On DVD: The Tudors The Complete First Season

Created By Michael Hirst

Starring Natalie Dormer, Nick Dunning, Sam Neil

I love the premium channel series, or at least I like to give them a shot because they are usually edgier, more lavish, and deeper than the more formulaic series found on the regular networks.  I missed season one of The Tudors, a 10 part series that aired on Showtime, so I'm happy to go back and check it out on DVD now.

The Movie

This series follows the political and sexual exploits of 16th century England's Henry VIII.  Now, we've seen his story before on film, and those previous films were a bit more representative of what Henry looked like.  This Henry is good looking, and almost emo-like, a very modern looking rendition of the character.  He struts and poses and chews scenery.  I thought of the hip re-envisioning of Romeo and Juliet.  This series takes the soundtrack more seriously and the dialogue is slightly more period correct but you'll be struck right away about how the pacing and assembly of this series is distinctly modern.

It's no secret that this series was to be a nighttime soap opera.  Those looking for deep plot and historic accuracy will definitely disappointed but if you're looking for melodrama including back stabbing, political and familial, and R rated sex then you'll have a great time with the series.  Imagine a nighttime soap with a big budget allowing for gorgeous costuming and sets above and beyond the standard as well as bringing in solid actors and you'll be on the right path.

So, the over the top nature of the series is defined but even with that formula, one I believe is too typical for a premium channel series, the lack of character development, the shallow character motivations, and the lack of focus on several important plot points are all strikes against the series.  The Tudors, at least for season one, is pure eye candy like a Harlequin period romance novel.  If you're into those books, then this is a must for you.

5/10

The Video

The video here is a mixed bag.  The widescreen presentation is vivid and colors overall look great but there are often compression issues, pixilation, and other artifacting issues.  The artifacts don't render the discs unwatchable but they are very irritating.

6/10

The Audio

The Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is clean and well balanced but very typical.  It sounds like most other television series DVD transfers we've seen.  It'll get the job done but it won't be what you pop in to demo your home theater.

7/10

Packaging and Bonus Features

The box art is pretty basic and to me not romance novel enough to truly represent the series for what it is.  I'd think a Fabio style cover would be really funny and representative for the series.

There are a few very brief featurettes totally around a half hour that look at the set design, costuming, and actual Tudors historical locations in England.  These featurettes are fairly interesting but way to brief to offer any real insight.

4/10

Soap opera fans should give this one a look, everyone else take a pass.

Overall (Not an Average) 5/10

The Review

The Movie 5/10

The Video 6/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 4/10

Overall (Not an Average) 5/10

-Stephen Lackey