The 7th Wife of Henry the 8th by Betty Younis

and Rosalie Crutchley as Katharine Parr is a dull old crow in black, widow of old men, who at first resents her lot and then comes to respect and love the sick king. Catherine Howard, as played by Angela Pleasance, is all gloss and no substance, but you still feel for her as she goes headlong to her fate without recognition.

Elvi Hale as Anne of Cleves is extremely convincing, and her episode is full of intrigue. Anne Stallybrass as Jane Seymour is sweet, pious, and just a little bit cunning (and that episode, largely in flashback as Jane lies sick to death at her son's christening, is well done). Dorothy Tutin as Anne Boleyn is more fiery but the trial scene is truly regal and gives a different perspective. Katherine of Aragon's story is rushed, but Annette Crosbie does her best and is both memorable and pathetic. Of the six wives, all are excellent in their own ways. Of particular note are Patrick Troughton as Norfolk, Bernard Hepton as Cranmer, and Sheila Burrell as Lady Rochford. This always helps move a series along when many supporting players are there throughout. The writing of this series is tight and believable, and the supporting characters are solid.

What more can I add to the praise which has already been put forward? He is excellent in every episode we see Henry as a complex character who at times can cause us to sympathise with his predicament. Still, what is here is excellent - and far better than the ridiculously truncated film which followed a few years later. This series - and can you imagine the BBC financing and supporting a nine-hour historical drama series these days? - focuses on one of the six wives each episode, an interesting approach which comes off better in some instalments than others.

The 7th Wife of Henry the 8th by Betty Younis