Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #411 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-13
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 503 minutes

Amazon.co.uk
It’s a very welcome return for The Tudors in this terrific second season of the show, which picks up once more on the earlier years in the reign of King Henry VIII. And once again, it pulls few punches, by turns violent, passionate and dramatic. It’s absolutely not family viewing, but it does grab you by the collar and simply not let up.

What’s more, The Tudors is once again powered by arguably a career-defining performance by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. He’s quite superb as the young King, capturing the obsession of Henry VIII in his quest for a male heir to the throne. He’s matched by a strong supporting cast, too, particularly Natalie Dormer’s Anne Boleyn. And with lavish production values grounding the show, it’s a sumptuous, surprisingly edgy slice of historical drama.

That said, once again, the show takes some liberties with history, and inevitably attracts attention for doing so. But those liberties are taken for a reason. The drama is never less than compelling, and it’s worth cutting The Tudors some slack for the decisions it makes. After all, the end result is genuinely gripping and engaging television, and come the final credits on the ten episodes here, chances are you’ll be thirsting for more. For even though you may know how the story ultimately ends, The Tudors is ample proof that the journey there is really what matters. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
Focusing on the early years of King Henry VIII's reign, The Tudors looks at the colourful personal life and tremendously influential political life of the monarch. King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) was obsessed with having a male heir, which led to him marrying six times. Rome's decision not to grant him a divorce led to him taking on the power of the Catholic Church, changing Christianity forever in England. In the second series of The Tudors, Henry is free to marry Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer). But there is turmoil ahead. Features all ten episodes of the second series.

Customer Reviews

Much better than the first series - great entertainment
I just loved series No 2. It seems that with the characters the whole series has matured. And that in a very positive sense. It is still very entertaing and beautiful to look at. The acting is much more ion the forfront (compared to the mere naked pleasures of series no 1). All in all, it seems to be much more acturate and historically valuable (even tough I beliebe that Jane Seymour is a bit too gorgeous) Jonathan Rhys Meyers performance is superb. It was worthwhile seeing this series. Enjoy!!

Wonderful
As a history student in her final year at university, I can well understand why those who have a passion for history, and its accurate portrayal, may have problems with the liberties taken here. However, it's important to remember that Henry VIII was not always fat and old, especially during this period! In fact, in some of the very final scenes of the series, we can see how he will probably progress into being this more typical version, and I for one cannot wait to see if they can pull this transition off. The important thing to remember is that this is a tv show; not even a documentary, and therefore has not got an obligation to be 100 per cent factual all of the time, but to be entertaining for the audience. And anything that makes people who normally wouldn't be interested in history want to know more after they've finished viewing, has to have my vote.

The Tudors
I think a lot of people are missing the point when it comes to Micheal Hirst's take on Tudor England. Eyes have been rolling (as opposed to heads...), and it seems like everyone's set to condemn it purely because Jonathan Rhys Meyers didn't fatten up for the role, nor don a ginger beard and codpiece. Woe!

So there are some historical inaccuracies, and yes, there's a LOT of nudity - but no one's requesting the immediate burning of all the many biographies and history books concering the period, and asking the shelves to be replaced with DVDs of the sexed up version. This is a television programme! And I'm certain that this series has forced a fair few to get down to their library and look up what the tudors were really like.

Isn't anyone fed up of the cliche'd fat man with a fake orange beard, take on Henry VIII? This is a fresh new take on old school history for a new generation. Stunning sets, beautiful locations, a fairly 'educational' but entertaining script, great costumes and a young cast. Let's start seeing the tudors for what it is - enjoyable programming :)