A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII.

One exterior shot shows Penshurst Place is shown as Anne Boleyn's family home. She actually grew up at Hever Castle in Kent.

Sir Thomas Boleyn:
[regarding the punishment for Anne's secret marriage] You will be sent to France and stay there until you've learned your lesson.


Anne Boleyn:
What? No! Father, please!


Sir Thomas Boleyn:
How can you have done this? You knew full well that Mary's friendship with the king is at an extremely delicate state! Any scandal, any mark upon her name could be fatal!


The Duke of Norfolk:
You will be sent to join the court of the French queen and stay there until your father has forgiven you.


Anne Boleyn:
[crying, runs into the hall where Mary is waiting] You told them didn't you?


Mary Boleyn:
It was for your own good. You never would have gotten away with it. It would have ruined your prospects forever.


Anne Boleyn:
[still crying] Really? For my good? Well, I'll try to remind myself of that while I'm in exile, and you're here in the king's bed, not challenged for our father's affection! That it was for my good and not yours!

[running down the hall, leaving Mary]


Mary Boleyn:
Anne!

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Although Mary is referred to in the film as the younger sister, most historians today are convinced that she was the eldest girl. Her date of birth is circa 1499, while Anne is believed to have been born in the early 1500s (historians continually debate between 1501 and 1507). The book that the film is based on was written with Mary as the younger sister, so the film itself makes no mistake in this arrangement.

(traditional)