User Reviews

Hilary Mantel's superb novels 'Wolf Hall' and "Bringing Out of the Bodies' manage to execute an extraordinary balance. On one hand, they rehabilitate the reputation of Thomas Cromwell, one of Henry VIII's advisors, who received wisdom portrays as a man of viciousness and ambition; according to Mantel, this picture dates only from Victorian times, and Mantel rehabilitates Cromwell as a surprisingly humanistic working class hero. But as the same time, she never strays into the territory of ascribing modern motives to the characters she wishes she have our sympathy, and "primitive" attitudes to the ones we're supposed to hate. Instead, she brings us inside the morality of the times: the fact that it doesn't map cleanly onto our own is precisely what makes the books interesting. This BBC television adaption can't quite replicate the stream-of-consciousness from inside Cromwell's head provided by the novels, and almost inevitably it's a bit more Tudors-by-numbers. But it doesn't do a bad job either, avoiding the obvious clichés and giving us a convincing realisation of Mantel's work that captures most, if not quite all, of its inherent subtlety. Mark Rylance is simply superb as Cromwell, and most of the other actors offer a convincing interpretation of their roles, especially Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn, the minor noblewoman who punches above her weight all the way to the chopping block. What's still to come is the third (as yet unwritten) book of the trilogy, and the fall that follows Cromwell's rise. I look forward to it as novel and television alike.

Peter Straughan condenses Hilary Mantel's award winning historical fiction novels for television. Peter Kominsky gets all the candles he needs for gloomily lit interiors but more importantly gets out great performances from his actors and a wonderful paced drama. There is little here that is stuffy or po faced.

Damian Lewis is a thinner, youthful and more athletic Henry VIII here. Claire Foy (Ann Boleyn) is the chancer who uses her body to enchant Henry when almost everyone is against her. Thomas More is portrayed as a religious zealot here happy to torture and kill in the name of Rome, far removed from 'A man of all seasons.'

Holding everything together is an understated but riveting performance by Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. A social climber, a fixer, the son of a Putney blacksmith adept in the shadowy world of political intrigue and planning. Cromwell literally lurks in the shadows helped with all that candlelight. Cromwell is loyal too as he is with Cardinal Wolsey even after his fall from grace.

The kernel of the story is familiar although it is easy to forget that this is an adaptation of historical fiction. In short it is not all true.

The Tudor period is one of the most fascinating of historical periods, and, when they're done well (and they mostly are, a number brilliantly even), so are filmed or televised historical period dramas.

Of the numerous films, documentaries and mini-series of the Tudor period, 1971's 'Elizabeth R), 1970's 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII', 1966's 'A Man for All Seasons', 1998's Elizabeth, 1971's 'Mary Queen of Scots' and 1935's 'The Private Life of Henry VIII' are particularly great. Also very much enjoy 1969's 'Anne of the Thousand Days', 1986's 'Lady Jane' and David Starkey's late 90s- early 00's documentaries on Henry VIII and Elizabeth, and have heard nothing but good things about 2005's 'Elizabeth I' and 1972's 'The Shadow of the Tower' (both of which are high on my to see list).

'Wolf Hall' appealed to me straightaway with the great talent that it had on board and that the two books that it's based on are very absorbing reads. Some people might take the attitude of "why another drama based on the Tudors when there are so many already?", but few if any have been done from the viewpoint of Thomas Cromwell, one of the most interesting , from what has been written about him and how he has been portrayed on film and TV, figures from this period. 'Wolf Hall' may not be the most original (then again did it ever need to be?) or accurate (being based on two part-historical, part- fiction books based on the period) of Tudor dramas, but on its own it's utterly riveting television. To me, some of the absolute best of 2015, let down only personally by a slightly rushed final episode and an on-the-abrupt- side ending that gave the sense that the series could and should have been an episode longer.

