Becket is a historical drama of 1964, directed by Peter Glenville on the play by Jean Anouilh "Becket or the Honor of God." In 1154 the English throne shall take King Henry II. Archbishop of Canterbury plays a central role in protecting the prestige and authority of the church, but Henry II needed subservient Archbishop's throne, a man whom he could trust completely, and he finds in the face of his friend Thomas Becket. But when the king formally appoints him Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket is changed completely. He preferred the interests of the church, not the king. Archbishop defends church from complete suppression of the monarchy and a former friend turned into bitter enemies, consequently, as the Archbishop jealous of their duty, Henry realizes that his former friend had to die. The film can help students understand the current period by describing the details of life, the habits, the circumstances and the decisions people take.
"The Lion in Winter" is a motion picture. Screen adaptation of the play by James Goldman. Year 1183. During the coming Christmas, the King of England Henry, whose life is already on the wane, meets with the young King Philip of France. In order for the meeting was held at the proper level, Henry temporarily released his wife Eleanor from prison, in which she got for participating in a conspiracy against her husband. Three sons, Henry II - Richard, Geoffrey and John just come for Christmas to the father; especially after the recent death of their eldest brother Henry, their father must decide the question of succession. Formally, he should inherit the throne next in seniority - Richard and Eleanor fancy to him. But the younger, John was closer to his father. The question of succession worries the Princess Alice French. Brought up in England - she must be the wife of the future king, but Ellis has become the mistress of the present king, Henry ... Philip Augustus, a young king, is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Son of the late King Louis, weak, dependent on Henry of England, Philip intends to take revenge, suddenly intervening in the affairs of the English royal house.
Queen Eleanor no longer wishes to return to prison and goes through the game around the throne to regain freedom and rights of the queen. Henry II sees (or he thinks he sees) plans for all participants and is going to take someone else's lust for power for his own purposes ... But the main thing for him would be no political and personal conflict - none of the contenders for the throne may not be equal to him.
"Anne of the Thousand Days" is a costume drama produced by Universal Pictures, based on the scenario of the play by American playwright Maxwell Anderson. England, 1527. King Henry VIII is one of the most powerful European monarchs, but he still does not have an heir. He had long ceased to love his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and many favorite, among them pregnant from him Mary Boleyn, and he was bored. At the ball, he notices eighteen year old sister Mary Ann, recently returned from France. She is beautiful and witty, and soon will marry Henry Percy, son of the Duke of Northumberland. Intending to make Anne his mistress, the king ordered Cardinal Wolsey to terminate their engagement. Contrary to expectations, Henry, Anne, indignantly rejects his advances and, undaunted by the royal anger, openly expresses what she thinks about him and about his love for her. In an effort to win her, Henry showered with honors his family Boleyn, but the repeated offer of the king to become his mistress and bear him a son whom he could make an heir. Henry decided to divorce from Catherine and to marry Anne. After protracted litigation, and the break with Rome, and obtained divorce, on June 1, 1533 Anne becomes the Queen of England. But after the birth of his daughter Elizabeth (instead of the long-awaited son) Henry noticeably cools to Anne, and enjoys her maid of honor, Lady Jane Seymour. Fearing for the fate of Elizabeth, Anna asks Henry to declare her heir to bypass the Princess Mary, daughter of Catherine, who, however, finds no support in Parliament. In a rage, Anna needs to execute Thomas More and all others who did not recognize her queen, and her daughter is the legitimate heir to the throne. After a while Anna's dead son is born. King eventually became disillusioned and gave the order to its new minister, Thomas Cromwell, to find a way to get rid of Anne. Soon, Anna, and several courtiers of her retinue, and her brother George Boleyn, enter into the Tower. The queen is accused of multiple adultery, incest and witchcraft. After the trial, in which Anna, George and others get arrested with her, were found guilty, it suddenly comes to the king and life and freedom are offered. Anna categorically refuses, saying that she would rather leave the things as they are, than admit to her daughter announced bastard, and she would lose the right to become queen. The next morning, on May 19, 1536, Anna calmly and with dignity, takes death on the scaffold. The king hears the roar of cannon, signaling the accomplished execution, and together with his retinue he was going to Jane Seymour. In the garden, walks a little Elizabeth, and behind the scenes of Anne the words are heard: "Elizabeth will be the greatest queen. My daughter will be Queen of England, which means my blood has been spilled, not in vain."
