Wolf Hall - Season 2 - The Mirror & the Light

I wondered how they would deal with Cromwell's death, which was very brutal,
So moving.

Gingster

Oh my goodness what a final episode! Fantastic actors.

I’ll start series one again.

Yes Gingster I agree, a fantastic final episode. I had a lump in my throat watching it. Mark Rylance gave a remarkable performance and surely should get a British Academy TV Award for best actor.

No one ever phones me. But someone phoned me when it was the last episode of The Killing ( and I didn’t have catchup tv back then ). And the phone rang at 9.15 tonight….

Oh my goodness what a final episode! Fantastic actors.

I’ll start series one again.

To share.

I found this very interesting:
moviemusicuk.us/2015/05/12/wolf-hall-debbie-wiseman/

Me too Heather18! I might rewatch both series in the NY.
It’s been so fabulous.

Superb last episode, outstanding 2 series. Great to have music that doesn't drown out the dialogue. I will so miss seeing this.

When Rafe sobbed in Cromwell’s embrace, I cried too. Gulp.
😢

I first listened to Wolf Hall on BBC Sounds when the pandemic started as a means of escapism

I find if life is difficult as the moment Wolf Hall makes me realise it could be much worse.

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.
I so agree.
An extract from a recent interview with Peter Komensky, (Director?) of Wolf Hall. describing among other things the digitising of the very faded original tapestries in Hampton Court.
"We were adapting a novel that had already placed great store by historical accuracy, and it would then have been quite bizarre to then decide to be cavalier with that accuracy when Hilary Mantel had taken so much time and care to get things right."

Sparklefizz

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.

I agree too😃

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

He does radiate ill will very well though

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.

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.

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 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.

Harsh times indeed.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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