Watch Icons of Power - Madness of Henry VIII

Icons of Power - Madness of Henry VIII is a 2006 historical documentary film produced by National Geographic. The movie takes a deep look at King Henry VIII's reign in England, particularly his descent into madness during his later years as the ruler. Throughout the runtime of this movie, the audience is presented with a detailed account of King Henry VIII's journey as the king of England, from the early years of reign to his later years. The movie outlines Henry VIII's ascent to power, his various marriages, and the political and religious conflicts that he encountered as he tried to establish his dominance over the country.

The documentary mainly focuses on the character of Henry VIII, and how his personal life, particularly his love life, influenced his reign. The movie also delves into many of the popular misconceptions surrounding Henry VIII's reign, such as the idea that he was a serial killer, and explores the facts behind the myths.

To do this, the movie carefully examines some of the most famous artefacts of Henry VIII's reign, such as his armour and weapons, his artwork, and his personal letters. Each artefact is analysed to reveal what it can tell us about Henry VIII's life, personality, and mental state.

One of the most compelling aspects of this documentary is the way in which it presents an intimate portrait of Henry VIII as a person, rather than as a historical figure. The movie uses a combination of historical re-enactments, expert interviews, and archival footage to portray Henry VIII's life and character as realistically as possible.

The experts featured in the documentary include some of the world's leading historians, art historians, and forensic specialists, such as Alison Weir, David Starkey, and Dr Lucy Worsley. Their insights help to shed light on some of the key events and issues of Henry VIII's reign, and provide context for some of the more obscure artefacts that are featured in the movie.

As well as depicting the personal life of the king, the movie also dives into the politics of Henry VIII's reign, and the various religious conflicts that he faced. The movie engrossingly explores Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church, and the establishment of the Church of England that followed.

Despite tackling some of the more brutal and violent aspects of Henry VIII's reign, Icons of Power - Madness of Henry VIII never feels gratuitous or sensationalistic. The movie employs an objective approach, presenting the facts of Henry VIII's life and reign in a clear and concise manner.

Overall, Icons of Power - Madness of Henry VIII is an informative and engaging documentary that expertly explores the life and reign of one of England's most notorious kings. The movie effectively balances historical accuracy with compelling storytelling to paint a detailed picture of Henry VIII and his legacy.