Some people have taken issue with the slow pace, the dim lighting, even the production values, as well as questioning the accuracy and some of the characterisations. None of these were issues with me. From personal view, 'Wolf Hall' is a very well-made series, the scenery, locations and interiors are incredibly lavish and the costumes are well-worn, true to period and lovingly tailored (didn't see any cheapness at all). It is beautifully photographed too, and the candle light and natural daylight added absolutely to the drama's authenticity as that is how it would have been back then. The music score is pleasant and unobtrusive with a good sense of mood.

The quality of the writing in 'Wolf Hall' is superb too. It is very literate, remarkably intelligent and thoughtful with a surprising amount of subtlety that was much appreciated. As well as some understated but witty humour, suspense and palpable poignancy. There is none of the stilted, over-flowery rambling quality that it could have had, and there is similarly none of the subtlety-of-an-axe writing that was present in Tudor dramas like particularly 2003' s 'Henry VIII' and the still enjoyable-if-taken-on-its-own-terms-as- entertainment 'The Tudors'. Reportedly, director Peter Kosminksy was bowled over by the quality of the first draft of Peter Straughan's script-writing, amazed at how he managed to compress two long books into 6 hours worth of television so sensitively (the author of the books Hilary Mantel also called his writing "a miracle of elegant compression"), praise that this viewer too agrees with because it really was one of the most striking things about it. Adaptation- wise, 'Wolf Hall' may be compressed but what is there is faithfully done and it still manages to be coherent. The slow pacing was deliberate and not only was not a problem at all (personally, and for many others too) but necessary, the quiet and sometimes dark tone working beautifully. The first episode may have a slight find- its-feet feel pace wise but gets strong quickly, and there is nothing gratuitous, out of place or heavy-handed-for-the-sake-of- shock-value. In terms of effective scenes, Anne Boleyn's execution was heart-wrenching and chilling and the final scene between Cromwell and Henry is enough to bite the nails.

Kosminsky directs splendidly, and the performances are uniformly of high quality in very well-written complex roles that are, unlike 'The White Queen' (at first) , easy to tell who's who. Particular praise should go to the tour-De-force portrayal of Mark Rylance as Cromwell, more sympathetic and understated than most characterisations of Cromwell (often portrayed as the opposite, though the scheming calculating characteristics are not forgotten just not as obvious as it can be), but Rylance displays the remarkable and also rare gift of doing so much with as little as a glance and very few words, refreshing after sitting through a fair few performances recently where actors struggle to give anywhere near that amount of believability to a page, or even a line, of dialogue. Some of his most effective acting even is when he is reacting to what is being said to him or when he shows stillness amidst chaos.

Damian Lewis also excels and brings multiple dimensions to one of history's most famous (and notorious) monarchs, as do Anton Lesser as a less-than-saintly (one of historians' chief objections apparently) but still fascinatingly complex Thomas More and Bernard Hill's repellent and authoritative Duke of Norfolk. Claire Foy brings a conniving bitchiness and radiant charm to Anne Boleyn, her interpretation is not the most dimensional in the way Genevieve Bujold's performance is but it is still a compelling performance.

All in all, truly riveting stuff and very highly recommended. 2015 was hit and miss for television, and 'Wolf Hall' was up there with the hits. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I don't like giving ratings of 10 out of 10 because it implies that it can't be improved, which is never the case, but when I see drama as well written and well performed as this I want to see ratings that reflect that and respect it, and my 10/10 aims to redress some of the, in my opinion, ludicrous ratings of 1/10 that I see have been posted here. First the imperfections: I'm not sure why Peter Kosminsky, whose work I very much rate, has gone for hand held camera work in what is essentially a static shot. I have no problem with hand-held camera work per se, but the reasons for its use in a wide shot are lost on me, and the result is a slightly irritating amount of camera shake. Secondly, the time shifts could be a little clearer - blink and you miss the captions, and that's if they've actually been included. I think on one occasion the shift was implied rather than signalled. I suppose it does keep the audience on their toes.

