Note. There are frequent references to sex acts. However, the thrust of this piece is to show how a film handles sex and lust and power.
My story is in this format to show King John's psychological make up in a favourable light. It avoids detailing the frequent sieges and battles that he fought. This is why the action takes place in Marlborough Castle (the ruins are now inside Marlborough College) on "The Mound". Marlborough Castle was reputably King John's favourite occasional residence.
It also details the effect of being an actress in such a sex based film.
Enjoy.
INTRODUCTIONS
My name is Pauline Saunders and I am a 40 year old actress. In my youth I had hoped to take Broadway by storm, but it didn't happen. I got solid parts in off-Broadway productions and that was my highest achievement.
Any over 30 year old actress struggles to get a decent role. This applies even if you are a world wide recognised actress. Apparently the camera no longer loves actresses when their faces and boobs go south.
I was reduced to walk on parts with only a few lines or none at all. My husband Chris says that I would be happy to be a stage hand if it helped to mount a major production. I tell him that stage hands are as skilled in their arts as we actors and actresses and directors and lighting people and prompts.
It is only because I love the stage that I continue. to go to auditions. My agent has to work hard to get me those auditions.
It's only because of the financial and moral support of my husband that I can continue my quest for stardom. Chris comes to watch me and, to be open and honest, he has seen me in some pretty poor shows. But, never once has Chris stopped supporting me.
MY AFFAIR
Six years ago I had an affair. Chris managed to overcame his anger when I slept with another actor. It was a tense time and he considered filing for divorce. But he stuck with me. That affair was the worst decision of my whole life. If I could go back and relive my life it wouldn't include that sordid episode.
It still rankles with Chris that this actor now is a household name. Shortly after that stage show, Hollywood came a calling for him. His agent got him a 3 picture deal. That 3 film deal led to better contracts and then major parts in theatres across the globe. On principle we never go to see his films or speak his name, even though my dalliance was 15 years ago. I told Chris that the actor wasn't good in bed and that helps him to cope with my betrayal. It wasn't a lie. The actor was really bad at sex despite his large penis.
The star was a lousy lay. Maybe that's why he hasn't got married. Once women get to know he is bad in bed they leave him. Money and fame haven't helped him find a soul mate. I am lucky that I have a soulmate in Chris.
But even soulmates have their limits and a film offer was to test even Chris's devotion to our marriage.
THE FILM OFFER
My agent had worked hard to get them to offer me a major part of the film version of King John's life. It is taken entirely from his viewpoint. I was to play the part of his first true love. I was to act the part of the 36 year old, eldest daughter of the Earl of Southampton. My husband is a Baron who is away on a Crusade and may not ever return. There is a tension in my character's romance with the 23 year Prince. I want him but also want to remain faithful.
JOHN IS NOT BAD
Most people think that John was a bad King. This film shows that he reacted to events. It implies that no one could have done any better, given the historical predicament he inherited. That re-evaluation alone should help box office.
In the film John is in a church seeing a "Last Judgement, with Christ in Majesty dividing men into the saved and the damned". The film will show John seeing several kings in full regalia on the side of the damned.
A Bishop says to John "Think of the great risks which rulers are taking when they are set up with authority over others but cannot control themselves and end up perpetually tortured by devils.'
John then replies "The procession of the saved includes other kings. They are the ones I intend to imitate and whose company I shall join.'
John is also shown to want to have the loving marriage his father had. His mother had been unhappily married before but had found her soulmate in his father. The fact that his father and mother had 8 children together is proof of their love for each other.
The film shows that I am like his mother. It implies I could have saved him from being perpetually tortured by earthly devils as much as his own psychology.
EXPLICIT SCENES
The film was explicit unlike my usual theatre pieces. Prior to my character appearing the lead character is seen with "commoner wenches". He is also shown as a voyeur to a lengthy and explicit lesbian scene. He is also seen having sex with both of the lesbian sisters. The lesbian sisters are seen having to confess and receive the proscribed punishment. The punishment for "any woman who practices vice with another woman was to do penance for three years." They have to do arduous works of charity once every week for 3 years in addition to their charity works of the 4 Great Feast Days.
The film compares this lenient punishment with that given to lesbian women in prison who used dildos on other women and received up to 200 lashes. It never hurts an Oscar panel to consider favourably a film if it portrays an unjust (to the common people) society. This social injustice is not rammed down the audience's throat but by the use of 3 sentences of dialogue, warning the lesbian sisters what punishment they might get.
MY AGENT SELLS THE FILM TO ME
My agent assured me that the film is historically accurate. He felt that it was theatrically necessary to the plot that I showed the emotions and sexuality of being John's only true love. It would be a well financed high quality piece of eroticism. The film rights alone had cost $100,000 (not including a profit share) and John would be played by a major actor.
My agent assured me that this was not a porn film. He characterised it as an even more erotic alternative to "Fatal Attraction". He assured me that there would be no bunnies being boiled.
He sold me the idea of the relevance of the nude scenes between John and my stage character. This relationship had, according to the historical research, a profound effect on John. It led directly to the Baron's revolt and King John's downfall.
