Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

HENRY: My lords, we will now proceed with our plans

for an invasion of France.

We will start by the capture of the strategic town of Boulogne.

Your Grace, I shall appoint you commander of our armies,

if you have the will and the stomach for the fight.

Majesty, I can only thank God for the chance

to win honour and glory in the field.

What man would not prefer to die with a sword in his hand and a cry in his throat,

rather than abed in England?

COUNCILLORS: Aye. HENRY: Aye.

My lords, I must tell you that a special envoy

from the court of the emperor, the Duke of Nájera,

will pay us an unofficial visit, in honour of our alliance.

The duke is one of the emperor's most successful generals.

He should be first received here by the Earl of Surrey

and then brought to court.

I'm sure your lordships will see fit to welcome him as he deserves.

COUNCILLORS: Yes, Your Majesty.

I have vowed to bring King Francis under submission,

and I will fulfil this promise.

I have been, all my life, a prince of virtue and honour,

as you can all attest,

and I have never contravened my word.

[♪♪♪]

I'm too old to begin now.

PARR: I, Catherine,

take thee, Henry,

to be my wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better or for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to be bonaire and buxom in bed and at board,

till death us do part,

and there too I plight thee my troth.

[CHORUS SINGING]

GARDINER: The ring.

[SPEAKING IN LATIN]

With this ring, I thee wed.

With my body, I thee worship.

[GARDINER SPEAKING IN LATIN]

I now pronounce thee man and wife.

[CHURCH BELLS CHIMING]

Thank you, Lady Herbert.

Majesty.

Sister.

Your Majesty.

Ahem.

Your Majesty, if I may?

Mm-hm?

I am determined to be a loving stepmother

to your children.

Of course, I have known the Lady Mary for years,

but it would now be my pleasure rather than my duty

to make friends with the Prince Edward and the Princess Elizabeth.

So with Your Majesty's permission, I would like to invite them

more often to court, not only for my sake,

but so that they might more often see their father.

You have my permission.

Thank you.

And perhaps Your Majesty might also agree

to the Lady Elizabeth having permanent lodgings at court

like the Lady Mary?

Perhaps.

But I would not like my son Edward to come to court too often,

for fear he may catch infection.

I've arranged for some gifts to be delivered to you.

I hope you like them.

I thank you.

You're welcome.

[♪♪♪]

GROOM: Try this one, Your Grace.

Your Grace.

My lords.

Sir.

I am pleased to convey to you His Majesty's commissions.

Sir Thomas, you are recalled from Brussels

and are to be appointed admiral of the fleet.

My Lord Surrey, the king has seen fit to make you marshal of the field,

a singular honour.

Your Grace.

When do we sail?

As soon as the king commands.

Sir Thomas.

Is it true that your brother, Lord Hertford,

is against this war?

It is true, Your Grace. He worries for the king's health,

in body and in mind.

He fears that if His Majesty should die in France,

he would leave the kingdom in great confusion.

How is the king?

There are rumours that he is unwell,

that he may be unable to lead the army.

Oh, no, my lord. The king will lead his soldiers.

Make no mistake of that.

For here is the truth:

The king does not just want France back,

but all of his honour and his youth as well.

And in that, he is like me.

[♪♪♪]

[FOOTSTEPS]

Majesty, may I present

His Highness Don Juan Esteban Manriquez de Lara,

Duke of Nájera.

Your Highness. Your Majesty.

Very happy to receive you at my court.

I trust you have been well entertained so far?

[IN SPANISH] Entertained? Is he asking about our visit?

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

[IN ENGLISH] Indeed. I have visited the famous tower and also the River Thames.

In my opinion, it is not possible that a more beautiful river

should exist in the world. And with so many, um...

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

[IN ENGLISH] "Swans," Your Highness.

[IN ENGLISH] Yes. Swans.

[PEOPLE CHUCKLING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

My Lord Surrey also took His Highness to the Paris Gardens

to see bears fighting with dogs.

