Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Wolf Hall Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 26, 2015

With “Wolf Hall,” the BBC steps into the “Game of Thrones” business, digging into English history to rework known tales of treachery and violence, bringing a new spin to the oft-told tale of King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) and Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy). Adapted from a pair of novels by Hilary Mantel, the six-episode series strives to find an entry point into the familiar story, settling on the life and times of lawyer Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), whose steely sense of duty and intelligence permitted him access to Henry’s kingdom, bearing witness to rampant rumor, accusation, and royal gamesmanship that spilled over to the wrath of Boleyn. “Wolf Hall” isn’t about contact highs of swelling drama and twisty turns of fate (after all, there’s only one ending to this saga), but slightly agitated interactions among corrupted individuals, with these charge encounters representing the extent of excitement the show is willing to offer.

Historians are the target demographic for “Wolf Hall,” and while the show does a passable job setting the scene as Thomas acquires power and influence, any true appreciation of royal nuance is left to the imagination. The production concentrates on character, not dates, striving to keep the series on target as a study of one man’s battle with grief and dishonor, entering a realm that thrives on cruelty. Admittedly, it’s an enticing story to tell, teeming with heated infidelities and acts of backstabbing, funneled into sensation of controlled chaos when taking in Henry’s rule, with the King himself encouraging lawlessness away from his gaze. However, “Wolf Hall” only dips a toe in the pool of madness, electing to remain tight on Thomas as the lawyer endures personal loss and professional dismissal, trying to keep his reputation secure in a time that employs vicious rumor as a lethal weapon.

It’s a dry show, shockingly static at times, refusing to give into temptation as tempers flare up and Henry burns through mistresses. “Wolf Hall” remains composed and verbose, using dialogue exchanges as its primary currency, preferring performance over momentum. Thankfully, the cast is exceptional, with Rylance capturing Thomas’s gradual unraveling with subtlety, electing to keep reaction as muted as possible, pushing emotion through his eyes. Lewis and Foy are more electric in their roles, with the latter generating needed toxic energy as Boleyn, creating terrific moments of confrontation as the mistress becomes a monster. Technical credits are also superb, with lavish costumes and locations creating a visual distraction when the drama gets stuck in neutral. “Wolf Hall” is satisfactory eye candy for period drama enthusiasts, making one wish the screenwriting was equally enticing.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Three Card Trick” (65:45)

The year is 1521 and lawyer Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) is seeking change in his life, achieving position with Cardinal Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce), an aged man of God who’s made enemies with Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy), the newest plaything of King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis). With royal life in flux after Henry seeks an annulment from wife Catharine (Joanne Whalley), Thomas receives his own domestic trial when most of his family is wiped out by illness, leaving him with nothing to lose as he manages Wolsey’s deteriorating reputation and confronts his own history of abuse.

“Entirely Beloved” (61:31)

Wolsey has been banished from the kingdom, with plans to retreat up north to a land hostile to pampered lifestyles, threatening his already tenuous health. Now available for marriage, women such as housekeeper Johane (Saskia Reeves) and Anne’s sister, Mary (Charity Wakefield), make their intentions known to Thomas, both looking to escape their dreary lives. Feeling the weight of rule, Henry is riddled with insecurity about his position in history and pressure from Rome, leaving Thomas to become the sole voice of reason in the court, strengthening his political position.

Disc 2

“Anna Regina” (61:53)

In 1531, Henry, growing weary of Rome’s unwillingness to grant him an annulment from Catharine, sets out to take control of the church, with Thomas dragged into the fight, disturbing those closest to him. Anne’s rise to power is complicated by an accusation of marriage, leaving Thomas to pick up the pieces, figuring out how to remove the threat and appease the King. Helping to repair the kingdom, Thomas witnesses the union of Henry and Anne, while Mary makes her interest in him clear, conjuring complicated feelings. And Elizabeth Barton (Aimee-Ffion Edwards), a peasant girl who claims to hold the ability to contact the dead, arrives to frighten Anne, while Thomas takes an interest in her abilities for personal reasons.

“The Devil’s Spit” (61:53)

Banishing his wife, threatening his future by marrying Anne, Henry is soon disgusted with his situation when his new bride fails to provide a son during her first pregnancy. Fearing a slip in her newfound power, Anne makes bold claims about her future, confident she’ll fulfill her duty soon. Anne’s sister-in-law, Jane (Jessica Raine), teases Thomas with knowledge of Anne’s infidelities, sharing disgust with Henry’s rule and the Queen’s personal choices. And conspirators are rounded up in the kingdom, including Elizabeth, with royal power forcing Thomas to condemn an innocent man, Thomas More (Anton Lesser).

Disc 3

“Crows” (61:46)

Hoping to achieve perspective, Thomas travels to see Catharine, receiving a meeting that widens his appreciation of Henry’s cruelty. Anne is pregnant again, worried about her reputation as her marriage to Henry goes unrecognized in the eyes of many in power, including Eustace Chapuys (Mathieu Amalric). Realizing that Jane is more useful as an ally than an enemy, Thomas keeps her knowledge of royal matters close -- a necessary act when it’s revealed that Anne has lost patience with him. And Thomas’s feelings for Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips) are challenged when Henry loses interest in Anne, targeting the young woman to be his next bride.

“Master of Phantoms” (61:52)

It’s 1536, and Anne’s reign of power is unraveling, with Jane her primary enemy, hoping to lure Thomas to her side with her tales of sexual gamesmanship. Gathering evidence, Thomas encounters the depth of Anne’s deception, which eventually leads to a trial where the mournful royal advisor is handed the role of prosecutor, leading the Queen to her doom.

Wolf Hall Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Wolf Hall" doesn't stray too far from typical HD-shot Brit dramas. If there's anything to be concerned with, it's overall darkness, with a few candlelit scenes showing more solidification than depth, pulling out subtle frame information. Small amounts of banding are detected as well. Sharpness is generally good, with encouraging facial details managing creases and filth, and location decoration is easily surveyed. Colors generally run into dark shades of blue and red, but royal costuming brings flavor to the viewing experience, along with crisp greenery.

Wolf Hall Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is routine, but never falls below expectations. Dialogue exchanges are valued highly by the production, with deep voices and dramatic range secured without distortion, and group activity is nicely balanced. Scoring emerges when necessary, offering clean instrumentation and dramatic presence. Atmospherics are satisfactory with outdoor visits, while interior echo is preserved, adding some dimension to rooms.

Wolf Hall Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The People and the Politics" (10:05, HD) collects interviews with cast and crew (conducted on-set) to discuss character motivations and the hope that "Wolf Hall" will approach history from a fresh perspective, maintaining surprises.

• "Bringing It to the Screen" (6:27, HD) returns the same interview subjects (recycling footage in the process) to inspect the professional quality of the cast and crew.

• "Wolf Hall: History and Design" (5:18, HD) takes a more technical point of view to survey costume, camera, location, and make-up achievements, identifying the balance of period realism and dramatic demand.

• Interviews (18:17, HD) catch up with director Peter Kosminsky, Mark Rylance, Mark Gatiss, Damian Lewis, Jonathan Pryce, and Claire Foy. Again, information is recycled from the other featurettes.

Wolf Hall Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Struggling to keep "Wolf Hall" alert over six episodes, the production can't always support the drama. Periods of stillness throttle whatever hardness the show intends to create, hurting the overall arc toward doomsday. It's certainly attractively made and sharply performed, but "Wolf Hall" doesn't inspire viewer participation, keeping its pulse rate on the low side as a calculated way to achieve regality. A few heaving bosoms and spittle-drenched arguments wouldn't have hurt the series in the least.