we're in store for an accurate telling of the King's reign and his relationships, but from what I can tell there's a lot of creative license used. Some viewers have taken this to heart, which is fair enough since the show was billed as such. But what a lot of people are missing is that in order to create a dramatic series, one must infuse 'drama', if the series creators followed the history to the 'T' I'm almost sure the series would be an over-long bore-fest. So, what we have here is a series that captures the essence of these characters and the times in which they lived and as it states in the show's opening narration "You think you know the story but you only know the end. To get to the heart of the story, you have to go to the beginning." The key here being the second part of this sentence, "to get to the heart of the story" that's just what the series creators have done. The series relies heavily on political intrigue, the manipulation of power to better one's station, lots of sex (not as much as HBO's "Rome" (2005-2007) which has a similar structure and tone) and the talk of war...lots of talk of war which tires without any actual images of war...its as if the series creators dangle an appetizing carrot in front of the viewers but instead of giving it to you to appease your appetite they simply dangle it longer and never deliver. This was one of only a few things that disappointed me, other minor quips would be that the wide shots of London and many castles appear to be created in CG, they painfully look fake and momentarily take you out of the era and a spot of over acting occasionally creeps up in scenes, despite these the series actually managed to garner my attention for the most part. Mainly I found myself intrigued by Jonathan Rhys Meyers' portrayal of the Monarch, his presence is truly felt as his icy stare pierces each shot. He's a striking performer and encapsulates the King's lustful spirit early in his life. Furthermore I was mesmerized by Sam Neill in what I can say is his finest work in years. He plays the power hungry Cardinal with great restraint and elegance. It's so nice to see an actor like him finally getting a meaty role that he deserves after years of mindless fodder like "Bicentennial Man" (1999), "Jurassic Park III" (2001) and "Wimbledon" (2004). The other cast all seem very 'hot' and feature some of the entertainment industry's finest up and coming talents, the women are gorgeous especially Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn and there's plenty of handsome men for the ladies to gawk at as well, the show seams to want to attract a young audience, but I fear that the series' plot will likely not interest many younger viewers, its mature scripting largely dependent on scenes of lengthy dialogue will better be appreciated by older audiences. One can't review a series such as "The Tudors" without mentioning the production design and costumes, both of which are impressive to say the least. The sets are grand and magnificent especially those of the King's court and the costumes appear elegant and incredibly detailed that adds a richness to this series. I liked "The Tudors" much more than I expected and I anticipate the second season, if you're a fan from the original broadcast then you might consider this release, if you missed it for whatever reason it's at least worth a rental. This set includes all 10 first season episodes: - Episode 1 (55:37) King Henry VIII, the young and ambitious monarch of England prepares for war with France but is dissuaded by the diplomatic manipulation of his powerful Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey, who proposes that the King sponsor a 'Treaty of Universal Peace.' The harmony of the King's domestic affairs is threatened, however, when he discovers that Elizabeth Blount, the young and beautiful lady-in-waiting to his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, is pregnant with his child. - Episode 2 (56:33) Allegiances shift at home and abroad. Despite extravagant claims of loyalty to France during the 'Field of Cloth of God' ceremonies, Henry contemplates an alliance with Charles V, King of Spain, who was recently named Holy Roman Emperor. Because he is dependent on the support of the French cardinals, Wolsey's chance to become Pope is threatened. A gift of Machiavelli's The Prince makes Henry wonder if it is better asking to be loved or feared. For now, he sets about achieving both. He executes the scheming Duke of Buckingham for treason and celebrates the birth : by Lady Elizabeth Blount : of a first healthy baby son, whom he names Henry Fitzroy. - Episode 3 (54:08) A new important ally sweeps into Henry's court in the form of Charles V, the most powerful man in Europe and nephew to Henry's wife, Katherine of Aragon. To protect the very significant alliance he hopes will aid in his bid for an English role in European affairs, the King is careful not to reveal to Charles the growing distance between himself and the Queen. However, affairs of the heart are more likely to unsettle Henry's resolve as he comes face-to-face for the first time with the beautiful Anne Boleyn. Unbeknownst to the King, he is being seduced by forces more calculating than any young woman. - Episode 4 (57:44) While Henry is named 'Defender of the Faith' by a Pope grateful for his spiritual and political loyalty, fidelity is scarce in Henry's court. His sister, Princess Margaret, marries the decrepit King of Portugal, only to murder him soon after and returns to the lustful arms of Charles Brandon. The Duke of Norfolk and Sir Thomas Boleyn continue to conspire against Cardinal Wolsey. And the King grows ever more enamored of Anne Boleyn. His increasing disinterest in his Queen, and the realization that he still hasn't produced a legitimate heir to the Tudor dynasty, conjure an urgent desire for radical action. - Episode 5 (54:49) Henry is a king of passion and perseverance. Effort at alliances : both personal and political : face setbacks, but the King remains undeterred. When his ally Emperor Charles V, releases Francis I, their mutual enemy from prison, he is stunned : but resolves to redirect his European ambitions. And when Anne Boleyn is insulted by his offer to make her his sole and unique mistress, it merely redoubles his passion and resolve to one day marry her. However, his separation from the most powerful political figure in Europe may prove easier to affect than an annulment from his wife. - Episode 6 (56:47) Personal and polticial allegiances continues to change in Henry's court. The King grows ever more confident in his role as monarch and more enamored of the young Anne Boleyn. Despite Cardinal Wolsey's influence and efforts : and much to the frustration of the King : the Catholic Church seems unable to make progress in Henry's petition for a divorce. This adds to the growing discomfort of the increasingly vulnerable Wolsey. - Episode 7 (56:08) Dark days for Tudor England. The mysterious sweating sickness, almost always fatal to those who catch it, runs rampant. A food shortage adds to the suffering. Henry's natural optimism and energy takes a beating as the King's confidence gives way to doubt and delusions. But after darkness comes light. The plague begins to disappear and the King received news that his mistress, Anne Boleyn has miraculously survived. Even better, an envoy of Pope Clement is on the way to England to finally convene a court which will decide on Henry's request for a divorce. - Episode 8 (55:11) Pope Clement's special envoy arrives in London to oversee the court deciding upon the legitimacy of Henry's marriage to Katherine of Aragon. The findings of the trail will have far-reaching consequences: the future of the King's amorous relationship with Anne Boleyn, Cardinal Wolsey's career and influence, and England's relationship with Rome all hand in the balance. - Episode 9 (50:20) Cardinal Wolsey's fall is quick and pitiless. Stripped of office and authority he is banished from the court and sent far from his much beloved King. His unlikely successor is Sir Thomas More, a man unlike the overbearing Wolsey in every way but one : his loyalty to Henry. - Episode 10 Season Finale (53:54) Cardinal Wolsey is down but not yet out. Although exiled, he tries to gather last-minute support from his old enemy, Queen Katherine. She hesitantly agrees to his plan, as she finds herself in a situation similar to that of the fallen Cardinal. But their plot is intercepted by the King's new advisors and Wolsey must pay the ultimate price.