And then, in the same place, they brought a pony

with an ape on his back. And to see the animal kicking

among the dogs, with the screams of the ape, was very laughable.

[ALL LAUGHING]

HENRY: Well, Your Highness,

I trust this evening you will also be well entertained

by my beautiful wife, the queen,

and my first daughter, the Lady Mary.

[♪♪♪]

His Highness only desires Your Majesty to confirm

if your armies are ready for the invasion of France.

I have already given my word.

What more does Your Highness expect of me?

[HORNS PLAYING]

CHANCELLOR: His Highness, the Duke of Nájera.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Your Highness. Your Majesty.

The Lady Mary.

[IN SPANISH] Highness,

it is such a great privilege

and pleasure to welcome you to the court of my father.

Everyone here knows of your great renown

as a general of the emperor's forces.

[IN SPANISH] You speak Spanish, Lady Mary?

Yes, a little.

Am I not my mother's daughter?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

So is it a coincidence that there is talk of war

and then General Nájera turns up here at court?

Absolutely.

This is a private visit.

His Highness came to London to see the tower,

and row on the river, and see the swans.

Do you take me for a fool?

No, Excellency.

You are what you are.

And so am I.

Kat, may I not dance? Please.

Of course you can. Of course you can dance, my lady.

GARDINER: Mr. Risley,

may I ask, what have you heard of the queen's religious beliefs?

They are the same, surely, as His Majesty's.

GARDINER: I think not. Indeed, I suspect Her Majesty

of being a secret Protestant, and I intend one day to prove it.

RISLEY: And in so doing, risk the anger of the king?

Mr. Risley, for the sake of our faith and the future of our country,

I am prepared to risk a great deal.

Dr. Butts. What is it? It's the king's leg, Your Majesty.

His ulcer has burst. He's in great pain.

PARR: Come.

[HENRY GRUNTING]

Catherine.

Dearest.

Let me see. Please, don't.

[♪♪♪]

[HENRY GRUNTING]

[GASPS]

I have seen worse things.

Give me a poultice. Quickly now.

If Your Majesty could move your leg

and place it across my lap.

There, dearest.

Quickly.

[GROANS]

[COUGHING]

As long as the king is sick, I will move my bed to his chamber,

the better to look after him.

Madam.

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT]

OFFICER 1: All together now.

BRANDON: Next.

OFFICER 1: Steady.

OFFICER 2: Forward.

Come on, lads.

BRANDON: I went to war once, a long time ago.

Broke lances against the French like the knights did in the old days.

This... OFFICER: 1 Steady.

This is a different war. A war of guns.

OFFICER 1: Good shot. Again.

HURST: Good shooting.

OFFICER 2: Load the cannon.

[CROWD LAUGHS]

OFFICER 1: Good shot, lad.

Well done. What's your name?

Richard, Your Grace. Richard Leland.

You are soon to war, Richard Leland.

Next.

OFFICER 1: Try the musket. Hey. That was well done, Richard.

Harry. Harry Hurst. BRANDON: Next.

Are you coming to France, Harry? I don't know.

Can't shoot like that. What can you do?

I'm a farm labourer, me.

I can herd cows, shovel shit, and build fences.

Christ. I wish I had half your talent, Harry.

Thank you.

OFFICER 2: You there. Next.

Your Majesty.

Prince Edward is here.

Madam.

Your Grace. How lovely to see you.

Madam, I came to thank you for the outfits of crimson velvet

and white satin you sent me.

Well, I'm-- I'm very glad that you liked them.

I would also like to thank my noble and illustrious father

for the jewels he sent me.

But they told me he was sick.

Well, I am pleased to tell Your Grace that His Majesty is now much better.

[♪♪♪]

[SIGHS]

He must love me. For if he did not love me,

he would not give me these fine gifts.

He loves you very much.

You are very special to him.

And I know that he would like to see you more often if he could.

Thank you.

I wish you a good day, madam.

Poor child.

My lords. ALL: Your Majesty.

