Powerful life of Cromwell
“CROMWELL” Starring Richard Harris, Alec Guinness, Robert Morley, Dorothy Tutin, Frank Finlay, Patrick Wymark, Patrick Magee. Directed by Ken Hughes. RCA - Columbia/Hoyts. 134 min. PG. Oliver Cromwell was one of the most arresting, revolutionary and difficult figures in the dazzling sequence of colourful characters that make up English history.
Born a commoner, Cromwell (Richard Harris) scaled the heights of power through Parliament to become the only man in the 1000-year documented history of Britain to execute a king.
His rough army of citizens, using principles of
warfare centuries ahead of their time, defeated the luxuriously-armed forces of King Charles I (Alec Guinness), led by the greatest generals of Europe.
As Grand Protector, Cromwell was the most powerful ruler of the British Isles — a reign that changed the course of western civilisation and ushered in the Modern Age.
The clash of these two great figures, Cromwell and the enigmatic and forceful Charles I, is fought in castle corridors, in Parliament, and finally in a sweeping battle between their two armies.
This powerful story, written and directed by Ken Hughes, unfolds
majestically against a backdrop of pageant, bloody battle and the agonies of a country torn by a bitter civil war. It spectacularly records the last flourish of the decadent Cavaliers and the obdurate zeal of the insurgent Puritans. Richard Harris gives a fine performance as Oliver Cromwell, while Alec Guinness is once again superb as the stuffy Charles I.
Stratford Johns, Dorothy Tutin, Frank Finlay and Robert Morley head a supporting cast with a scale of talent to match the awesome subject.
“Cromwell” is one of those enduring screen epics that bears viewing again and again.
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Press, 30 September 1986, Page 11
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279Powerful life of Cromwell Press, 30 September 1986, Page 11
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