Henry VIII & His Six Wives

Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced, beheaded, survived - This children s rhyme accurately depicts the sometimes gruesome outcome of Henry VIII s six wives, and is a catchy reminder of how a king at the height of his power manipulated the law for his own gratification. The iconic figure of Henry VIII conjures images of opulence and excess but also of a man with a vicious cruel streak that would send two of his wives to the executioner. However, as this DVD shows, he was also a caring and loving husband desperate for a male heir...desperate enough to kill.

Directed by —, Henry VIII & His Six Wives leans on a strong ensemble — Brian Ralph, Kate Dunn, Kate Temple-Brown — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1994.