How go our preparations?

I think they have gone slackly.

I'm beginning to suppose your lordships were not so keen

to go to war after all. Sit.

Majesty, the gun carriages, carts, wagons, the ovens, horses, artillery

and ordnance are all made ready and dispatched for shipping.

A further 300 ships have been requisitioned for Your Majesty's use

and will be in port within the month.

Within the month?

They should be already in port, if you had not been so remiss

and neglectful in your duties.

Your Grace, what about our maps of Boulogne?

Your Majesty, we do not have any maps,

so we will have to rely on the advice of a French spy, de Buren.

So we are to blunder about in the dark

and trust to the honesty of French spies.

God help us, Your Grace, for it seems you have not.

[♪♪♪]

We will not wait for more ships!

This army will embark for France in 10 days' time, land in Calais,

and straightaway march to Boulogne.

We have three weeks to take this town

before we proceed on to Paris.

Now, while I am in France, the queen's Highness,

Queen Catherine, will act as regent and rule in my stead.

Lord Hertford, who I suspect is against this war,

will stay as lieutenant to the realm.

Now, need I remind your lordships that we go to France

not solely for honour and glory, but to recover

our just rights and inheritances taken from us by violence

and withheld from us for too long.

COUNCILLORS: Yes, Your Majesty.

[COUGHING]

Your Majesty.

[COUNCILLORS MURMURING]

He has made the queen regent.

Why? She has no knowledge of matters of state.

I do not know.

But from what I hear of her, I do not think it right.

I think the king should be aware how perilous a matter it is

to cherish a serpent in one's own bosom.

HENRY: Catherine, I have to tell you that I've left all things here in order

in case I do not come back from France.

Shortly, parliament will pass a new act of succession

naming my son Edward as my heir.

If he has no issue,

then it passes to the Lady Mary,

and then to the Lady Elizabeth.

Those are my wishes.

Understood.

[MARY CRYING]

[♪♪♪]

Do not cry, Mary,

for I do not intend to die.

Promise you'll write to me often.

Tell me all that happens in my kingdom

and whatever you see fit to write.

[HENRY SIGHS]

I leave my children in your care,

knowing that there are not more loving hands in this world.

Farewell.

[♪♪♪]

HENRY: Hyah!

It makes you happy to be alive, doesn't it, Majesty?

[BUGLE PLAYS IN DISTANCE]

BRANDON: Hyah!

Whoa!

Your Grace.

Majesty. Well met.

How do we prosper?

Majesty, the port is blockaded,

and the town was already partially invested.

Its gates are shut, and its defenders shut inside.

The French consider their strong ramparts

and double walls make them invulnerable to our artillery.

Well, we shall see about that.

We've brought enough cannon here to conquer hell.

Hyah!

OFFICER: Forward.

[SOLDIERS CHEERING]

I can't believe my eyes.

Look, Richard. It's the king of England himself.

What do you think?

I reckon if I were the French, I'd be fucking scared.

Englishmen, today you have every reason to be proud.

Today, we begin our campaign of Boulogne.

We have offered terms of peace

in return for our just rights and inheritances.

But our enemy has refused to render what they owe us.

They should know that we do not lack the courage

to fight to the death for justice.

[SOLDIERS YELLING]

These lands were taken from us by violence,

and I mean to have them back.

SOLDIER 1: What is rightfully ours!

For King Henry, for England, and for St. George!

[SOLDIERS CHEERING]

Long live the king! Yeah!

LELAND: For England!

[MAN 1 SHOUTS IN FRENCH]

[MAN 2 SHOUTS IN FRENCH]

BRANDON: Prepare to fire.

OFFICER 1: Bring it forward.

Soldiers, to your stations.

Section 1 commander, prepare your guns.

OFFICER 1: Section 1, prepare your guns!

BRANDON: Section 2 commander, prepare your guns!

OFFICER 1: Load the cannons!

OFFICER 2: Prepare your guns. OFFICER 3: Ready guns.

