The Untold Story of Henry VIII and Catherine Parr: A Tumultuous Relationship Revealed

In a gripping narrative brought to life by the performances of Jude Law and Alicia Vikander, the film ‘Firebrand’ explores the tumultuous relationship between Henry VIII and his sixth wife, Catherine Parr. Despite being known as the lucky survivor of the infamous Tudor king’s wives, Catherine faced grave danger when Henry grew disillusioned with her religious views. As the queen advocated for reforms that pushed the English church further away from Catholicism, the paranoid monarch signed a warrant for her arrest on charges of heresy. The conservative Catholic faction at court saw an opportunity to eliminate Catherine and convinced Henry that she needed to be punished. Through the intense battle of wills between the king and queen, ‘Firebrand’ unravels the true story of Catherine Parr’s near brush with death and the power dynamics within Henry VIII’s court. Based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s novel ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and directed by Karim Aïnouz, this film sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Tudor history filled with intrigue, betrayal, and survival against all odds.