But now to its huge strengths. First and foremost, the acting. I've been lucky enough to see Mark Rylance on stage and on television many times over the years and I think he's a force of nature, with everything he turns his hand to innovative and mesmerising, whilst at the same time containing the actor's essential ingredient - truth. That there is always something going on in his head is evident, but what is all the more intriguing is that we can't quite tell what it is . . . The rest of the cast are brilliant too, and the brief scene between Damien Lewis as Henry VIII and Cromwell was a mini delight and leaves me drooling in anticipation of future encounters between these two.

The costumes and locations are as impressive as ever with BBC productions, and will no doubt gather in numerous awards (although one bit of what I imagine was a CGI rendering of a Tudor village in the background didn't quite get there). There have been criticisms about the darkness of the lighting, a result of Kosminsky using lighting by candles (albeit with special cameras). I watched it in HD in a darkened room and I can't say it caused me any problems at all, and in fact I commented on how light and airy some of the daytime scenes were, showing life in the day in the same light - literally - as it would be today, as opposed to the generalised gloom in some depictions of the period.

I thought the pace was well-judged, especially when one acknowledges the difficulties in squeezing Hilary Mantel's immense volumes into six hours of television, and Peter Kosminsky has kept events moving along without being afraid to linger a while on the subtle signals of intrigue that are never far from Mark Rylance's face. The fact that much of Kosminsky's work has been in the political arena is very obvious here, and he gives us a needle-sharp insight into the machinations of that world, indicating that in oh so many ways, things don't change that much. Apart from the costumes, of course.

I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Before we watched the programme, I read a review which complained about the darkness of the screen. We turned all the lights out and were totally enthralled. Mr Starkey has blown his bombast again, not having read or seen the programme. This is television, and great television at that. There might not be documentary evidence that Cromwell was sad at the death of his wife and children, but it stands to reason that he might well have been! The programme is like a series of old master paintings, the people inhabiting these settings totally realistic and believable. Mark Rylance's portrayal of Cromwell is human, kind and unpretentious: an absolute tour de force. Minimalist, lacking bombast (unlike Mr Starkey!) and memorable. I love the whole thing.

This wonderful drama just held me spellbound from the opening sequence to the closing shots of the first episode. Mark Rylance was just mesmerising, from the moment he appeared he held me in thrall. The atmospheric lighting, the scenery, the period clothing, all a wonder, but the acting! It was a genuine privilege to see something that will be talked about for years to come. I felt I was there, in the dark recessed corridors of power, with betrayal lurking around every dark corner. Thomas Cromwell is such a fixture in our national DNA it was almost scary to see him bought to life, but he, along with Henry, laid the foundations for a Britain that was sure of its own identity and purpose. I know I will view this for many years and never tire of the many nuances and shadows. Wonderful, simply simply wonderful.

Having now viewed the entire series, all I can say is that it is a masterpiece. I felt drawn in to the dark intrigue around the investigation of Anne Boleyn, and her execution scene was without doubt one of the most realistic and best acted scenes I have ever seen. The BBC, so often getting it wrong with their own brand of political correctness, got this bang on the money. I just wish I could award it more stars.

For anyone who wants to watch a fabulously acted and brilliant drama, this is it.

I felt it right to update this having now read the books Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies. This is a superlative adaptation of the books and I would recommend reading them as it really enhances the enjoyment of the drama production.

I rate this 10/10 to counterbalance a couple of people who, perhaps used to watching flat TV shows, have given a most unfair 1/10 rate to a magnificent mini-series.

The acting is impeccable. Mark Rylance plays a remarkable Cromwell, completely taking over the audience with a subtly nuanced character composition. I've always enjoyed Damian Lewis, so it is no surprise his Henry VIII hasn't disappointed me in the least. But Claire Foy, what a talented, lovely interpretation! They, together with Saskia Reeves (an excellent actress), Jessica Raine and a constellation of great actors make Wolf Hall a truly powerful experience to view more than once.

The production boasts of a marvelous attention to detail, from indoors decoration to costumes, behaviours and dining-- a pleasure to relish on.

But what most impressed me (other people have hated the show for this) is the dim, realistic candle-lit night scenes. I have always deplored movies with fake candle-lit interiors which are an insult to viewers' discerning ability. Now you watch Wolf Hall and you can almost smell the dripping burning candles!

