Page 93 - All About History 55 - 2017 UK

Reviews

FOUR PRINCES: HENRY VIII, FRANCIS I, CHARLES V, EUROPE
SULEIMAN THE MAGNIFICENT AND THE
MODERN
FORGED
THAT
OBSESSIONS
The larger-than-life rulers that defined the 16th century
Author John Julius Norwich Publisher John Murray Price £9.99 Released Out now

he allure of kings and queens of old is The celebrated historian certainly revels in
probably in part their opulence — the the witty remarks and anecdotes he shares.
exquisite clothes, elaborate feasts and One gem is a report from a Venetian envoy,
handsome palaces — and few shone quizzed at length on Francis’ figure by Henry.
Tmore brightly than the four great When told the French king had a “spare” leg,
monarchs that take centre stage in John Henry “opened the front of his doublet and,
Julius Norwich’s latest book. placing his hand on his thigh, said: ‘Look
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Henry here: I too have a good calf to my leg.’” This
VIII of England, Francis I of France and rivalry intensified when Francis and Henry
Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent met in 1520 at the ludicrously lavish Field of
were sometimes friends, more often enemies the Cloth of Gold, where they both postured
and always rivals possessing “elements of to their hearts’ content.
greatness”, but they were all prone to making Sadly the monarchs’ immediate successors
disastrous decisions. were not up to the task, a sentiment very
After introducing us to the four — pious firmly expressed by Norwich: “[Philip II,
Charles, conqueror Suleiman, charming ladies’ Charles’ heir] was lugubrious, sanctimonious
man Francis and popular (at least with his and more devout than even his father had
subjects) Henry — Norwich delves into their been, though nowhere near so intelligent.”
reigns through key themes such as war, Summing up his ingenious book,
family, culture and religion and illustrates just Norwich declares there has never been so
how much of an imprint they left on their grand and eventful a half-century in history —
respective countries and the continent. and he’s probably right.

THE PROMISE

The Armenian genocide as soap opera melodrama

Certificate: 12A Director: Terry George Cast: Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale,
Jean Reno, Charlotte Le Bon Released: 29 August (Digital Download);
4 September (Blu-ray, DVD)
erry George’s admirably mounted meets Ana (Le Bon), a Paris-raised fellow
but turgid melodrama weds together Armenian employed as a governess.
a grand love story against the early Betrothed to a great beauty back home,
days of the Armenian genocide. The Mikael and Ana begin an illicit affair when
TPromise boasts handsome production love’s young dream is interrupted by the
values and handsomer stars in Oscar Isaac, Ottoman crackdown on Armenians during
Charlotte Le Bon and Christian Bale, but it the outbreak of the Great War. If that wasn’t
never brings its twin concerns to vivid life, enough drama, Ana’s boyfriend, American
instead relying on cheesy plotting, corny journalist Chris Myers (Bale), is attempting
dialogue and soap opera dynamics. to expose crimes against humanity while
There can be no doubt of Terry George’s holding on to Ana.
good intentions, and the subject raises vital Director George clearly modelled his film
awareness of hugely controversial actions by on the past masterpieces of David Lean
the Ottoman government (Turkey still refuses (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, Brief
to recognise its treatment of the Armenians Encounter) and believed audiences would be
as genocide), but it’s simply riddled with too thoroughly gripped by the battle between
many Hollywood clichés. personal and political woes.
Mikael Boghossian (Isaac) is a young The Promise is gorgeously photographed,
Armenian apothecary who moves to impeccably acted and curiously bland. It
Constantinople to study medicine. While wants your tears and your heart to ache,
living with his merchant uncle, he but will achieve neither.
93