VartanD — 13 years ago(November 17, 2012 02:37 AM)

This is the only Richard Harris movie I have ever really liked. I've seen a dozen or more but this one is the only truly great one, in my opinion. The writing, acting, directing is simply perfect for telling a story from real history, not for being a stage for just one actor. Harris was simply one of the most overbearing actors there ever were and he was such a large personality, he literally sucked the life out of anything he played in during that period of his life. The Horse movies, the westerns etc, all of those could have been fine movies and been remembered as such. As it is, however, those movies are remembered for nothing but Harris overacting through them. In this one, Cromwell, he's kept in check and he's balanced out by a cast of real characters from history. This isn't simply another Harris vehicle.it's a movie that Harris had the privilege of being a part of.
I've seen this movie probably a half a dozen times over the years and I still enjoy it immensely. I based one of my SCA characters, many years ago, on this movie. My one complaint, and it's a tiny one that wouldn't even be noticed by anyone else, is how sneaky and guilty Cromwell/Harris appears throughout this one. It seems every time he's seen individually, he's lurking in a corner or he's trying to hide in a chair or a crowd. Half the time, he appears like a schoolboy who's not done his homework and he's hoping the teacher won't notice him and call on him.
In all, this is a fine flick! One I think all schoolkids should be required to see. It's a far more important lesson than most of the junk they're taught these days.