Despite its dramatic potential, the Cromwellian era has inspired relatively few media creatons. This page reviews some of the works currently available. The opinions expressed here are those of the author of this site. If you want to add a review of a relevant book, CD or DVD (or to give an alternative viewpoint) please contact me.
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Freeborn John (2007)
Live DVD and audio CD double pack, featuring Rev Hammer, Maddy Prior, Rory McLeod, Romney Getty, the Levellers and others
Released 19 May 2007 at Burford Levellers Day
Rev Hammer's musical tribute to the Leveller leader John Lilburne was originally recorded in 1996. This DVD and audio CD is a live recording of the whole piece as performed before an enthusiastic audience at the Beautiful Days Festival in August 2005. Hammer's songs follow Lilburne from his youth as a Puritan activist, through his military service, the rise and fall of the Leveller movement, to his exile and final imprisonment. The lyrics have the gritty flavour of authentic folksong and the songs are performed by a cast of folk/indie/roots music luminaries that includes Rev Hammer himself as Lilburne, Maddy Prior as Elizabeth Lilburne and Justin Sullivan as a Roundhead soldier. The excellent backing band is mostly recruited from New Model Army and includes jazzman Harry S. Fulcher on sax and clarinet. The Levellers (band) contribute the rousing and ironically-titled Burford Stomp. The DVD also includes glimpses of a battle re-enactment staged at the festival by the English Civil War Society — civil war buffs will regret that this was not featured more extensively. The package includes an informative 32-page booklet that gives all the lyrics and a good biography of Lilburne. Overall, a stirring tribute to a great English radical.
Rev Hammer website (includes sample downloads)
Rev Hammer on MySpace (includes streaming audio and downloads)
To Kill a King (2003)
Director: Mike Barker
Starring : Tim Roth, Dougray Scott, Rupert Everitt, Olivia Williams
This film sets out to explore the relationship between Sir Thomas Fairfax and his deputy Oliver Cromwell at the time of the trial and execution of King Charles — a potentially interesting premise that quickly devolves into fantasy with only tenuous links to historical fact. Tim Roth's portrayal of Cromwell is almost diametrically opposed to the characterisation in the 1970 Ken Hughes epic (reviewed below). Roth's Cromwell is a fanatical thug intent on destroying the King and seizing power for himself. He personally tortures and murders his opponents and institutes a reign of terror, Robespierre-style, to stifle opposition. The aristocratic and moderate Tom Fairfax (played by Dougray Scott) is torn between loyalty to his old comrade-in-arms and his duty to the nation. Encouraged by the lovely Lady Anne Fairfax (played by Olivia Williams), he refuses to wear the black leather "republican uniform" insisted upon by Cromwell and plots to shoot him at his inauguration as Lord Protector. I can't go on. Oliver Cromwell may be a controversial figure, but this film is a travesty of history.
Internet Movie Database entry on To Kill a King
Winstanley (1975)
Directors: Kevin Brownlow, Andrew Mollo
Starring : Miles Halliwell, Jerome Willis, Terry Higgins, Tom Haydon
A low-key, independently-produced portrayal of the attempt by Gerard Winstanley to set up a utopian Digger community in the aftermath of the civil war. Filmed in black-and-white, it is meticulously researched and highly atmospheric, with a convincing period feel. Directors Kevin Brownlow and Andrew Mollo use a non-professional cast which sometimes brings a documentary or "reality tv" quality to the film. Miles Halliwell gives a dignified and moving portrayal of the idealist Winstanley (though his middle-class accent is a little incongruous) and 70s hippy activist Sid Rawle does a great turn as a freeloading Ranter who disrupts the community. Central to the film is Winstanley's effort to persuade Sir Thomas Fairfax of the righteousness of his utopian vision in order to gain the support of the New Model Army. Although initially sympathetic, Fairfax must balance idealism with the practicalities of settling the government of post-revolution England. Meanwhile, the forces of reaction are closing in. A thoughtful, haunting piece of work.
Internet Movie Database entry on Winstanley
Cromwell (1970)
Director: Ken Hughes
Starring: Richard Harris, Alec Guinness, Robert Morley, Dorothy Tutin, Timothy Dalton
A big-budget epic directed by Ken Hughes that purports to tell the story of Oliver Cromwell's role in the English Civil War and its aftermath. Richard Harris stars as Cromwell, but it is Alec Guinness's superb portrayal of King Charles that steals the show. The film is visually stunning with colourful sets and costumes and spectacular (if inaccurate) battle scenes. Apart from the irony of an Irishman playing Oliver Cromwell, Richard Harris's performance seems a little overblown. He resorts to one of two modes for every occasion: either intense and brooding, or swaggering and shouting. From the historical perspective, the film's portrayal of Cromwell as a "people's hero" and prototype champion of democracy is dubious to say the least. In the context of the 1970s, however, it represents a shift away from the stereotype of the Puritan killjoy towards a more rounded view of the enigmatic Cromwell. With the exception of King Charles, all the rest of the characterisations tend to be one-dimensional, like a tableau version of history, and the film is riddled with historical blunders and inaccuracies that make it annoying (or hilarious) to watch if you are seriously interested in the era.
Worth seeing for the pageantry and Alec Guinness's performance, but not to be taken too seriously.