Wolf Hall - Season 2 - The Mirror & the Light

I agree he's an exceptional actor, portraying HM's version of Cromwell very well but in reality he was just as ruthless as the rest of them.

A 'Mark Rylance' is 'liking' posts all over Facebook. So is a 'Keanu Reeves'.

Aveline

I'm reading Rory Stewart's book about his time in Parliament and it all sounds very like the machinations going on in Wolf Hall but without the beheadings etc

Yes, scary, and I thought the same reading it

I find myself drawn into the atmosphere of Cromwells presence each episode, he is a superb actor.

Another stellar performance by Rylance Ep.4

Calendargirl

^The painting of Norfolk looks like Charles Dance to me^

Having an off day.

Have you seen Charles Dance recently? He’s in The Day Of The Jackal and looks ancient.

Obvs Rylance is a really good actor but when I read the books I imagined a more sturdy and powerful figure.

I'm enjoying watching Damian Lewis as Henry V111 although he's far too slim.

There is a painting of Cromwell by Holbein. Very similar clothing as used in the series, but Cromwell is fleshier, more brutal looking .

Great production, but has anyone noticed that only very small pieces of food are eaten? Forks had not arrived, so food was cut up, but I can’t believe that larger pieces of food did not make their way to Tudor bellies.
It may be a filming device, to spare us, and I’m not expecting a Charles Laughton scenario, throwing chicken legs around, but there is so much picking going on.

I don’t believe the portraits by Holbein are flatteries. He probably used a camera obscura for the wonderful drawings and to me, they are the photographs of the day, truly realistic.

The background music is a lute, correct to the period, not an acoustic guitar as mentioned, if I am correct.

Last night was superb. The acting is on such a high level as I found myself actually feeling sorry for Cromwell.

Henry is quite scary in a menacing way.

I still can't take it seriously with it's so called 'colour blind casting'. Rylance can actually his socks off but I still find myself noticing huge discrepancies like Jane Seymour's apparently Indian sister and other more obvious woke casting.
I know I'll be jumped on for saying this but it's undermining a serious attempt to illustrate Mantel's book and the historical situation at the time.

Aveline I agree with you wholeheartedly. History is history and cannot be adjusted to adhere to today’s views.

I'm so engrossed in the atmosphere that I am not noticing the discrepancies, superb acting .

Aveline
I agree about Jane Seymour's sister. Unfortunately it's the way of things now with the BBC.

Millie22

Aveline
I agree about Jane Seymour's sister. Unfortunately it's the way of things now with the BBC.

A fair pale Jane Seymour and her apparently Indian sister, that jumped out at me too.Just why?
Otherwise a superb production and the scenes are like old masters the way they’re lit.

The 'colour question' has been done to death, I think. I don't suppose the different points of view will ever find common ground.

I do agree about the lighting, and the acting, though. Both are excellent. I do feel sorry for Cromwell. I've worked in places where people are all out to do one another down, and it is horrible. In a lot of closed societies people form factions and allegiances - it seems to be something in human nature - so I find his downfall very believable. It must have been terrifying for him to know what was likely to happen as he'd seen it all before.

As was pointed out in one of the podcasts I listened to, with the things he did to other people they would have done the same to him if the boot was on the other foot.

Harsh times indeed.

I have to be honest and say that, when it comes to historical dramas I do like people to look how I expect them to look ie Henry with red hair: ditto Elizabeth. Much as I love Timothy Spall I’m just very aware that I’m watching Timothy Spall acting as someone else. He just doesn’t look right for the part. It stops me totally immersing myself in what I’m watching. I’ve recently watched 1923 and the whole series was ruined for me by an American actress doing the worst upper class English accent that I’ve ever heard. I just couldn’t ignore it. It just detracted from everything else.

The background music is a lute, correct to the period, not an acoustic guitar as mentioned, if I am correct

Oh hollysteers that’d be me, upthread. 😮
I’m not musical and I just assumed I recognised the instrument!

I loved last night’s episode. The tension is twanging the wires. Poor Cromwell. Misplaced probably. But it’s what Mantel has me feeling.

Such scary times. I’m such a wuss, I’d have planted the seed of ‘illness/incompetency’ with Henry once I got wind of the pressure of knife tips at my back. When Henry said “you could write this down Crum” I’d be laying it on with a trowel. Early retirement in peace and prosperity would be good enough for me! Power must be addictive is all I can think, not to want to relinquish it - even at the risk of one’s own well being!

It’s a brilliant production isn’t it?

I agree BTW MayBee that Timothy Spall, good actor though he is, doesn’t command the same menacing tone that Bernard Hill generated in ‘Wolf Hall’. His lack of height and girth doesn’t help.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I agree BTW MayBee that Timothy Spall, good actor though he is, doesn’t command the same menacing tone that Bernard Hill generated in ‘Wolf Hall’. His lack of height and girth doesn’t help.

I agree.

He does radiate ill will very well though

I wonder if it was possible to ask to step down from a position in those times? Though on second thoughts, I suppose you stayed until the king didn't need or want you anymore and that didn't bode well