The private life of Henry VIII

Alexander Korda's masterpiece The Private Life of Henry VIII was the most important British film of the pre-war period and a phenomenal critical and box-office success.

Greg Walker's accessible and thoroughly researched book, the first study of this classic film, examines the film itself, its makers, and its place in the cinematic and cultural history of the period.

He examines Korda's subtle treatment of national and 'international' identity, his representation of British history, and use of modern stereotypes, and discusses the representation of gender and sexuality in the film, including that of Henry's wives and Laughton's award winning central performance.