I understand the idea of leaving things out because of time constraints, but to completely try and rewrite history is unacceptable. The major problem I have with this is that the average person is not fully aware of the history surrounding the era, so they will automatically begin to believe that what they saw in the movie was true. All week I have had people talking to me about the movie and how “accurate” they believed it to be. The only parts of the movie that were completely true were the names, time period and attire. Everything else had problems with it.
A friend of mine took the time to compile a list of discrepancies that I have included below. Just be aware that spoilers are included below.
1. George and Jane did not have any children (Ms. Gregory added this in The Boleyn Inheritence) – he was homosexual and did do the incest thing.
2. Thomas Boleyn did die two years after Anne’s death (Ms. Gregory added the beheading in The Boleyn Inheritence) Elizabeth Boleyn 1 year after
3. Catherine Carey was born before Henry Carey and both were children of King Henry
4. There are numerous Boleyns. It is a popular name in France (where it originated) and in Denmark/Netherlands.
5. Thomas Boleyn had five brothers (two died young) so it is possible for someone to be related to the family. Direct relation not possible.
6. Mary had a third child with Stafford. Henry Carey was forced into Anne’s ward by Henry VIII and Mary was not allowed to refer to him as her son.
7. William Carey was a wealthy courtier and Henry was a guest at their wedding ceremony – so the portrayal of him not wanting to be at court was bull cock.
8. Mary wasn’t an innocent little virgin and had an affair with the French King before begin married to William Carey.
9. She started her service to Katherine of Aragon in 1519 – 10 years in her service before Henry put the Queen aside.
If you see the movie you can see how upsetting some of these changes to history are. The most upsetting one was the portrayal of George Boleyn being straight. He was homosexual and never even slept with his wife, which made it impossible for them to have children. The idea of homosexuality did make it easier for him to sleep with Anne though to try and get her pregnant.
I don’t understand why they need to change history when the original story was even more interesting that the one they told. If you like the real stories than read the book rather than see the movie. If you just want to be entertained and don’t care if what you are watching is credible then you should see the movie. My being an avid book lover though, I highly recommend the book over the movie.