Section 3 commander, prepare your guns.

OFFICER 4: Ram barrel. OFFICER 5: Prepare your guns!

BRANDON: Soldiers, into the trenches!

OFFICER 4: Quick march!

Section 2 commander, take most of your men!

OFFICER 1: Load muskets!

MAN 1: Powder!

MAN 2: Move!

Section 3 commander, report when ready.

OFFICER 6: Yes, sir!

MAN 3: Section 3 ready. OFFICER 6: That's a ready, sir.

BRANDON: All guns take aim for the gates and castle.

OFFICER 1: Section 1, take aim!

BRANDON: Section commanders, OFFICER 1: Take aim!

Confirm you have your target.

OFFICER 1: Section 3, take aim.

MAN 4: Section 1, target ready.

BRANDON: Section 2, confirm target.

MAN 5: Section 2 ready!

MAN 6: Section 2 has target, sir.

OFFICER 1: Take aim!

Section 3, confirm.

MAN 7: Section 3 ready.

All sections, hold fire until I give the order.

OFFICER 1: That's good, lads. Guns ready, governor!

MAN 8: Hold fire!

MAN 9: Hold your fire!

MAN 10: Move!

OFFICER 1: Hold your fire!

MAN 11: Easy for the time.

Now we'll see how invulnerable it really is.

MAN 12: In position.

OFFICER 1: Ready, captain!

[MEN CHATTERING IN FRENCH]

[BELL CHIMING]

[♪♪♪]

Section 1, fire!

For the king!

MAN 1: Ready! MAN 2: Ready!

MAN 3: Fire!

[CANNONS FIRING]

All sections, fire!

MAN 4: Section 1, fire!

MAN 5: Fire! MAN 6: Fire!

MAN 7: Fire!

MAN 8: Reload the gun! MAN 9: Move it!

MAN 10: Fire!

MAN 11: Ready!

[PEOPLE SHOUTING IN FRENCH]

MAN 12: Charge the gun!

MAN 13: Reload!

MAN 14: England! MAN 15: England!

ALL: England!

[ALL CHEERING]

MAN 16: For England!

BRANDON: Back into position! Reload all guns!

If you could see that this is delivered to my Lord Hertford.

Thank you. Majesty.

Madam, here's Mr. Latimer.

Your Grace.

Alas, madam, I'm no longer entitled to such an address.

I was deprived of my bishopric by Bishop Gardiner.

I know. And I know the circumstances of it.

Still, I have a mind to appoint you chaplain to my household.

Are you absolutely sure, my lady?

You must know my reputation.

Your reputation, Mr. Latimer, is of a man of the Gospels

and a true Christian.

For example, do you suppose that it is a bad thing that everyone

in England should be able to read the Bible for themselves?

No. On the contrary, I believe it to be a vital thing.

For without God's direct word, we that be unlettered

remain confused and without grace.

Even though some would say that the reading of the Bible

leads to heresy?

If they say so, then they are wickedly charging

the holy, sanctified Word of God with the offences of man.

You are right.

Do people deny themselves food because they see others overeat?

Or avoid using fire because they have seen a neighbour's house burn down?

Oh, blind ignorance, Mr. Latimer, to slander God for man's offences.

Madam, if you're still of a mind to have me,

I will most joyfully be your chaplain.

[♪♪♪]

I thank you.

I have one favour,

which is that you conceal the true workings of your mind

from the Lady Mary,

for nothing in this world will change her allegiance

to the faith of her mother, and I respect her for that.

Madam, believe me, I shall be the soul of discretion in my dealings

with all His Majesty's children, and with the world.

Thank you.

My lady.

Sister,

are you sure you can really trust Mr. Latimer's discretion?

I know I should not say so to Your Majesty,

but I fear his appointment.

Should I play the coward?

Anne, you know that I never wanted to marry the king.

But since I had to, I may at least use what influence I now possess

to further the cause that I believe in with all my heart.

The cause of the Reformation.

