Product Details

• Actors: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
• Format: NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Run Time: 570 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (349 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ZJW4NW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,176 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Tudors is an intimate, delicious and daring drama revealing the early years of Henry VIII, a lustful tyrant torn between bedding mistresses and conquering Europe. King Henry executed people with little excuse, and single-handedly tore apart the Roman Catholic Church, the most powerful institution in medieval Europe. Passionate, vibrant, and scandalous, he forever altered the course of history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 202 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzlingly beautiful, and a great invitation to study the period, May 12, 2008

By 

Anne Rice "Anne Rice" (Little Paradise, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tudors - The Complete First Season (DVD)

Yes, there are inaccuracies, as others have pointed out here. This is a dramatization and this is elegant popular entertainment. As an armchair historian, in love with the stories of Henry VIII, I find it absolutely gripping. The acting is for the most part marvelous, and the idea of doing these great personages as compellingly attractive people is a brilliant one. I think there is plenty enough here to draw a person into good books about Henry and the English Reformation. One thing I do like very much is that Anne Boleyn is being presented as the complex woman she obviously was; and Catherine of Aragon has been presented with immense dignity and respect. But the reason I've signed on here to recommend this series is that I really think it will encourage serious study on the part of many as to what really went on when Henry broke with the Catholic Church, and when popular entertainment invites us to study, to learn more, as well as giving us delight, well, that is worth something. The portrait of Thomas More is excellent, and the actor playing Anne Boleyn's father is quite remarkable. Finally, let me confess: there is something delicious about this series, something thrilling. I find myself charmed by it. Of course I wish the Catholic Church was presented with considerablly more understanding on the part of the writers. But in spite of that I continue to watch the second season, as enthralled as I was by the first. And I've ordered a whole slew of new books on Henry just because of this series, so I'm proof myself of what I'm suggesting here: this will encourage the serious study of history. --- The art direction and the costumes are gorgeous. The lighting is breathtaking. --- The sets are glorious. I hope Showtime gives us more of this top notch entertainment.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, but fun, December 21, 2007

By 

Melissa Niksic (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tudors - The Complete First Season (DVD)

I just finished watching the entire first season of "The Tudors." When the show first premiered on Showtime, I watched the pilot episode and never bothered to watch it again. I thought the show was visually appealing, but way too melodramatic and historically inaccurate for my taste. However, I recently read a fascinating book about Henry VIII, and I needed something else to satisfy my Tudor fixation. I watched all the episodes of "The Tudors" On Demand in less than a week, and I really enjoyed them.

In order to appreciate this program, you have to be willing to accept the show for what it is. Yes, the majority of the characters and plots in the show are based on real historical events, but this is a cable television series, and of course things are going to be changed to appeal to a larger commercial audience. As a result, all of the people in King Henry's court are much more attractive than they probably were in real life, and there are some major alterations to historical timelines. Still, I'm impressed that the producers actually did get so many things right with the show, and overall, it's very engaging to watch. The pacing is exciting and fast...perhaps a little too fast, in my opinion. For example, Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount gets knocked up with Henry's illegitimate child in the very first episode, and by the second episode, she's already giving birth. I wonder how long "The Tudors" can realistically continue to air with such a rushed chain of events.

For the most part, I think the casting of the show is excellent. I've never been a big fan of Jonathan Rhys Meyers until now, but his portrayal of Henry VIII is intense, dramatic, and exciting. Sam Neill is brilliant as the two-faced Cardinal Wolsey, and Natalie Dormer is perfect as the bewitching Anne Boleyn. As far as the characterizations of these famous characters goes, I think Henry VIII has been a bit one-sided in Season 1. I'll be interested to see how Meyers tackles the role when Henry finds himself betrayed by the woman he nearly sacrifices his kingdom for. It would be nice to see a more emotional side of Henry. Also, I think Anne has actually been pretty likable so far...hopefully she'll become a much darker character in Season 2.

Overall, I enjoyed "The Tudors" much more than I thought I would. It's entertaining, and people who enjoy learning about this period in history will definitely get a kick out of it. I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of Season 2.

167 of 190 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate but wonderful show, May 27, 2007

By 

AkashaReign (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tudors - The Complete First Season (DVD)

Completely hooked after first episode. JRM, Henry Cavill, and Maria Kennedy give stellar performances. Absolutely love this show but there are a few inaccuracies, such as combining King Henry's sisters into one, Margaret, whom did not marry Brandon, but sister Mary did and bore his chldren.Henry Fitzroy dying at such a young age when he had a great deal to do with Anne Boleyn's trial was mind blowing. Do not watch this if you believe you are "learning" about the Tudors, it clearly deviates from the truth, but it is an amazing piece of fiction with a gorgeous cast!!!