FILM
REVIEW – TO KILL A KING
Disappointing in many respects, despite mostly
decent acting and often excellent cinema photography.
Plot wise, the film claims to be the story of
the disputes arising between Cromwell and Fairfax in the years betwixt the
English Civil War Battle Of Naseby and Cromwell’s death. Flaws arise from the
outset with the announcement that the king (Rupert Everett is very good as
Charles 1) has already been caught as the corpses are dealt with at After the
decisive battle (even though he wasn’t captured there and then by any
definition).
Cromwell is depicted as some lowly soldier
who is prepared to personally guard Fairfax’s tent following an abortive
assassination attempt on Fairfax, and later, Fairfax, having attended Charles
1’s trial, with his wife, lady Fairfax, and both walking out in its midst on
principle, ?????? Fairfax is increasingly shocked by the sheer thuggery of
Cromwell’s regime, and personal tendency to kill all in his site . Cromwell has
a suspected traitor executed and the victim’s head is waved at Fairfax. After
Charles is chopped up, a street hawker tries to sell ghoulish souvenirs and
Cromwell personally shoots him on sight, leading Fairfax to try to personally
engineer an assassination attempt through a third party, at Cromwell’s
‘coronation’ as Lord Protector, only to then have doubts and personally shove
Cromwell clear at the last minute and even confess very publicly to the event,
- Cromwell calls for Fairfax to be killed off, but no guards intervene and all
London rejoices as Fairfax walks off calmly to freedom, only popping back to
visit Cromwell on his deathbed, when even Cromwell forgives him. As ludicrous
as a sitcom, and very straight-faced about it..... fun, but not history by any
angle......
© Copyright. Arthur Chappell
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