The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)

Charles Laughton was and still is the best actor to have portrayed King Henry VIII.  He just nails down the look and a goofy royal authority that's so memorable.  This film by Sir Alexander Korda is a well-crafted and darkly humorous look into eighth Henry's marriages.  When the kingdom attends the beheading of Anne Boyeln it's like a Football game.  The highlight of the film is when Mr. Laughton's real wife Elsa Lanchester arrives from Frances as Anne of Cleves.  Their marriage night is alone well worth watching.  Basically this is an old film that feels old only by the fact that the sound pops some and the picture isn't that clear, but the ideas and sense of humor are very current.  Grade: A-