Video
Presented in a widescreen ratio of 1.78:1 this anamorphic transfer seems to have been downgraded from the series' broadcast standard. The show is broadcast in 1080i on the Showtime network, usually DVD presentations of TV shows are a touch better than broadcast quality for "The Tudors" this is not the case. It's a shame this series was not given a high-definition presentation. Overall the image is soft, I was a little disappointed in many of the mid to wide shots appear flat. However, the close-ups hold detail well and appear sharp which is a minor plus, furthermore colors appear adequate. Black levels are bold but appear flat and definition is lacking especially amid the shadow detail. The best thing I can say about this decidedly average transfer is that it's clean and features no flaws such as edge-enhancement or moiré patterns.
Audio
Three audio tracks are included in English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. For the purposes of this review I chose to view the series with its English 5.1 track. While not as dynamic as a feature film of this era would be I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of the track, most TV series' are usually presented with an adequate 2.0 surround or stereo mix but this 5.1 track does the trick immersing the viewer. Dialogue is clear and distortion free, ambient sounds are used to fill the space and the show's score comes across effectively. While it's far from reference quality it's still a solid effort. Optional subtitles are included in English only.
Extras
Paramount has included three featurettes, three bonus episodes of other Showtime shows, a promotional spot, a series of biographies, a photo gallery, bonus trailers and DVD-ROM content. Below is a closer look at these supplements. All of these extras are featured on the fourth disc, no extras are included on any other disc in this set. First up we've got "Production Design" a short featurette that runs for 4 minutes 9 seconds and takes a look at the production design for the show including the King's Court set as well as locations around Ireland where the production make's its base. This slip leaves a lot to be desired considering its short length and appear self-congratulatory at times. Next we've for "Costume Design" another short featurette that runs for 5 minutes 22 seconds and its tone is much like the previous clip, as we get a quick look at the costumes for the series, specifically those for the King, the Queen and Anne Boleyn. The better of the three featurettes is "Tudors Historical Sites" which runs for 22 minutes 42 seconds and is a guided tour around key historical Tudor era locations around London. The tour takes us through the town of Greenwich, the Tower of London, Crosby Hall, Apothecaries' Hall and Hampton Court Palace. Here we get a closer look at these locations and get a neat history lesson as well. Also featured on this disc are a collection of three bonus episodes for other Showtime shows, they have nothing to do with "The Tudors" and this is a way to promote the other programming on the Network. Usually these promotional methods are cheap and unwanted but these episodes are actually quite good and worth a look at. However it would have been better to have included more extras for "The Tudors". The three episodes included here are: - "This American Life" which runs for 28 minutes 33 seconds. - "Californication" which runs for 33 minutes 10 seconds. - "Penn & Teller: Bullshit!" which runs for 26 minutes 33 seconds. Following that is a promo spot for "Win a Trip to Ireland" which advertises the promotion that gives viewers a chance to visit the country in the production calls its home. 10 biographies are included for cast members, they are for: - Jonathan Rhys Meyers, which features 9 text pages of information. - Sam Neill, which features 2 text pages of information. - Jeremy Northam, which features 1 text page of information. - Gabriel Anwar, which features 3 text pages of information. - Callum Blue, which features 2 text pages of information. - Henry Cavill, which features 2 text pages of information. - Henry Czerny, which features 5 text pages of information. - Natalie Dormer, which features 1 text page of information. - Maria Doyle Kennedy, which features 2 text pages of information. - Nick Dunning, which features 1 text page of information. A photo gallery is next and includes 10 images of promotional photographs taken during the production. There's also a collection of bonus trailers for: - "The Ghost Whisperer: Season 2" which runs for 32 seconds. - "Criminal Minds: Season 2" which runs for 32 seconds. - "Jericho: Season 1" which runs for 31 seconds. - "Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box" which runs for 1 minute 41 seconds. - "CSI Combo 2007" which runs for 31 seconds. Rounding out the extras are DVD-ROM features, pop your disc into your PC DVD drive to access the following: - Web links - Downloadable episodes of "Californication" from its first season and two episodes of "Dexter" from its second season.
Packaging
This 4-DVD set is packaged with 2 discs each placed in a clear plastic slim-case, all placed into a single cardboard case.
Overall
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