The action is very well plotted, considering the books are quite lengthy. There is nothing boring in this 6-episode great TV show and much to enjoy and admire. When episode 6 gets to the closing scenes, you end up wishing there were a second or third season (though, the truth must be said, no one would like to see Cromwell's ill-fated decapitation in Rylance's human and favourable depiction).

In short, if you appreciate exquisite direction and photography, excellent acting, a great script adaptation and a lavish historical production, you will find this show second to none.

Having only seen this really from Thomas More's perspective in 'A Man for all Seasons' (a brilliant film) I was intrigued to see it from the 'villain's' point of view which is what Cromwell was in the film. This has been quite an eye opener for me and I am absolutely hooked on the BBC series right now. It got off to a fairly slow start in episode 1 in setting the background for the story but it has just got better and better, the acting from Rylance and Lewis etc is superb and Mark Rylance is not too dissimilar in appearance from Cromwell's actual appearance. Another superb costume drama from the BBC and long may it continue if this is the standard we can expect for future productions.

A loving and faithful screen rendering of one of the most remarkable novels published in recent memory, Wolf Hall brings to life the gripping story of Thomas Cromwell, whose story unfolds in front of the backdrop of Tudor England with its mercurial personalities and ever-changing political fortunes.

There's nothing artificially showy about this drama. It's pure excellence, a production that unites an unparalleled cast with an exquisitely intelligent script. As a fan of the book, I'm not sure how this will strike those who haven't read Mantel's work, but those who have will be more than satisfied.

Watching the first episode actually put me to sleep. The pace is very slow to begin with and the lighting is low, the actors voices rather drowsy but, I watched it again on catchup and am so glad I did. This is a superb piece of historical drama, not entirely factual but nonetheless, superb. Great acting from all with the one exception of the actress playing Ann's sister, whom I thought rather too modern looking for the part. Now onto the series. The lighting in this was very realistic, the acting almost faultless and the natural pauses in speech were allowed here, which on screen is something very rare indeed. The ellipsis were excellent and we really were given a flavor of what it was that made up the character from child to man, which added to a sense of congruity for me. I would have given this one a 10 star review but, for me, it seemed one episode short. The characters demise was not shown and I think this was a real error on the part of the director. However, it was beautiful to watch and overall, very enjoyable.

While there were some good performances from Mark Rylance as Cromwell and Claire Foy as Ann Boleyn, the overwhelming impression from this mini-series was of a rather rambling and uncoordinated story. Words that spring to mind are over-dramatized, disjointed and episodic. Many of the characters were poorly drawn and flitted in and out without ever being properly identified, indeed, most of them seemed indistinguishable from one another.

Damian Lewis, as King Henry, was rather stiff and Jessica Raine as one of Ann's attendants was simply far too arrogant and 'sniffy'. Bernard Hill seemed horribly miscast as the Duke of Norfolk, playing the part as something of a northern trade union leader. Some of the language was far too modern and I was left wondering how much of this was history and how much pure fantasy.

Having said all of this, I have to admit that the series had its moments and some parts were very well played and very powerful. All-in-all, a bit of a 'curate's egg', but one that I'm unlikely to remember for long or want to watch again anytime soon.

Thomas Cromwell rose from obscurity to become the second most powerful man in England. At a time when rank and position mean everything, especially at Court, Cromwell's rise was a remarkable feat. How did he do it? Well, it is not easy to understand from Cromwell's portrayal by Mark Rylance.

I watched Wolf Hall when it first aired in 2015. At the time, I thought revered stage actor Mark Rylance was poorly cast as Cromwell. Watching the mini-series again five years later, my opinion has not changed.

Although he went on to win many plaudits for his performance as Thomas Cromwell, I found his one-note portrayal of such a pivotal character in English history completely lacking in range and as a result, I found Wolf Hall a rather unsatisfactory experience. However, Claire Foy did an outstanding job as the ill fated Anne Boleyn as did Jessica Raine as her vengeful Sister-in-Law Lady Rochford.

