[Sans-Culotte]

The movie made a strong impression on me when I saw it in the theater. All I knew about the story at the time the movie came out was that Charles I had been executed and that someone named Oliver Cromwell had something to do with it. Looking back at the movie, I wince now at some of the dialog* and the inaccuracies that seemed unnecessary. Still, it gives at least an overview of the period for the uninitiated (I think I was in the 7th grade when I saw it upon release), and has some great actors, costumes, battle scenes, etc. Alec Guinness' Charles I alone is worth the price of admission. I wish it would be released in high-def on Blu-ray.

*At one point, Richard Harris as Cromwell exclaims "Mr. Ireton, I was fighting for the rights of the common man when you were in knee britches!" A rather unfortunate choice of words since all the men in the scene are, in fact wearing knee britches It was the 17th century, LOL.

[Reily]

I was in the 9th grade when it came out. I remember going to see it with cousin & my aunt. Antonia Frasier’s book on Cromwell is a very good read on the man & the period. Well worth the effort!