The First Churchills

Historical drama at its very best.
Anyone seeking to widen their acquaintance with either history or historical drama need look no further than this wonderful BBC set from 1969.

Based on Winston Churchill's Marlborough: His Life and Times, this production is virtually faultless in scripting, acting, direction, costumes and just about everything else. All the settings are completely believable (putting French television's Les rois maudits into unfavourable contrast); even the battle scenes are convincingly done, although the cast is not huge.

But dominating everything is the magnificent performance of Susan Hampshire as Sarah Churchill, which justly won her an Emmy; right now I can't think of a more commanding performance in any medium, even Paul Scofield's Thomas More. Neither are any of the supporting cast less than first rate — I must make...

Fascinating Historical Drama
This 12-episode series of the life and turbulent times of John Churchill and wife Sarah in the revolving-door House of Stuart England is beautifully done and totally engrossing. Churchill, the brilliant general and ancestor of the equally brilliant Sir Winston,is played by John Neville in an admirable performance and his fiery wife, Sarah, by Susan Hampshire in a bravura one.However, all the acting is of the highest order and the political and royal figures of the time are fleshed out admirably. The story, of course, needs no embellishment to be fascinating, what with the constant intrigues and political skulduggery that went on in 17th century England. This is a wonderful, painless way to add to your education about that era and the men and women who were the movers and shakers in the court and on the battlefield, and the central figures of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough constitute one of the great historical love matches. Highly recommended.

More Than Historical Drama
I find it curious that this twelve-part miniseries, classified as historical drama and remembered for its commencement of PBS's Masterpiece Theatre, had its premiere long before social history formed the thrust of so much historical research. On the one hand, it seems that the creators of this series have given us a magnificent retrospective of Charles II's era: all the pageantry, artistry, politics, religious fervor; petty alliances,lifelong allegiances,blessed triumphs, ill-fated outcomes. On the other hand, it is impossible to ignore what may be this drama's most outstanding offering -- thanks to a truly memorable cast: its universal human appeal. Each episode is its own rich survey of humanity. Enter the future Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, ever loyal and loveable (John Neville and Susan Hampshire), and the ever vital role they played in the court of Charles II and each of his "Stuart" successors.

A second noteworthy feature is this drama's psychological...

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