Tudor Historian Rates Classic Tudor Movie Scenes (Video)
We all know that Hollywood isn’t always concerned with historical accuracy. This is why Dr. Nichola Tallis, a respected Tudor historian, was asked to conduct a meticulous evaluation of several Tudor movies, scrutinizing some of Hollywood’s most famous Tudor scenes. The historian offered insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each scene, assessing their alignment with historical facts. Concerning Henry VIII’s and Anne Boleyn’s portrayals in “The Other Boleyn Girl”, Dr. Tallis questioned the plausibility of their relationship during Mary's childbirth. The misrepresentation of Mary's affair with Henry VII and the emotional portrayal of Anne Boleyn's execution were deviations from historical accounts.
Moving to Queen Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth” and its sequel, ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, Dr. Tallis commended the accurate depiction of her fondness for dancing. However, the historian critiqued the exaggerated public argument with Robert Dudley and the omission of her iconic line in the Tilbury speech. The use of a Scottish accent for Mary in “Mary Queen of Scots” was also deemed historically inaccurate. In the evaluation of "Shakespeare in Love," Dr. Tallis acknowledged its fictional nature while appreciating aspects like costumes and dancing. The anachronism of women acting on stage during that time period was highlighted. Analysis like these shed light on historical inaccuracies and embellishments in Hollywood movies, reminding us we shouldn’t believe everything we see.
- Bloody Mary: The Marriage, Reign, and Death of a Queen of England
- Queen Elizabeth I: The Controversies and the Accomplishments
Top image: Tudor historian Dr Nicola Tallis rates Tudor movies. Source: YouTube Screenshot / History Hit.
