The Other Boleyn Girl (2003 film)
The Other Boleyn Girl is a 2003 BBC television film directed and written by Philippa Lowthorpe, adapted from Philippa Gregory's 2001 novel of the same name. Centring around courtier Mary Boleyn, and her sister Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, King of England, and their competition for his affections. It was released on DVD on 6 October 2008, following the release of the 2008 version. Plot. The film follows the story of Mary Boleyn (Natascha McElhone), sister to Anne and George Boleyn. Henry VIII (Jared Harris) favours Mary, recently married to William  Carey, and lady-in-waiting to his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Despite her objections, Mary is forced by her ambitious family to become the King's mistress. Although Mary at first despairs that her husband has consented to the arrangement, and feels guilty whenever she serves the Queen, she begins to come to terms with her fate. Mary's sister, Anne falls in love with Lord Henry Percy and, despite Mary's warnings, they consummate the affair. Mary informs their family, who tell Anne that she has made a grave mistake. Percy is already betrothed, and the match was arranged  with royal consent. Fearing the matter will spoil Mary's relationship with the King, the family plan to send Anne away. An enraged Anne says she will never forget what Mary has done, and is exiled to the family seat of Hever Castle. Mary falls in love with the King, and begins to enjoy their time together; she does not feel remorse over Anne, feeling she has saved her from ruin. Anne, at Hever, declares she will never fall in love again, and plots revenge and her return to court. Mary becomes estranged from her husband. A year passes, and  Mary becomes pregnant with the King's child. Anne is permitted back at court, dutifully announcing she is grateful and will serve her family any way she can, although Mary is skeptical of her sincerity. The family plans for Anne to distract and amuse the King as Mary enters her confinement; but the King finds Anne to be more than a distraction, informing her that he finds her more attractive than Mary. Mary gives birth to a son, but the King now cares only for Anne. A devastated Mary leaves court, while Anne takes her place as the King's  new love. Mary reconciles with husband William, and they have a daughter; two years later, he dies from the sweating sickness. Anne is given new chambers and expensive gowns, and tells Mary that she needs her by her side at all times, so she is protected from scandal. Mary, shocked, reminds Anne of Henry Percy, and Anne replies that he was nothing to her, and that Mary is a traitor if she ever reveals the relationship. The King hears that Percy's wife is asking for a divorce, and informs Anne that they cannot be together if there was  a precontract between her and Percy. Suddenly faced with possible ruin, Anne pressures Mary to testify on her behalf that there was no betrothal. Realizing she can't keep the King waiting for consummation any longer, Anne spends a night of passion with him and becomes pregnant. The King finally divorces Catherine and marries Anne, who is crowned as queen. Anne gives birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, her hold on Henry begins to slip away, and the King takes a mistress. Mary sneaks away from court to see William Stafford, a former servant of the Boleyns, and accepts his marriage  proposal. Anne banishes Mary from court, telling her that such a lowly match has shamed the family. Anne makes a jealous scene in public and an angry Henry drives Anne to depart the room. Her uncle follows; when Anne demands respect her uncle informs her that she now has many enemies and leaves, Anne yelling after him. While visiting Wulfhall in Wiltshire, the King spends time with the daughter of the family, Jane Seymour, and greatly enjoys her company. Anne has two miscarriages and seems unlikely to bear a son. Upon finding a pamphlet depicting her decapitation, a panicked Anne  summons George and Mary, telling them the court wants her dead. Mary asks Anne when she last had sex with the King, and suggests she might have more success with a different man, implying that George and Anne should sleep together. George is horrified but when Anne begs on her knees for her brother to save her, he reluctantly consents. Anne reveals her pregnancy to a delighted King, but when she again miscarries, her days are numbered. George and several other men are taken to the Tower on charges of treason and adultery; Anne is next. In a final audience  with the King, she reminds him that he once loved her, and asks if he will take her away from their daughter. Proclaiming her innocence, she asks God to have mercy on his soul, and bidding farewell to Elizabeth, sings her a song as she is led away. Mary narrates that George, Anne and the men were all beheaded. She has left court with her children, and is happy with William Stafford. Production. The film had a low production budget of £750,000. It was shot at Berkeley Castle, adopting techniques unusual for an historical drama. Some scenes are shot  in a confessional straight-to-camera "video diary" style, and hand-held cameras are used. The cast spent four weeks in workshops improvising the script with the director. Critical reception. The camera work proved to be somewhat divisive for critics. "The Guardian"s Stuart Jeffries wrote that while some previewers thought it had "the feel of Peter Greenaway-lite", he found it interfered with the story, described as "a gripping, well-written narrative" and likened it to "NYPD Blue Visits Hampton Court".