| | | The True Story That Became a Legend.
1645: After years of civil war, King Charles I is overthrown and two heroes have emerged -- Lord General Thomas Fairfax and his best friend and deputy General Oliver Cromwell. Their friendship is threatened when Fairfax and his wife conspire to return the King to power, and Cromwell instead orders his execution, seizing control. His armies spread violence and fear throughout the country, and Fairfax realizes Cromwell must be stopped, and their bond as two comrades-at-arms irreparably broken.
"Olivia Williams is beautiful, talented and commands the screen every frame she appears in. The performance by Rupert Everett is one of his best." Home Theater Info
"Tim Roth and Dougray Scott give robust performances as the allies turned rivals..." Xan Brooks, The Guardian
Editor's Note
Tim Roth stars as Oliver Cromwell in this lavish story of revenge and betrayal set during the English Civil War. When Charles I is removed from power, a rivalry explodes between two former friends: General Cromwell and Lord General Thomas Fairfax. As Fairfax makes plans to restore Charles to the throne, Cromwell orders the king's execution, setting off a battle that tears English right down the middle. While beautifully reproducing its historical era, TO KILL A KING is also a gripping film about loyalty that features a fantastic turn by Rupert Everett in the role of Charles.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital Stereo | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment |
| Release Date: 4/28/2009 |
| Running Time: 102 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2003 | | Catalog ID: 72173 | | UPC: 00013137217395 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew | Dougray Scott | | Olivia Williams | | Rupert Everett | | Tim Roth | | Dougray Scott - Producer | | Eigil Bryld - Cinematographer | | Guy Bensley - Editor | | Jenny Mayhew - Writer | | Mike Barker - Director | | Richard G. Mitchell - Original Music By | | Scott Karol - Executive Producer | | Sophie Becher - Production Designer | | Sophie Becher, et. al. - Art Director |
| Awards |
Nominee (2004) | | | British Academy Awards, Jenny Mayhew, Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer |
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| | Professional Reviews | Shadows on the Wall 8 of 10
It's interesting that this relatively well-known chapter in British history has so rarely been filmed (just Ken Hughes' Cromwell, in 1970). So this involving and beautifully made film is like an entertaining history lesson...This is an astonishing story--moving, emotional and so relevant it's frightening to watch. Scott and Roth give terrifically gripping performances that make these historical figures real human beings--both wise and troubled, not merely heroic or villainous, although the choices they make are very telling. And the support from Williams and especially Everett is excellent. Williams' Anne Fairfax is a feisty and strong character, not remotely relegated to the wifely role; while Everett's King Charles is fiercely arrogant, believing he's entitled by God to be as brutal as he wants to be, even though we can see beneath his bravado. Meanwhile, amid the impeccable production design Barker directs the film with a kind of muscled elegance that fits with the story. The one complaint is that for a story about war and violence, there is very little actually happening on screen; the film consists of a series of conversations, focusing on the political manoeuvrings rather than the more physical tensions. That said, the concentration on people and inter-relationships is compelling and far more meaningful, really, than yet another adrenaline-rushing swordfight. - Rich Cline
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