People praised the film, saying it was ‘underrated’ (file) (Image: FILM STILL / HANDOUT)
If you’ve binged all your favourite shows and you’re looking to fill a TV-shaped hole in your life, then look no further, as people have praised this historical film for being better than you think, and it even stars a famous face from Adolescence. Erin Doherty, who played Briony Ariston in the acclaimed drama, appears in Firebrand, which was released in 2023. It’s based on the 2013 novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle, and you can watch it on Amazon Prime right now.
Firebrand is a historical drama film set in Tudor England which centres around Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII. As Henry’s health declines and his paranoia grows, Catherine, played by Alicia Vikander, must navigate the treacherous politics of the royal court to protect herself and those she loves.
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The film explores themes of female agency, power, and survival in a dangerous era. Erin Doherty appears in the film as Anne Askew, a real-life Protestant martyr and friend to Catherine Parr. Anne’s storyline highlights the risks faced by women who challenged the religious and social norms of the time.
The movie offers a fresh, feminist perspective of the time, focusing not on men, but on the resilience and courage of women during the time, in a strict, patriarchal society.
On Reddit’s Tudor History forum, one woman recommended the film, saying that it is “very underrated”, as is Catherine Parr as a person. Others chimed in to share their opinions and thoughts about the movie, with many saying that the “costumes were divine”.
Someone wrote: “Didn’t care for the storyline (the ending!) but good lord those costumes were divine. Might be my favourite Tudor costumes ever. Loved that they went for the French hoods with the straps, you don’t see that in a lot of adaptations. I thought their Elizabeth was quite striking as well, even if I didn’t always care for her heavy makeup.”
Another wrote: “I liked all the children in this film. And Henry’s nastiness with all of them, even his prized son, was hauntingly believable. All because they dared to sincerely like Catherine.”
One woman praised: “I loved the general atmosphere of the movie (maybe not the ending though). Jude Law did a brilliant job as Henry and Alicia as Catherine; in actual fact, all of the actors were good. I wish becoming Elizabeth had continued. I loved Mary and Edward.”
Somebody agreed, saying: “Yeah, he did an amazing job. I had to remind myself it was Jude Law and not the real Henry Tudor. He really, really did his homework”.
Another penned: “Jude Law as grotesque, sociopathic Henry VIII was unrecognisable. He literally turned my stomach in a few scenes, and people who have seen the film know what I am referring to.
“Very entertaining and well-acted. But Tudor buffs who value strict historical accuracy should be pre-warned.”
“I was really enjoying it up until the ending— and then I couldn’t finish. But the first 3/4 was excellent!” a Redditor shared.
“It was a great and uncomfortable watch,” a fan said, with another totally agreeing, writing: “Highly uncomfortable, but that’s how it was the last 10 years of his reign; it was horrifying. No one knew what they were getting into when they were around him. How would he be one day to the next? Toward the end, they were begging for him to die…”
Will you be giving this film a go? Let us know in the comments…
