Wonderful character development!

just watch it!

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Henny Porten is far too old for the role of Anne Boleyn who, the script tells us, is such a super-attractive wench that the king severs with Rome when the Pope refuses him a divorce so that he can marry her. Porten is a very hammy actress too, with as much simpering and eye-rolling as you wouldn't believe. On the other hand, Emil Jannings really looks the part of Henry VIII, In fact he seems to have stepped straight out of Holberg's famous portrait. Admittedly, his acting is a bit exaggerated, but tolerable. And the same applies to most of the players as well. Visually, the movie is spectacular enough and the plot, though familiar, moves along with sufficient pace to retain our interest. On the other hand, Lubitsch's direction is rather disappointing. It's very straightforward with virtually no camera movement at all and little evidence of the fabled Lubitsch touch. In fact, the only stylish quality evident in the direction here is the occasional use of framing devices. Disappointingly, the 1983 print under review does not use Reisenfeld's music score but a just passably appropriate melange of string orchestra, harpsichord and choir rendering vaguely Elizabethan airs. Despite the very washed-out print currently on offer, Sparkuhl's photography still manages to shine in certain scenes – the tournament, e.g. Available on a Kino Video DVD.

Continuing with the exclusive film programme about complicated relationships in some European courts, last night in the Schloss theatre was shown "Anna Boleyn", a film directed by the great Teutonic film director Herr Ernst Lubitsch. The film depicts the terrible story of the Queen consort of the British King Henry VIII. She was executed by her husband ( well, not exactly, the King ordered the executioners to do his dirty work) not to mention that this marriage caused an important political and religious historical event, the English Reformation.The film stars Dame Henny Porten, Germany's first screen superstar during those early years and Herr Emil Jannings, Germany's fattest actor in that silent era. Both play their characters in a suitable way; Dame Porten as an innocent aristocrat who becomes progressively interested in the power that the court offers her and Herr Jannings as the unscrupulous, whimsical and womanizing British monarch, a character very suitable for this German actor who overacts appropriately, given the extravagance and excessive personality of the character himself.In the early film period Herr Lubitsch was known for his outstanding costume films, colossal productions with big budgets ( "Anna Boleyn" cost about 8 million marks, a fortune even for this German count ) taking great care in magnificent decors as can be seen during the coronation procession in Westminster Abbey scene which employed 4.000 extras ( idle Germans of that time were used, causing revolutionary workers to create a fuss when German President Friedrich Ebert visited the set during filming).Besides the spectacle, one of the most important aspect of this and every film of Herr Lubitsch, even during his epic period, is the complex relationship between the main characters. We experience a game of different interests, double meanings, and the complicated art of flirting but what is treated lightly at first ends in tragedy. The importance of those historical facts is brought to bear in an effective way but Lubitsch is really more interested in the changing relationship between Henry VIII and Anna Boleyn.And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must take care that one of his fat and rich heiress doesn't lose her head for this Teutonic aristocrat.Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

Silent historical drama based on the story of Anne Boleyn, newly arrived lady-in-waiting to the Queen who catches the lustful eye of Henry VIII, bad-tempered King of England who loves to feast, drink, hunt, be entertained by his court jester, watch jousts, and chase around after young beauties who jump out of cakes and assorted attractive females around the castle. Well, he's soon annulled his marriage, married Anne, and telling her it is her holy duty to produce a male heir. She fails on that score and he soon has his eye on yet another lady-in-waiting. Meanwhile, Anne spends pretty much the entire film looking hesitant, perturbed, or downright ready to burst into tears. She just doesn't come across as a happy camper (or is it just bad acting?!).This film is a solid piece of entertainment, with an absorbing story that held my interest for two hours - plus I enjoyed seeing the very lavish medieval costuming featured here on a gorgeous sepia tinted print. Emil Jannings is quite striking and memorable in his well-done portrayal of King Henry the Eighth - he really seemed like he WAS Henry the Eighth. I am not so sure about the performance given by the actress who plays Anne, seemed a bit over the top. The DVD of this film features an appropriate, nicely done piano score that perfectly suits this story. Quite a good film.

The story is hard to follow unless you are quite familiar with the history of Henry VIII's reign. The picture seems more interested in spectacle than story telling. Wonderful costumes.I wasn't impressed with Jannings. His Henry was mostly interested in eating, drinking, hunting and women.