To Kill A King (2003)

To Kill a King Crowning Achievement

To Kill a King is mesmerizing. It is an epic tale, brilliantly captured cinematographically and presented in a way that all sides of the issue, from Oliver Cromwell to Thomas Fairfax and King Charles, are understood without any of the major players being demonized. What really makes this such an engrossing movie, however, are the performances of Tim Roth (Cromwell), Charles 1 (Rupert Everett) and Fairfax (Dougray Scott). Told from Fairfax's narrative, the movie shows the strengths and weaknesses of each person without condemnation. Scott is especially effective as the man torn in three by his best friend, his wife, and his king but who yields in the end to no one but his own moral code. June 16, 2008

A Tedious Account Set in the English Civil War

To Kill A King is a tedious account of an argument between Oliver Cormwell and Lord Fairfax, two leaders of the Roundhead faction in the English Civil War, as to whether or not to execute King Charles I. May 15, 2008

A Tedious Account of the English Civil War

To Kill A King is a tedious account of an argument between Oliver Cromwell and one of his subordinates, Lord Fairfax, over whether or not to execute King Charles I. The film views like an obscure British television show of the sort that is sometimes still shown on Masterpiece Theater. Alright for history buffs, but otherwise avoid. May 15, 2008

Enjoyed this movie

Our family greatly enjoys historically based movies such as this one. My teenage boys have viewed it numerous times. Great acting, costuming, story and interesting plot. Would definitely recommend this one. May 15, 2008

emotionally-moving perfection

This is an extraordinary and emotionally-moving historical drama, one of the best films I've seen in recent years, a beautiful symphony of actors, direction, cinematography, script, costumes, music, editing and direction. There isn't a false note anywhere. Not many films can boast that. The cast is uniformly close to perfection, particularly Dougray Scott(playing Sir Thomas Fairfax) and the beautiful Olivia Williams (as his wife Lady Anne.) Their realistic emotional interplay, with their characters almost painfully at odds at times, is breathtaking to behold, helped by a very literate script.

The film concentrates on the bond--almost a mutual love--bewteen Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, and the interplay of Lady Anne to this bond. Never do the historical aspects of the film overshadow the emotional aspects. That's a difficult balancing act, and only a few great directors (notably David Lean) have been able to pull it off successfully. I would add this film to that list. It deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

My only small gripe is that the DVD doesn't have any subtitles to choose from; there are times when the dialogue is difficult to understand--at least from this American viewer's point of view. British audiences would probably have no problem with it.


April 29, 2008

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