Monarch (2000)

Monarch: Directed by John Walsh. With T.P. McKenna, Jean Marsh, James Coombes, Peter Sowerbutts. Shortly before his death in 1547, the injured King Henry VIII is forced to take refuge a manor house closed for the season. While there, he must confront both his mortality and the ghosts of his past.

“Henry VIII is arguably the most interesting monarch of all time, itu0026#39;s fair to say he had a colourful existence. Monarch mixes up real life events with fiction, and delivers a totally intriguing watch.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s one of those films I didnu0026#39;t like initially, and I almost switched it off, I found some of the production a little cheap looking, and found the house way too modern for the period. However, those minor flaws quickly passed when TP McKenna began his performance as The aged King.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere isnu0026#39;t often a lot of focus during the end of the Kingu0026#39;s reign, by now he would have been incredibly sick, and in very poor health. I love how this characterisation battles his demons, having to answer to one Queen, a combination of all six wives. Jean Marsh was fabulous.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLavish costumes, and sets, which although sparse seem to work. You can see there wasnu0026#39;t an enormous budget to hand, but I felt the director did an excellent job.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThoroughly enjoyable. 7/10”