This production is first class, there is not one jarring note anywhere. The acting is finely drawn and deeply layered and I am transfixed from the opening to closing credits. The director and production team have done a fantastic job bringing this novel to life. I truly believe this is the best drama I have ever seen on television. It feels like I have stepped into a time machine and am witnessing these events of Tudor England first hand. I sincerely hope that the whole ensemble stay together in order to bring other productions to life and if so, I will be the first in line to watch them. In the meantime, I will be incredibly sorry when I have finished watching the end of the series. Many congratulations to all involved.

Wolf hall tells a tale that most watchers will already be familiar with, it is after all essentially a historical drama based around the reign of a famous English king, the fact that it never bores or fails to entertain is testament to the brilliance with which the story is told, i would compare this to another brilliant and much lauded bbc drama i Claudius, long held up as the best of British drama, the story is intelligently written and beautifully paced, the acting is perfection throughout, it is filled with political intrigue and family rivalries of the rich and powerful, this is no bawdy sexed up rendition such as the Tudors for example, it is a serious thoughtful study of the events in king Henry 8 court, and the fall out from the demands of a monarch who is at once both charming and erratically dangerous to be associated with,if you want action and fanciful dialog then go elsewhere but for deep meaningful drama with beauty and power look no further, for people who have given this drama low ratings they are of course entitled to, but i am mystified by this and really the average rating should be around 9 for this work of genius.

As a life long Anglophile - with a special passion for the Tudors, I could not wait for this series - after only the first episode, I was not disappointed. Wolf Hall is the story of a (not so well known) Tudor personage Thomas Cromwell - lawyer and confidant of Cardinal Wolsey - who at one time early in Henry VIII's reign was "the most powerful man in England." After Wolsey's decline (none of them stay on top forever), Cromwell worked with King Henry VIII directly.

The fascinating thing about Cromwell is that he was a lowly born commoner, but possesses a quick mind, a sharp tongue and is utterly fearless. Mark Rylance is a great Cromwell - not striking in appearance - quite ordinary in fact, yet possessing the qualities that took him far. Even though after only a short glimpse of Damian Lewis in the first episode, I believe he will be a great Henry (based more on his past performances than anything else.)

Aside from being about one of the most interesting families and time periods in history, Wolf Hall's writing scintillates. These types of dramas are long on dialogue and short on action (so Fast and Furious or Mission Impossible fans - stay away), but the dialogue makes the story.

Some examples:

After Wolsey is disgraced (he failed to secure the annulment of Henry's first marriage to Catherine of Aragon from the Pope), Cromwell goes to Anne Boleyn - who is waiting in the wings as Henry wife #2:

Anne: "we only asked the Cardinal (Wolsey) for one simple thing (meaning the annulment)"

Cromwell: "It wasn't simple"

Anne: . . ."Maybe you think I am simple?"

Cromwell: "You may be, I hardly know you."

In Henry's court, no one talks to the next Queen in line like that.

Later, Cromwell visits Norfolk (who was an avowed enemy of Wolsey):

Cromwell: I hope he (The King) doesn't think still of invading France"

Norfolk: "What Englishman doesn't??" "We own France!!"

later same conversation:

Norfolk: "tell him (Wolsey) if he doesn't (go North) I'll come to him and I will tear him with my teeth!!

Cromwell:"May I substitute the word "bite" for "tear?"

Finally in the next scene Cromwell meets Henry and their subsequent discussion concerning a re-invasion of France shows how snarky and smart assed Cromwell can be - even to the King's face.

It is brilliant.

And of course if you have visited England, the scenery and castles will bring back fond memories of your visit.

The Tudors have been a popular subject of movies for some time (Keith Michell - 1970 Six Wives of Henry VIII; or a pretty complete list at http://tudorhistory.org/movies/), this one promises to be one of the best.

