Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

hwg1957-102-265704 'The First Churchills' was based on a book by Winston Churchill concerning his ancestor John Churchill, The Duke of Marlborough. It covers a large period of time and intertwines the domestic, the military and the political. It is excellently written by Donald Wilson and very well directed by David Giles. All the elements are brewed together skilfully but one does need to concentrate while watching to get the subtleties as well as the big themes. It is from an era when television did not look down on its viewers but gave them some thing meaty and intelligent. Part of the pleasure of watching it is the acting. Some of the characters age over the series and this is done extremely well. John Neville as The Duke of Marlborough, John Standing as Sidney Godolphin, Margaret Tyzack as Queen Anne, John Westbrook as James II, Alan Rowe and Lisa Daniely as William and Mary and Roger Mutton as George of Denmark are first rate. Even better are James Villiers as the sanguine Charles II and Susan Hampshire (for which she won an Emmy) as the fiery and fascinating Sarah Churchill. As much screen time is given to Sarah Churchill as her husband The Duke of Marlborough and their marriage is probably one of the warmest and most positive ever portrayed on television. They are as much in love at the end of episode 12 as they were in episode 1.They have many ups and downs but are always loyal to each other.It may not be completely historically accurate but as a drama it is outstanding.

tejonm I would love to see it with closed captions--I am deaf as a post and my knowledge of this particular part of Brit history is not what it ought to be--I shall have to study up! I was horrified by the execution scene , and even more so when I found out that it was "politically correct"! Jack Ketch was infamous for his lack of ability. After finally killing the man , he pulled a knife from his belt to remove the head from the body! Of course we didn't see that part in the film, Just the Axe going up and down! If I could have followed the story better--I would have rated it much higher than I did! I plan to see it again after I study up

bkoganbing This was the first and still my favorite presentation on Masterpiece Theatre. It was based on Winston Churchill's biography of his most noted ancestor, John Churchill First Duke of Marlborough. OF course with Winston writing it, John Churchill turns out to be something of a plaster saint.Well, Marlborough may have been Great Britain's greatest land soldier, but a saint, no one but Winnie would think that. What's not shown is Marlborough's political dexterity, his opportunism, his acquisitiveness. In the four volume life of the Duke, Winston gives some rather tortured explanations about certain incidents in his life. The series lightly glosses over them. Loyalty was not one of his bigger virtues.A clearer picture is given of Sarah Jennings, the Duchess. She was close to Princess, later Queen Anne and through her really, was Marlborough able to rise to perform the great military deeds he did perform in the War of Spanish Succession. Another reviewer was dismayed how it showed that petticoat politics brought about his downfall. Yes, but petticoat politics enable him to rise in the first place. Sarah was something of a shrew and could really wear on one's nerves. She certainly did with Queen Anne, who by all accounts was probably one of the most decent people ever to be monarch in England/Great Britain. That's what brought down the Marlborough hegemony of the first decade of the 18th century.John Neville and Susan Hampshire will forever be enshrined in my mind as the perfect conception of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Margaret Tyzack is also a perfect Queen Anne, in fact the whole cast seems like it stepped right out of the late Stuart era.Someday we may get a more accurate and balanced picture of the Duke of Marlborough and his era to compare this with. Maybe one not written by a descendant who was interested in glorifying the most prominent branch on the family tree.

Joseph Harder I saw most of this fine historical mini-series when I was 12 years old( though I missed The Battle of Blenhiem episode)-and I found it very easy to follow.( But then again, I have been a voracious reader of history since I was about six.) The film is faithful to Winston Churchill's somewhat hagiographic treatment of his pretty roguish ancestors, and to the Whig interpretation of history , with brave England saving us all from having to speak French. Still, despite thhese faults, it is a very good costumer. John Neville, John Standing, James Villiers, and the incomparable Susan Hampshire put in excellent performances. I was moved by the death of Godolphins wife, and amused by the great scene when an anti- Catholic mob surrounds Nell Gwynn's carriage, shouting " Its the Catholic whore!". She answers " Be silent, good people, I am THE PROTESTANT WHORE", and they burst into cheers.