The First Churchills
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Movie Reviews of The First Churchills
Movie Review: The First Churchills
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this DVD set because I love Susan Hampshire and I love history. Having visited Blenheim in England, home of the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill), it was very fulfilling to see the story of this man unfold. The Churchill's relationship with Queen Anne and William and Mary was very enlightening as I previously knew only bits and pieces. I highly recommend this series for history lovers.Movie Review: The Best
Summary: 5 Stars
You know it's good when the now-antiquated cinematics fall by the wayside to reveal a wonderfully acted drama portraying fascinating people. Susan Hampshire is the penultimate; that she wasn't even the first choice for the role of Sarah Churchill makes her performance even more fabulous. It is worth the price of admission simply to listen to the actors in this series.Movie Review: Masterpiece Theatre production
Summary: 5 Stars
FIrst Masterpiece production shown in USA loved it from day I forst saw it Having it and being able to watch anytime is wonderful. Historic pieceMovie Review: Simply Excellant
Summary: 5 Stars
TV like this you will rarely see nowadays. No great sets or special effects, just great acting with a ripping good story. What more can I say.Movie Review: A Series for History Lovers
Summary: 4 Stars
As Masterpiece Theater's launching series, "The First Churchills" was a landmark for TV viewers desiring intelligent, historically accurate stories. Masterpiece Theater continues as a feeding station for those starved viewers whose choices prior to this were among westerns and unpalatable sitcoms.
So much English history flies by in "The First Churchills" that the viewer may find it useful, as I did, to have background reference material that keeps the characters sorted out.
Winston Churchill reveals his ancestors with truth, tempermental warts and all. The duchess is quick tempered and self-serving even when it causes her husband difficulty with the queen. She defies his wishes as she did her parents' and she pays dearly.
Susan Hampshire won an Emmy for her role, yet I felt uncomfortable with her somewhat overly-strident performance. John Neville, as her husband, played a tough general loyal to kings and queens, and a pussycat at home tolerating her frequent table-pounding. As much as this series is considered a love story, there is not much chemistry between the two lovers. The scenes showing passionate reunions and reconciliations between the two seemed forced and embarassing. Yet that minor flaw may not be noticable to others. It could also be because I had just viewed "The Last KIng", based on the same era, which was a lively romp with decidedly passionate scenes strewn throughout. Regardless, "The First Churchills" is first-rate!