The First Churchills

This superb series chronicles the lives of the first Churchills as they weave through a succession of Stuart monarchs. This was a definning period in English history which saw Albion's beginnings as a world Empire. In seeing this landmark BBC series that was the first of its kind one cannot help that this was viewing intended for an intelligent audience. How little we see of such productions today!Even though the series lacks special effects and large casts to convery the full panaoply of warfare in this period, the discussion of tactics and the overlay of maps with the few extras they have manages quite well to convey the spirt of events. Also, for the military buff of late 17th and early 18th century warfare there is virtually nothing out there on screen to rival it. Where else can one see a dipiction of the events leading to the pivital battle of Blenheim in 1704, nor anything else on the long forgotten War of the Spanish Succession of 1700 - 1713. This conflict had a vital influence on the forming of modern Europe. Where would we be today had not Marlborough halted the ambitions of the insatiable Louis XIV upon the blood stained fields of Blenheim, Malplaquete, and Ramillies. We might all be speaking French today and perhaps worse! The map of Europe certainly would be different than now and likely something dreadful like the EU domination today!But I digress. The 12 episodes are neatly divided into the various reigns of the ruling Stuart monarches. We have three episodes devoted to Charles II always in hand with one of his Spaniels! Then the middle six episodes deal with the troubled reign of James II which saw his dethronment in the events of the Glorious Revolution by William of Orange and Mary. This leads among other things to the forlorn Jacobite risings to place James and his Stuart descendents back upon the English crown. It also shows how difficult it was for Dutch William to rule in England despite his invitation to do so. There is much history and many plots to digest here. The final three episodes show the reign of Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch to rule in England and the brilliant campaigns of Marborough against the French. These are only highligted here, but again much great history to consider.The acting throughout is superb and many of these BBC actors showcased here would return in other great BBC productions. A classic which whatever it lacks in special effects and small interior sets, more than makes up for in great acting and good scripts. A great series to realy sink into and inspire one's reading on the period portrayed.

All good. Arrived quickly in god condition, very please. Will buy from them again.

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!

The first Churchill bootstrapped himself up and never lost a battle; and his colorful wife Sarah made her mark also in early Europe's formative struggles. From this BBC classic we see whence the first Churchills' half-British/half-American descendant--the series co-writer along with the first Churchills' letters--Sir Winston Churchill derived his mantle and mettle. The two lead actors' chemistry from matching birth design imbues this surprisingly still relevant political drama with intimate appeal. A decorative period of European history recreated from the viewpoints of both genders and opposing factions in the Fair Isles and other European nations intriguingly well written and cast especially the honey-voiced beautiful Susan Hampshire as alluringly stylish and scintillating in this period piece as in the also still politically relevant Anthony Trollope "Pallisers" I hadn't expected she could top, but this is on a par and more profound since this has the merit of being true and bigger than life. I only regret the series wasn't completed through the last chapter of these first Churchills' return for personal and British glory enthroning George the First over tenaciously reformed "popery."

A fabulous BBC history piece from the late 1960s. Towering performances frolm Susan Hampshire,Margaret Tyzack, John Neville, John Standing and James Villiers leave the studio sets and video qualityy of the time standing (although actually they ain't that bad), and there's also a brilliant interview with Hampshire. For those partocularly interested in the history (how can you not be?) there's a relevant royal family tree of the time simplifying the vagaries of succession, and some nice colour photos. The set arrived promptly and in perfect condition (both jacket presentation and pic quality) in robust packaging. I highly recommend both item and seller.

Super and, having it Wish Listed for years but deterred by its then huge and ridiculous price, I now find it at last 'normally' available and at a very affordable lesser one! Great.

Mind you, I love Susan Hampshire so I tend to look favourably on any film in which she stars. And, she certainly shone in this film. It moved at a good pace and the plots and plots within plots held my attention. The wigs worn by the men were a bit disconcerting - it seems that back then, the men wore fancier and more elaborate wigs and clothes than did the women. And, it also seems that the men changed wigs depending on the situation which made it a bid difficult to distinguish among some of the characters at times. But, all in all, a film filled with political intrigue. And Susan Hampshire was, as always, superb.

This shows its age, or perhaps the fact that it was a new genre (the first historical mini-series), in some rather odd direction, occasionally stilted scripting, and the inevitable lack of perfect originals. Yet, overall it is a magnificent effort at covering the literally intriguing life of one of the greatest of Britain's heros - John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. Churchill was politically and militarily active during the reigns of five monarchs - an utterly fascinating period - seeing his country through the introduction of the constitutional monarchy after Cromwell's Protectorate, the rebellion against James II's Catholicism, the triumph of Protestantism with William of Orange, the first signs of an emerging world power under Queen Anne, and the consolidation of that position with the stability brought under the House of Hanover. The story also covers the domestic and court intrigues of Churchill's wife, Sarah - a huge influence on her husband's advancement, decline, and eventual return to favour. Based largely on Winston's book on his forbears, John and Sarah Churchill are wonderfully brought to life by John Neville and Susan Hampshire, supported by what can now be seen to be a Who's Who of British character actors of the early 1970s. Whether for its undoubted merit as drama, or the telling of the development of a major world power - or both - this is a terrific addition to your video library.

This is another old series based on British history. I found that I could tolerate the stage-like sets, the forced acting and lack of subtitles and closed captioning, in order to watch history unfold. I did find most of it interesting, as famous characters from the English past were brought to life. However, I decided that once was enough. For me it would be like reading through a History textbook for the second time if I were to watch it again. If you're really interested in English history, then I would recommend this series.