Excellent but underrated film

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

If anyone knows how to make films about kings and queens, it the British. I wasn't wrote sure what to expect from this tale as I knew the story of Henry VIII and had read that this version had been lost for some time. It appears the camera negative was misplaced and now it has been found. This is all to the betterment of the film and the film maker, who in the DVD extras explains what happened.The story of an abandoned manor house where an injured Henry comes to seek refuge was no doubt one that was convenient for a film maker looking for an economic way to tell his tale. Once the film is underway you feel a real sense of damp presence and foreboding haunting. The mix of performances (with TP McKenna coming out clearly on top) makes this an unusual experiences but one that I can recommend. A change from the usual costume fare, this is one to be watched with the drapes closed and the doors firmly locked!!

I was lucky enough to see this film at the cinema when it was released and now have my DVD copy in this beautifully remastered version.Great performances by the late TP McKenna; Jean March and Peter Miles, of Doctor Who fame.The film which is shot at Charlton House, with its dark and sinister interiors which really lends itself to the nature of this broody and macabre film.There is also a small cast which I think has helped play with the uncomfortable feel you get of the surroundings.The soundtrack comprising of a chamber sized orchestra and I believe some crash cymbals all help enhance the mood of the film throughout.This movie is definitely a must have to go with your DVD collection.

Brave attempt to tell the Henry VIII story with a small budget and cast pays off well for film maker John Walsh. The claustrophobic atmosphere and twenty four our time span of the narrative was well ahead of its time. Nice to hear the film is getting the full HD treatment, those dark damp corridors of the 16th century will benefit from a 21st century remastering. This film certainly punches well above its weight and shows that a debut feature does not have to be a kitchen sink drama or a 'mockney' crime caper. When a house is closed for the season the grounds keeper's son is left to keep an eye on things. Little does he think that an injured hunting party will breakthrough on a stormy night, bringing with them a deadly intention that starts to unfold as the night draws in.

The late T.P. McKenna will soon be making a comeback of sorts with the re-release of 'Monarch' on blu-ray. This was a film feature he made in 1996 for John Walsh making his drama debut. The enterprising young graduate of the London Film School aimed high with a part-fact/part-fiction account of an isolated King Henry VIII in the last year of his life who, after he is injured on a hunting trip, is forced to take refuge in a strange manor house, well away from the protection of his palaces and his court. There are fears of enemies within and without the walls as the king glowers in a virtual state of persecution. In his delirium a conflation of his wives attends his bedside (all played by Jean Marsh). Even Ebenezer Scrooge only had to cope with three ghosts in the one night. Cinematographer, Ray Andrew (noted for his camera work on The Shining, Das Boot and An American Werewolf In London) enhances the film's tension with a subdued, almost Stygian lighting plot providing each frame with a painterly quality. This is an assured feature film debut by John Walsh, however, it might be said to be a matter of regret that his notable successes as an award-winning documentary film maker have kept him from following up on his success with Monarch. Perhaps, with the restoration of the original negative for its blu-Ray release, Walsh will be inspired to return to the dramatic form. For now, a distinct gem of a movie has been remounted and will soon be ready for a whole new audience.