I have not read the book and I will do so now after watching this film. I have read other people's reviews and it seems that the film left quite a lot of fact out which is why I want to read the book. I did really enjoy the film and it's worth a watch.

I'm a fan of the Tudor period and read a great number of factual books about the time so was disappointed with the novel upon which this movie is based. Gregory, the author takes great liberties with historical accuracy and the film does even more so. The costumes are so so, and the acting at times leaves much to be desired. There are events in the film not explained...such as the death of Mary Boleyn's first husband...he just disappears and next minute Mary is with someone else. Anne Boleyn was not a quivering wreck on the scaffold and Mary Boleyn was not present at the execution nor did she raise Elizabeth I as the film implies. I understand it is a costume drama so some liberties have to be taken but when people then believe all they see happened in that way it is unfair to the memory of the character's historical counterparts and to the history of England.

I watched this soon after reading the book. I adored the book so my expectations admittedly where a bit high. But I never thought the film could be that bad.

The book represents Anne really fighting to become queen but in the film she seems to get the crown with such little effort. Catherine (mary's daughter) is completely cut out of the film and many of the major bits don't exist.

My advice. Read the book forget the film!