I cannot wait for subsequent episodes. DonB

There are many shows and films about the Tudors. The dashing king Henry VIII, the mysteriously alluring Anne Boleyn, the Machiavellian Cromwell and the wise Thomas More. There are so many great characters from that era that one can choose any of them and tell a magnificent story. That was done in these books and it is done impeccably on the screen as well. This story focuses on Thomas Cromwell, who is portrayed as less Machiavellian and more sympathetic, but incredibly clever nonetheless.

As far as history is concerned, and my knowledge thereof, I think this is the most faithful portrayal of the early Tudors period. This version surpasses the lackluster, soapy The Tudors series. One should keep in mind that although the story retells historical events, it is still a piece of art, and it based on two historical fiction books. As such there is always a point of view that the author/director takes, which is part of the artistic process. Having that in mind, certain inaccuracies can be seen in this adaptation, but they do not influence the viewing experience. Actually, this is the most accurate portrayal of Anne Boleyn seen on screen so far. Although Natalie Dormer's portrayal is regarded as the best, this one is even better.

Clever dialogues, intrigues, breath-taking scenery and amazing acting can all be found in this period piece. There is no warfare, nor any especially violent scenes in this adaptation, which opts for the internal struggles of the main characters, and the intrigues of the court.

If you are looking to satisfy your Game of Thrones hunger, or a history lesson on the Tudors, then this adaptation will exceed your expectations.

Hilary Mantel must be very impressed with the way BBC2 captured the spirit and tone of the turbulent Tudor era from the rise of Cromwell to the death of Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall. The screenwriter condensed Bring Up the Bodies into just two episodes, but the storyline was easy to follow and did not feel rushed. All in all, I loved the series, both for the acting and the beautiful settings. Of course, Master Cromwell dominated by saying very little and conveying much with his masterful presence and quietly sympathetic character. At the same time, you had to admire the ambition and intellect he displayed in giving the king the wealth and freedom he needed to propel England into becoming a major state in Europe. Of course we know Henry's private life was marred by his obsessive need for a son, a desire fuelled by the tenuous nature of the Tudor's claim to the crown and the proliferation of Plantagenets that still existed at that time. Damian Lewis made an impressive Henry, still dashing and not yet quite a complete monster, although petulant and demanding. Mark Rylance's quiet almost withdrawn portrayal was so watchful, so intelligent, you feel this might well become his signature role. And Claire Foy made an intelligent and scheming Anne, who surely would have made a marvellous queen should she have managed to produce the sons Henry desired. All I want now is for Ms Mantel to finish the story of Cromwell's remarkable life, even though we all know it ends in tragedy.

When we look at historical accounts the first thing we need to ask is who wrote them and why. Inevitably they are written by people who, for the most part, fell in line with those in power. That is to say, what they offer us, is one "version" of the truth but not necessarily the most accurate one.

Wolf Hall in one sense is one "version" of the life and times of Thomas Cromwell who became an "almost" indispensable adviser and administrator to King Henry VIII of Britain.

Its capably acted and well scripted stuff but does it really reflect the reality of Cromwell's life? An honest answer is no one knows for sure. What can be said based on known historical records is it does take liberties.

The depiction of Henry VIII as a hard working if depressed, put upon leader is something of a stretch, to say the least. Henry VIII would, by modern standards be described as a despotic, cruel, even sadistic (he had people boiled alive) dictator. Indeed, even by the standards of the time, he was not viewed favourably on the international stage. Moreover, Henry was hardly a capable leader either. An angry, temperamental and capricious loud mouth and show off, who was bolstered up, in large part, by advisers who effectively ruled in his stead (until Henry killed them off when he felt, reasonably or more often than not, irrationally, threatened by them).

Cromwell was not entirely the honest, practical, plainly spoken man he is portrayed as, either. Cromwell schemed and sold others, such as Thomas Moore, down the proverbial political river. That's not to say he was alone in his politicking or that he could simply divorce himself from it.

All in all, this is an interesting, polished, historical series. That said, it seems UK productions have an aversion to facing the warts and all reality of their own past. Instead preferring watered down, polite dramas, that mask as much as they reveal. Seven out of ten from me.

Wolf Hall is a 2015 TV Mini-Series directed by Peter Kosminsky for BBC Two.