Then at least I can address my God

with a clear conscience and an honest soul.

Please say that you understand, Anne.

Please.

OFFICER 1: Forward. OFFICER 2: Come on. Left, right.

OFFICER 3: There we are. There we are.

OFFICER 1: March.

OFFICER 4: Bring it on over there.

Shit.

It can't last forever.

[LELAND WHISTLING]

OFFICER 5: Advance. OFFICER 6: Move on, men.

OFFICER 7: Attention.

This way, my lord.

Your Majesty,

Señor Treviso. HENRY: Girolamo.

Your Majesty.

Come, show me where you intend to dig these mines.

I intend to dig three tunnels.

Two will be a diversion to confuse the enemy.

The main one will be here at the town wall,

which will lead under the castle.

How long will it take? That depends on the type of ground,

danger of flooding, and so on.

Also, how far into the earth they have built the walls.

But I say we could be under the castle

and able to detonate a huge explosion in three weeks.

Two weeks, Señor Treviso.

Two weeks. Take the troops you need.

[♪♪♪]

[MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

OFFICER: Put your backs into it, men.

HENRY: We are making excellent progress.

But I want to know how the emperor is doing, since we are in this together.

The emperor's forces are, at present,

besieging the fortresses of Luxembourg and St. Didier.

With God's help, we'll break our siege first and then advance on Paris.

With the damage our guns are inflicting,

I swear Boulogne will not hold out for long.

I think the French were foolish to think that their walls were invincible.

They had not seen our guns.

[♪♪♪]

[GUNSHOTS IN DISTANCE]

[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

SURREY: Paris by September. Good.

There are a lot of Frenchmen in Paris I would like to kill,

so I can sleep with their wives with a clear conscience.

HENRY: Gentlemen.

Salud. ALL: Salud.

Majesty. What is it?

The French, they've broken out just beyond the southern gate.

SURREY: I'll go.

Your Grace, I want you to cover all the gates with a massive force

in case this is a diversion. Go. Majesty.

[♪♪♪]

Where are they?

[SHOUTING IN FRENCH]

Come on! Ha!

OFFICER 1: There. OFFICER 2: There. There. Get him!

SURREY: Stop in the name of the king!

[SURREY SHOUTS IN FRENCH]

OFFICER 1: Where is he? OFFICER 2: He's down in the gulch!

OFFICER 1: Go.

SURREY: Keep your wits about you.

Take cover!

OFFICER 3: Stay down!

OFFICER 4: Do you see him?

OFFICER 3: Two on the ground!

[MAN SHOUTS IN FRENCH]

Ready!

Let's go! Go!

[ALL YELLING]

Your Grace.

I didn't need your help, but thank you all the same.

[MAN SHOUTING IN FRENCH]

[ALL YELLING]

Shall I leave them to you, then?

England!

OFFICER 5: For England!

For England!

[SCREAMS]

[SCREAMING]

[WOMAN SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

Mademoiselle.

OFFICER 1: Fire!

Load cannon!

General.

OFFICER 2: Keep the lines straight. Keep in there.

I've brought you some food.

I'm not hungry.

Your father is still alive.

[SIGHS]

[IN ENGLISH] Is that true?

He was wounded. We're taking care of him.

Can I see him? Soon.

I promise.

OFFICER 2: Put your backs into it. Roll that barrel.

What's your name?

Brigitte. Brigitte Rousselot.

OFFICER 2: Look lively there.

You should eat.

Why are you here? In France?

This isn't your country.

It used to be.

And we all used to live in Eden.

Doesn't mean we can go back again.

Why won't you release me?

So you can go on fighting against us?

Yes. So I can go on killing you.

No, mademoiselle.

You're my prisoner now.

Perhaps I'll even get a ransom for you.

Can I ask how things are in the town? Do people have enough food?

They have plenty. You shouldn't worry about them.

They'll never surrender.

Not to that sacred monster, your king.

Monster?

[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]

You know, we call him the English Nero.

Didn't you know that?

