To Kill a King (2003)

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:

Mass Grave | Female Nudity | Torture | Street Killing | Husband Wife Relationship

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

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the opening sequence, Fairfax shoots the sword out of Cromwell's hand with a flintlock pistol at about 30 yards range. Such pistols had no rifling at that period and were incapable of nowhere near such accuracy, even in the hands of an expert. To shoot at that range Fairfax would have been more likely to have hit Cromwell. Also the bullet struck sparks from the sword hilt when it hit. This is impossible as the bullet would have been a soft lead ball and incapable of creating a spark.

Enjoyable History Lesson

I'm not very familiar with this period and this particular story but one thing I can say is that the film was very enjoyable. The story is fascinating to begin but the acting truly adds to the experience. Outstanding! Dougray Scott's portrayal of General Thomas Fairfax, a man torn between the love of his wife and that of his the country, is amazing to watch. To add to the pile, Tim Roth is worthy of an oscar nomination for his role as Oliver Cromwell, an army man that allows power and greed to send his dreams and beliefs and actions askew. I think there are some Oscar worthy performances here. Well worth watching.