The film stars Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. Damian Lewis portrays Henry VIII, and Claire Foy plays Anne Boleyn.

As we expect from the BBC, production values are high, and the cinematography is excellent. Claire Foy does a very good job as Anne. I don't think Damian Lewis brought too much to the role of Henry VIII. To me he came off as just another scheming courtier, rather than a royal monarch.

Mark Rylance was outstanding as Thomas Cromwell. He took over the role and made it his own. After being the right hand man to Cardinal Wolsey, he became the right hand man to Henry VIII. He had to be bold, tough, brilliant, and, when necessary, immoral. He had a conscience, but he didn't always follow it.

Drawbacks to the series include the fact that it is discouraging and depressing. There's no one that anyone else can really trust--your friend today is your enemy tomorrow.

Also, there are many supporting roles, and sometimes I found it hard to remember who was who. "Is that the Duke of Norfolk or the Duke of Sussex?"

Wolf Hall is the perfect film for English history buffs, and for people who like to see intrigue compounded by more intrigue. If you're neither, then watch it just to see a great actor inhabit a great role.

Because this mini-series was made for TV, it works well on the small screen. It carries a high IMDb rating of 8.1. That's just how I rated it.

Stunning historic period drama I have ever seen.. Tudor Engalnd was mayhem, I had little interest on Henry VIII 's chaotic machinations. Hilary Mantel's books the narrative and Mark roll up the political and psychological mores of the monarchy

Anyone who has more than a cursory knowledge of Tudor history will, of course, have a bone to pick with the show's historical accuracy, but in terms of its merits as a television show, this is irrelevant. The real Thomas Cromwell was obviously not as virtuous as Mantel portrays him, but it is difficult to create an immersive reading or viewing experience without a main character whom the audience can relate to and sympathise with, at least on some level.

Wolf Hall is absolutely rich with atmosphere. The visuals, the sets, the costumes, the lighting and the camerawork all combine to generate a truly immersive, evocative viewing experience. This is one of the most well-produced period pieces in the history of the genre.

On top of the production values, the acting is superb. Many people have emphasized Rylance's and Foy's performances, both of which are excellent (Mark Rylance is here to redefine the term "understated acting"), but the real stand-out performance for me was Damian Lewis as Henry VIII, whose acting skill combines with Mantel's literary interpretation to give new depth and complexity to one of the most complicated figures of the Renaissance.

Instead of portraying Henry either as a one-dimensional villainous tyrant or as a sympathetic figure, Wolf Hall illustrates as close an approximation to what we know of the real Henry as I have ever seen: A man of great intelligence and very poor impulse control, emotionally immature and easily manipulated, but also grandiose, arrogant, narcissistic and resentful. An adolescent King who never really grew up, being endlessly pulled in a hundred different directions at once, both by his own desires and contradictory motivations, as well as the competing agendas of his advisors.

If the goal of this show is to provide audiences with a fresh perspective on the events of the 1530s in England, it is a runaway success. Choosing Thomas Cromwell as the protagonist may present problems of accuracy, but it also provides a unique sounding board that brings to life many of the other characters the show features, illustrating how the personalities of Henry, Anne, Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey and others shaped the events of the period.

There is not a single poor performance by any actor, from Anton Lesser's sadistic More to Mark Gatiss' smug, manipulative Bishop Gardiner to Bernard Hill, who must have had the time of his life playing the fabulously foul-mouthed Duke of Norfolk, whose every threat involves some form of mastication.

I have read both books this series is based on and I am so glad Hilary was so hands on during the production so that the series is sympathetic to her writing. I watched the series back in 2015 and now in 2019 I am re-watching it with the glad knowledge that the 3rd book will be published in 2020 and the second season will be made to show the last few years of Cromwell's Life. I can only mirror what others have said about the superb acting in this series and the clever use of candlelight. I have watched many Tudor based films and series (the Tudors etc) and I have to say this is the best Cromwell I have ever seen. I sincerely hope that Mark Rylance can be available for the last installment. It would not be the same without him