Anne of a Thousand Days - 1969

Oscar winning epic film depicting the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, second wife to Henry VIII.

Anne by the fountain at Penshurst Place © Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures
Director: Charles Jarrott

Writers: Maxwell Anderson (Play), Bridget Boland (Screenplay writer), John Hale (Screenplay writer), Richard Sokolove (adaptation)

Kent Filming Locations: Hever, Hever Castle, Penshurst and Penshurst Place

: Geneviève Bujold as Anne © Universal Pictures

Based on the Broadway play by Maxwell Anderson, Anne of a Thousand Days is an account of the rise and fall of the beautiful and ambitious Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold), second wife of the tyrannical Henry VIII (Richard Burton).

The film was nominated for 10 Oscars in 1970, including best picture and won best costume design. It also won Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actress and Best Director.

Hever Castle in Kent was an obvious setting for some of the film since it was the original home of the Boleyn family. It is for this reason that Hever has been used for various Tudor recreations including the 1997 Henry VIII mini series, written by David Starkey and the 1979 adaptation of Shakespeares Henry VIII., as well as the TV series, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII).

The stunning Kentish scenery of both Hever and Penshurst bought this oscar winning tale to life. Hever provided the film with Anne's real life childhood home and the backdrop of her courtship with Henry. The Castle is now open as a visitor attraction and includes many 16th century Tudor portraits, furniture and tapestries. The castle also displays two prayer books, signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn. Penshurst Place's stunning formal gardens provided the setting for the Tudor Garden in the film. The Gardens, arranged into "garden rooms" each with a different style and character are also open to visitors between March and November.

[Hollie Snelson]

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Anne of a Thousand Days - 1969

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