From Alexander Korda’s The Private Life of Henry VIII, 1933. Setting by VIncent Korda. Light and shadow by Georges Périnal. Pacing and weeping by Charles Laughton.
Life is one of four films included in the upcoming Criterion/Eclipse set “Alexander Korda’s Private Lives,” one of the most delightful surprises to come out of the exemplary Eclipse enterprise yet. Korda and crew, with their intelligence, craft, particular wit, and, yes, showbiz savvy, set a very particular standard for the period biopic, one that hasn’t ever been matched. It’s kind of staggering, given the sheer—and enduring—vitality of these films that they’re not talked about more. I’ll have some further thoughts once I’ve devoured the set entire, which should be soon.
I look forward to that box set, particularly as Laughton’s performance as Henry VIII is one of my favorite in movie history. That said, I’m kind of surprised this is an Eclipse release, given that the film is already pretty celebrated. Perhaps it’s on the strength of the other, lesser-known Private Lives?
What a beautiful shot. Will definitely check out the set.
@MovieMan: Yes, somewhat on the strength of the lesser-known lives—and also probably to rescue “Henry” from crap public-domain DVD ignominy. Criterion didn’t do a “full” restoration, but they did clean things up very nicely.
Maybe we don’t move in the same social circles, but my sense is that “Henry” has been far less celebrated in recent years than it was when I was growing up in the ’60s, and even then it was mainly cited for Laughton’s defining performance. The film itself isn’t something that gets brought up a lot in my experience. So I’m very glad for this package.
Laughton is likely my favourite cinematic Henry VIII– though I have a completely unwarranted soft spot for the bizarre casting of Ray Winstone as Henry-VIII-as-snarling-cockney-gangster in a BBC miniseries from a few years back.
Like so many others, I’m looking forward to this set as a whole and am about to petition my local library to purchase it (wish me luck). Eclipse is a wonderful thing– especially the Late Ozu and Lubitsch Musicals sets.
Your images of the day make me happy.