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Charles II [2003]
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The four hour-long episodes cover the Restoration, the Plague and the Fire of London, the secret treaties with France and the Popish Plot, as well as giving us a fair bit of Charles's moderately happy marriage to Catherine (Shirley Henderson in the most hideously accurate historical hairdos ever) and his affairs with various mistresses. Among a number of fine supporting performances, Rupert Graves stands out as Buckingham, the friend who betrayed Charles. This sort of costume drama only ever works if the acting is as good as it is here. On the DVD: Charles II on disc comes with a making-of documentary and a commentary on the first episode from writer Adrian Hodge and the director and producer. It also includes an extended documentary on Charles's back story--his education, his attempt to fight Cromwell's forces, his period on the run in England and his long exile--in which a number of eminent historians, including Richard Holmes and Ronald Hutton, talk about how he became the king he was. --Roz Kaveney Rescued from exile by a desperate Parliament, Charles II returns to the throne at the age of 30. As the Plague and the Great Fire brings London to its knees, Charles nurtures the wittiest, most lascivious and decadent court of all time. A sensitive and promiscuous lover, he entertains an array of mistresses including high-born Barbara Villiers, sparky streetwise actress Nell Gwyn and aristocratic French spy Louise de Keroualle. Still traumatized by the execution of his father, Charles is forced to play politics with the Parliament that killed him and proves himself a canny and ruthless politician. Meanwhile, with a lack of a legitimate heir, his squabbling family grow ever more frantic … DVD Technical Information:
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £5.99 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the better BBC costume dramas of recent years, 2003's Charles II: The Power and the Passion depends very strongly on its central performance. Fortunately, Rufus Sewell is admirable throughout as the saturnine, witty monarch who has retained popular fondness down the centuries in spite of his conscientious adherence to the bad and losing cause of absolute monarchy. Adrian Hodge's intelligent script dramatises the issue in quick sound bites--many politicians accepted the Restoration to avoid chaos and were determined to bring Charles to heel, whereas he was determined to defend the position for which his father had been martyred. If that meant handing the throne to his Catholic brother in default of a legitimate son of his own, so be it.
Editorial
DVD Description
Starring Rufus Sewell, Charlie Creed-Miles, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves, Shirley Henderson, Helen McCrory, Ian McDiarmid, Diana Rigg.
Editorial
Special Features
Editorial
Synopsis
The life of Charles II (who reigned from 1660-1685) is retold in this lavish drama. Charles (Sewell) having already been declared King during his exile, had entered into negotiations to return to the throne following the death of Oliver Cromwell. This resulted in Charles signing the Declaration of Breda which allowed him to return as King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland; Defender of the Faith. Revealing the public and private life behind the throne, Charles enjoyed many mistresses including actress Nell Gwynn, a French spy Louise De Keroualle and sex addict Barbara Villiers, but refused to divorce his infertile Queen. During the next 25 years of his reign; Charles has to deal with the Plague, the Great Fire of London, and finding a way to work with the Parliament who ordered the death of his father.
the best historical mini-drama i've ever seen
Review date: 2007-08-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
this is a brilliant historical mini-drama. i watch loads of this sort of genre, so I would know.
it seems to stick to the facts, which are fascinating and intriguing and compelling all on their own.
acting is great, especailly rufus sewell, who is exactly what the title says: mega powerful, mega passionate. incredible presence.
each episode is exciting, sexy, has you on the edge of your seat aching for more :)
buy it now :)
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Reviews
Fabulous Restoration Drama
Review date: 2007-01-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
Having just watched this DVD again, I've been capitvated anew by how good it is. Everything, from the music to the costumes to the acting, is magnificent. Rufus Sewell skillfully portrays the character of Charles II - cynical, witty, essentially good natured but determined not to go on his 'travels' again. The supporting cast are wonderful too, especially Shirley Henderson as Catherine of Braganza, Helen McCrory as Lady Castlemaine and Rupert Graves as the Duke of Buckingham. The spirit of Restoration times - that is, self indulgent pleasure seeking interspersed with religious mania - is captured beautifully.
I have a few little complaints to make. I feel that James, Charles's brother and eventual successor, is treated rather unfairly. Yes, James was very stubborn and not too intelligent, but in the drama he is constantly defying Charles and is often borderline disrespectful to him. As a believer in the Divine Right of Kings, James wouldn't have acted like that. Also, it would have been nice to see James's daughters, Mary and Anne, featured, or even his second wife, but I understand that time constraints probably made this unfeasible.
Diana Rigg puts in a good performance as Henrietta Maria, despite her English accent. There are some slight chronological inaccuracies however - for example, Charles's brother Henry was dead long before Catherine arrived in England. These are all minor points however, and are the only reason I'm giving 4 rather than 5 stars. It's a wonderful, exciting drama and is for the most part true to history.
History comes alive
Review date: 2006-08-22 Rating: 8 out of 10
I very much enjoyed this four-episode drama about Charles II life. I think a perfect balance was found between the private and political sphere of the king: both was portrayed excitingly and vividly depicting his personality both as man and king with strengths and weaknesses as well. The Restoration Age, as its king, is shown in detail with its splendour and decadence.
A superb cast is empolyed including Rufus Sewell, Rupert Graves and the excellent Shirley Henderson among others. The music is beautiful. A documentary film about Charles' childhood and adolescence can be found on the dvd as an extra which is also worth watching.
Merry Monarch, Unhappy Queen
Review date: 2006-01-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
I enormously enjoyed this production ! I've always liked king Charles, in spite of Catarina de Bragança's poor destiny. I agree that, by the standards of the time, he was as friendly a husband as possible. Congratulations to Shirley Henderson, who asks for a tea in perfect Portuguese ( was her voice dubbed or did she have to practise herself, I wonder ?:) By the way, Catarina was NOT that plain ...
A very nice group of supporting actors, specially Rupert Graves, the man whose face is not easy to forget ...
A very convincing recreation of the Restauration days !
One of the best BBC dramas in a long time!
Review date: 2005-10-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
this is a fantastic series! not only is rufus sewell unbelievably hot, the acting is excellent and the script is brilliantly written. a must for all those who enjoy entertaining yet interesting programmes!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Rupert Graves
Michael Pober
Ian McDiarmid
Martin Turner (II)
Rufus Sewell
Creators:
Martin Turner (II) (Primary Contributor)
Rufus Sewell (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503135928
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-02-16
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 240 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-03-21
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Portuguese (Original Language)