I finished watching this today and thought it quite brilliant in parts. I especially liked the Dryden extracts. The film captures something about English melancholy and, being about Purcell and his sublime music, how could it not. The late 17th century was a time of vertiginous change, socially and politically. How could it not induce melancholia when so much of what was held dear was either destroyed or now held in disrepute. This pattern of rapid change followed by initial confusion, regret and sadness is a recurrent theme in English, perhaps all nations', history. This recurrence is captured here cleverly by making the film a play within a play. Simon Callow as Charles II was excellent.
Review of England, My England
