|
| To Kill a King | 
| Director: N/a
Actors: John-paul Macleod, Corin Redgrave, Jessica Hazel, Tim Roth, Melissa Knatchbull
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Category: DVD
List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $1.58
You Save: $25.40 (94%)
New (51) from $1.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  48 reviews
Sales Rank: 29332
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 102 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
MPN: ANBD72173D
UPC: 013137217395
EAN: 0013137217395
ASIN: B0010SAGGE
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW - FACTORY SEALED - SHIPPED FIRST CLASS WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION
|
| Customer Reviews:
 The great movie treatment of this story has yet to be made.... March 16, 2008
"To Kill A King" is a 2003 film primarily about the relationship between Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell following the battles of the English Civil War. The movie appears to have bypassed theaters almost entirely and has taken five years to make it to DVD release, not surprising given the high brow connotation of the subject and the low brow nature of audiences.
The story is told from the point of view of Sir Thomas Fairfax (Dougray Scott), a nobleman who became the Lord General of the Parliamentary forces. What comes across in the film is that Fairfax has gone against his class to do what he thought was right in opposing the oppression of the monarchy. Fairfax is a brilliant general, and a man with a truly noble character. He is beloved by the men he leads in battle, and he is loved by the population at large. Fairfax loves his wife, his unborn son, his hereditary estate - and, for reasons which are not made clear in this movie, he loves Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell's frequent gratuitous acts of violence or petty acts of tyranny to those around him, including his wife, contrast sharply with Fairfax's native nobility and leadership. Tim Roth has made a career of portraying psychopaths and Cromwell is no exception. A would be assassin raises a blade against Cromwell; Fairfax fells the man with a well placed bullet; Cromwell must go over and repeatedly kick the wounded man as he lies on the ground. Or in another scene, Cromwell rides through London and spots an elderly street vendor selling Charles I relics. Cromwell shoots the man twice, once shattering his leg and the second time tearing his throat. He then rides off unconcerned, leaving Fairfax to put the old man out of his misery.
Fairfax has envisioned the result of the war to be parliamentary checks on the power of the king. He is horrified by the warrant calling for the king's execution, and will not sign it. He is horrified once again when Cromwell declares himself Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. As the most popular figure to emerge from the Civil War, Fairfax feels it is his duty to do something to stop the man that Cromwell has become. At the same time, Fairfax is torn because of their close friendship.
Much has been made of the budget problems on this film. I don't think the budgetary problems are visually apparent on the screen. There are plenty of elaborate costumes, horses, castles, and on location footage. If what was missing was additional battle scenes then I, for one, didn't miss them. The film has plenty of violence, but considering the 17th century subject it doesn't go over the top.
Where the film should have spent more money was in the writing. The events surrounding the English Civil Wars should be a writer's paradise of heroes, villains, intrigue, regicide, and more. "To Kill A King" comes across tame. Comparisons to 1970's "Cromwell" are inevitable. "Cromwell" was a problematic film but, compared to this one, it had a script that dripped poetry and fire. Tim Roth is no Richard Harris. Alec Guinness did much more with the character of Charles I than Rupert Everett, but Everett was brave to take it on and did an adequate job considering the script. That being said, the great movie treatment of this epic story has yet to be made.
The DVD special features are practically non-existent. There is a "behind the scenes" feature that doesn't add much to the package, and several trailers for other releases. (I find it irritating when non-related trailers are used to pad out the "special features" section of DVDs.) There are no captions or subtitles available.
The "To Kill A King" DVD package gets three stars from me. If you're looking for a costume drama, this isn't bad. If you're looking for history, you had better pick up a book.
 3.5 star drama. Tim Roth is excellent! March 15, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have been watching a lot of historical dramas lately, and was glad to be able to receive an advance copy of To Kill a King to review. Although it wasn't excellent, it was good and definitely held my interest.
Both Tim Roth and Dougray Scott were excellent as Cromwell and Fairfax, respectively. Rupert Everett also did a very good job as King Charles. The cinematography was beautiful and the film was able to depict both the grandeur and the grittiness of the era.
This is really a character study of Cromwell and Fairfax and the movie does a good job of showing the interaction of the two as well as the politics during the time of the English Civil War.
Wake me when it is over... March 9, 2008
I read a brief synop about this movie several years ago in a movie industry magazine and thought it sounded interesting. I anxiously awaited its release.
Years of anticipation, waiting eagerly for the release of a film starring a load of talented actors, about a fascinating, turbulent time in history were for NAUGHT.
This movie was an utter, utter disappointment. With a score of fantastically talented actors (Everett, Roth, Scott), a riveting plot (revoultion and regicide - come on!), and an interesting setting, this movie still sunk like a lead balloon.
Slow. Ponderous. Impressed with it's weight. Bogged down with poorly written dialogue. Lacking deft characterizations that would make this a compelling story, or at the very least, something to keep you from clicking the DVD off and tuning instead to a rerun of The Tudors.
In short, after years of waiting, I am left miserably diappointed.
Interesting. And bland. March 6, 2008
"To Kill a King" covers what should be an interesting story in history. However, it fails in presenting either a compelling plot or character development. It felt at times as if the director was just trying to film a dramatization (a documentary) instead of actually pulling viewers into his tale.
I understand that this film had budget problems. However, money isn't the problem. We didn't need to have bloody battle scenes to tell this story. There was more than enough political intrigue to go around. Most of it, unfortunately, seems to have been left in the history books and never made it into this film. Some of the best films ever made are just about the development and evolution of characters without much emphasis on plot. The characters in "To Kill a King" are just flat.
The story of how the King of England was overthrown always interested me. Not that I'm well read on the topic. Rather, personally disliking the whole concept of a monarchy the story of Oliver Cromwell intrigued me. But that's as far as it went.
After watching this film I went and finally read up a little on the topic. What I read was better than this film.
If you're dedicated to watching historical dramas then you might give this one a look. If not, there's no compelling reason to spend your time watching this under developed movie.
engrossing film.... March 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The year is 1645 King Charles is overthrown. Two old friends rejoice the hard-fought victory, Lord General Thomas Fairfax and Deputy General Oliver Cromwell. It is apparent soon after the king is dethroned that though they both are rejoicing what this will mean for the people they have separate ideas of what should occur next. Cromwell, played by Tim Roth is outspoken, arrogant and passionate in his beliefs. He immediately orders a death warrant for King Charles (played wonderfully by Rupert Everett). Fairfax is the charismatic one, he wants justice at all costs but is the only one that refuses to sign the warrant as no man should be executed without a trial.
Through the turn of events after the King is overthrown you see how the friendship between the two deteriorates and how they are both torn with realizing that after gaining so much they have also lost much as men and as friends.
I do not know how historically accurate this film is, but it is based on a true story that I have not had much exposure to and I found the time period and the struggle between the two leads to be very engrossing.
Cinematography was excellent, both in it's starkness of the war dead and it's grandeur of the palace of King Charles. The costumes and period detail was also well done in my opinion. As an action/adventure I found that this was a very entertaining film, but would say it is probably more enjoyed as a character study of the two men whose story became a legend.
I very much enjoyed the film and would recommend it to others.
|
|
|
Wildlife, nature and the Environment
Sponsored Links
Learn how to get your own Amazon Book shop | |
