To Kill a King (2003)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Mike Barker

Writer:

Jenny Mayhew (writer)

Release Date:

2003 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

It takes a traitor and a hero...

Plot:

A recounting of the relationship between General Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, as they try to cope with the consequences of deposing King Charles I. |

Plot Keywords:

Battlefield | Torture | Street Killing | Political Intrigue | English Civil War

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Tim Roth	...	Oliver Cromwell
Dougray Scott	...	Sir Thomas Fairfax
Olivia Williams	...	Lady Anne Fairfax
James Bolam	...	Denzil Holles
Corin Redgrave	...	Lord de Vere
Finbar Lynch	...	Cousin Henry
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	James
Adrian Scarborough	...	Sergeant Joyce
Jeremy Swift	...	Earl of Whitby
Rupert Everett	...	King Charles I
Steven Webb	...	Boy at Naseby
Jake Nightingale	...	Colonel Pride
Leonard Woodcock	...	Young Royalist prisoner
Thomas Arnold	...	Messenger at Naseby
Sam Spruell	...	King's guard

Also Known As:

Cromwell & Fairfax (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Iceland:12 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

FilmFour

A modern 'Man for all seasons', exciting and compelling 10 out of 10

I was lucky enough to catch this film in a trade screening in Milan. These are the worst places to watch films as the audience talk, get up, leave, come back, use the phone,etc. - but not with To Kill A King. The screening room was still and quiet, the auditorium packed. This is a great film, it is set just at the end of the British civil war we see mountains of dead and wounded soldiers being carted off the battlefield to help set the scene. Tom Fairfax, played in his best role ever by Dougray Scott, is the General who has led his men to victory against the Kings army. His deputy Oliver Cromwell,(Tim Roth) has fought by his side all the way. These two men are inseparable, but on their victorious return to London, they find a king who is certainly not ready to roll over and give up his powers to Parliament. This is Rupert Everett's best performance. I thought I new what to expect, - that rather naughty posh thing he does so well, but I was wrong. He gives a beautifully timed complex portrayal of a man faced with the destruction of everything he believes and trusts. The execution is beautiful because it is so moving. As the King approaches the block, his calm dignity in the face of death, must turn the hearts of the most dedicated republicans. The film is really however a study of friendship and power. As the two friends walk the corridors of power, Olivers more extreme and idealised vision of a democratic Parliament conflict with Fairfax's idea of a limited monarchy. The two agree less and less, ultimately affecting their relationship and of course ends in betrayal. This was definitely an independent movie because no studio would allow this ending. The final scene between Roth and Scott is truly moving,upsetting and compelling. It has an amazing voyeuristic quality which makes you feel as if you are spying on two men who don't want to, but have to, say good bye. The production values were fantastic the sets have an epic quality not seen in the independent sector for years, the costumes and make up feel real and lived in- a real treat.