July 12 - The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Part 6 - Catherine Parr

Here is a movie with a scene that happens today – July 12. I hope you enjoy the film and watch it tonight.  

THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, PART 6 – CATHERINE PARR

Catherine Parr, Lady Latimer is summoned to court to meet the king. Her intelligence, honesty and placid nature attract him. She refuses his proposal at first, but is persuaded by Archbishop Cranmer, Thomas Seymour and Edward Seymour to accept, as they hope to use her to promote Protestant doctrines.  Thomas Seymour, even though he is personally attracted to Catherine persuades her to marry the king. On July 12, 1543  [22:18 to 26:48] Henry VIII marries Catherine Parr, the last of his six wives.  Catherine arranges to have Thomas Seymour sent overseas on an embassy. Henry’s children three children become close to Catherine. Henry goes abroad to campaign and makes her regent. Bishop Gardiner starts an investigation of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting. Cranmer is ordered brought before the council for examination, but the king prevents this from happening. Anne Askew, a protestant writer is tortured by Gardiner. Catherine expresses her doubt that Anne was guilty of anything and this angers the king. Gardiner persuades Henry to let Catherine be ‘examined’. Catherine learns of this and goes into depression. Cranmer comes to see her and she follows his advice and goes to the King and apologizes. When Wriothlesly comes to serve the warrant for her arrest, Henry tears it up. Henry goes into a final decline and dies, but Gardiner continues to try and convince Henry to move against the Queen up until the last minute. Nine year old Edward is proclaimed king. Thomas Seymour proposes to Catherine and she accepts.

Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII by David Starkey (HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2007) at page 713 gives the date of the wedding

Producer – Ronald Travers and Mark Shivas

Director – Naomi Capon

Screenplay – John Prebble

Awards - The film won the Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading

Role (Michell) Emmy award. It was also nominated for the Outstanding   Drama Series, Outstanding New Series, Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a leading role in a dramatic series (Michell) and the Outstanding Single Program, drama or comedy.

Runtime – 1 hour 30 minutes

Released – February 5, 1970

Starring –

Keith Michell as Henry VIII of England

Howard Goorney as Will Somers

John Ronane as Sir Thomas Seymour

Elizabeth Bell as Anne Askew

Daniel Moynihan as Edward Seymour

Bernard Hepton as Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

Basil Dignam as Bishop Gardiner

Patrick Godfrey as Sir Thomas Wriothesley

Alison Frazer as Princess Mary

Jody Schaller as Princess Elizabeth

Rosalie Crutchley as Catherine Parr