hwg1957-102-265704 'The First Churchills' was based on a book by Winston Churchill concerning his ancestor John Churchill, The Duke of Marlborough. It covers a large period of time and intertwines the domestic, the military and the political. It is excellently written by Donald Wilson and very well directed by David Giles. All the elements are brewed together skilfully but one does need to concentrate while watching to get the subtleties as well as the big themes. It is from an era when television did not look down on its viewers but gave them some thing meaty and intelligent. Part of the pleasure of watching it is the acting. Some of the characters age over the series and this is done extremely well. John Neville as The Duke of Marlborough, John Standing as Sidney Godolphin, Margaret Tyzack as Queen Anne, John Westbrook as James II, Alan Rowe and Lisa Daniely as William and Mary and Roger Mutton as George of Denmark are first rate. Even better are James Villiers as the sanguine Charles II and Susan Hampshire (for which she won an Emmy) as the fiery and fascinating Sarah Churchill. As much screen time is given to Sarah Churchill as her husband The Duke of Marlborough and their marriage is probably one of the warmest and most positive ever portrayed on television. They are as much in love at the end of episode 12 as they were in episode 1.They have many ups and downs but are always loyal to each other.It may not be completely historically accurate but as a drama it is outstanding.

jjnxn-1 Fine BBC production about key players in a lesser known period of history, the fact that they are ancestors of Winston Churchill is interesting but really doesn't factor into the story. The real focus is about royal power struggles and the emergence of the Churchill line. A bit stagy and it shows its age in film quality but the performances make all that secondary. John Neville is good but this really belongs to Susan Hampshire as Sarah Churchill who is by turns kittenish, vixenish and noble. A top star in England since the 60's her talent is great and her presence enchanting it's a pity she's not better known. She is in the same league as Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

tejonm I would love to see it with closed captions--I am deaf as a post and my knowledge of this particular part of Brit history is not what it ought to be--I shall have to study up! I was horrified by the execution scene , and even more so when I found out that it was "politically correct"! Jack Ketch was infamous for his lack of ability. After finally killing the man , he pulled a knife from his belt to remove the head from the body! Of course we didn't see that part in the film, Just the Axe going up and down! If I could have followed the story better--I would have rated it much higher than I did! I plan to see it again after I study up

Rosabel This was an incredibly exciting series when it was first broadcast in North America - a first view of the riches of British historical costume drama. The story was a complex one, though much less complex than the actual history upon which it was based. I was swept away with admiration for John Churchill, fighting the French against great odds and with huge handicaps, and never losing a battle. The political scheming behind the scenes in England finally brought him down, and I felt as indignant as I'm sure Winston Churchill would have wanted me to at the shabby treatment given his great ancestor. The beautiful Susan Hampshire is wonderful as the love of his life, Sarah. The real Sarah was a very intelligent, indomitable woman who exercised great power before she and her husband were defeated by their enemies at court, and Hampshire plays her to perfection.