[GARDINER SPEAKING IN LATIN]

Mr. Risley.

Your Grace.

I have some news I thought you might be interested in.

It seems Queen Catherine has appointed Hugh Latimer

as her private chaplain.

Are you sure?

Yes.

And I thought someone said she was an intelligent woman.

LELAND: How's the tunnelling, Harry?

HURST: We've dug about 50 paces.

It's bloody hard work, and there's a lot of clay.

I prefer the clay. Not like sand.

Always afraid it's gonna collapse and bury you.

How have you been?

There's a French officer comes out sometimes.

He stands for a few moments on the castle rampart, looking at us.

Then he goes back inside.

I just need one good shot. One good shot.

Aye.

Hey, have you heard?

There are meant to be a few women around camp.

Not many, mind. Just a few.

That's what I heard.

If you fancy the pox.

Aye.

Perhaps you're right.

In any case, I have a wife back home, and she's with child.

Oh.

What do you want, a boy or a girl?

A boy.

I hope to God we're not here too long.

[♪♪♪]

PARR: Although Your Majesty's absence has not been long,

yet the want of your presence means that I cannot take pleasure

in anything until I hear from Your Majesty.

Time hangs heavily.

I have a great desire to know

how Your Majesty has done since you left.

For your prosperity and health I prefer and desire more than my own.

And although I know Your Majesty's absence

is never without great need,

still, love and affection compel me to desire your presence.

Thus love makes me set aside

my own convenience and pleasure for you,

at whose hands I have received so much love and goodness

that words cannot express it.

We hear word of ill weather and delays besetting you.

And though we thank God for your good health,

we anxiously await the joyous news of the success

of your great venture,

and for your safe and triumphant return,

MAN 1: More buckets down there!

For which all England offers daily prayers.

MAN 2: More supports in the space!

I fear I am but a poor substitute for Your Majesty

in the matter of the guidance of your kingdom.

I long for your return.

I commit you to God's care and governance.

By Your Majesty's humble, obedient wife and servant,

Catherine, the queen.

[WOMEN CHATTERING]

[GASPS]

[SOLDIER GRUNTING]

[GASPING]

[♪♪♪]

MAN 1: We need a physician.

MAN 2: You should rest, son.

MAN 3: That's it. His horse is lying...

Ease it.

MAN 4: It can wait till tomorrow.

MAN 5: What now? Too late.

TREVISO: But, Majesty, please, I beg you to give us a little more time.

The men are working all day and all night.

But sometimes we must stop digging

to support the roof, or else everything collapses.

Master Surgeon.

Señor Treviso. TREVISO: Your Majesty.

What is it?

Majesty.

I regret to inform you of the deaths of 10 of Your Majesty's soldiers.

Soldiers die of their wounds?

No, Your Majesty. The men all died of the bloody flux.

Dysentery?

Yes, Your Majesty. I'm afraid that there is now an outbreak

of the disease throughout your army.

God alone knows how many it will take away.

Master Surgeon.

[GRUNTING]

Señor Treviso. Your Highness.

OFFICER 1: Your Majesty.

OFFICER 2: Your Majesty.

OFFICER 3: Your Majesty. OFFICER 4: Majesty.

Let me ask you something.

What do you think of our Italian gentleman,

Señor Girolamo Treviso?

The builder of tunnels.

What do you mean?

I mean, do you trust him?

Why should I not trust him?

It's only that I happen to know that, some time ago,

he said he could build a mirror large enough

that if set upon the cliffs of Dover,

His Majesty would be able to see reflected in it

the movement of French ships in and out of the port of Boulogne.

You see what I mean, Your Grace?

Do you think he's mad?

It's only a suggestion.

But then,

he's not the only one.

[BRANDON SIGHS]

SOLDIER 1: Change the watch.

SOLDIER 2: Change the night watch.

SOLDIER 3: Section ready!

SOLDIER 4: Hold it up!

SOLDIER 5: Ready, captain!

[♪♪♪]