Bio-pic of the British monarch focus on his many marriages. 'The Private Life of Henry VIII' was the first non American film to win an Academy Award, Charles Laughton as best actor in the lead role. This was also the first British film to be nominated for best picture and the 12th most successful movie at the American box office in 1933, making producer Alexander Korda a real player in international cinema for the next twenty years.
Korda's future wife Merle Oberon plays wife #2 Anne Boleyn, while Laughton's only wife Elsa Lanchester plays wife #4 Anne of Cleves, and their few dryly funny scenes together are the best in the film. The movie makes Henry out to be a blustery but surprisingly sympathetic figure, and as much play as Henry has been given over the years there's not been a more iconic portrayal of the man. Well paced and at 97 minutes in length the film doesn't overstay its welcome, which was my principle concern going in. ***
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