For a 1970 film, it looks fantastic. The direction is top notch, especially at the civil war scene. The storytelling is also fantastic for the most part, I feel like starting the movie with Cromwell wanting to leave gives us a plot as well as a taster on how Cromwell views King Charles. I especially like the scene near the end where in front of the House of Commons, there was a man criticizing their decisions, followed by Cromwell explaining how for 6 years, The House of Commons has been awful at leading the country, seeing this really reinstates hoe badly The House of Commons has done. The Acting is very good by Richard Harris, and the Idea of showing both Cromwell and King Charles' side of the story really gives more context to the situation and is a great idea.
However, I think they should have spent more time on the Civil War, as all there was were 2 battles, one which Cromwell lost, one which Cromwell won. The Civil war was an awful time for the people of Britain, more, people died from war-related diseases, than from fighting, and the lack of inclusion of that is very frustrating. Also the speech that was made at the end by the narrator, was very inaccurate, he claimed that Cromwell "raised England to be a great power", when he actually enforced his Puritan values onto all the people of England, eradicating any "pointless fun", and would get people to scrub off make-up from any unsuspecting women. In fact the people of England nicknamed Cromwell to be a "killjoy", because removed all the fun in life. The narrator also stated that when King Charles was Crowned England was "never to be the same again". When Charles II was crowned King, people loved him because he allowed celebrations and parties and in general allowed fun.
Overall this movie does have a few historical inaccuracies, but the work gone into it, the acting, directing and storytelling, are exceptionall.
However, I think they should have spent more time on the Civil War, as all there was were 2 battles, one which Cromwell lost, one which Cromwell won. The Civil war was an awful time for the people of Britain, more, people died from war-related diseases, than from fighting, and the lack of inclusion of that is very frustrating. Also the speech that was made at the end by the narrator, was very inaccurate, he claimed that Cromwell "raised England to be a great power", when he actually enforced his Puritan values onto all the people of England, eradicating any "pointless fun", and would get people to scrub off make-up from any unsuspecting women. In fact the people of England nicknamed Cromwell to be a "killjoy", because removed all the fun in life. The narrator also stated that when King Charles was Crowned England was "never to be the same again". When Charles II was crowned King, people loved him because he allowed celebrations and parties and in general allowed fun.
Overall this movie does have a few historical inaccuracies, but the work gone into it, the acting, directing and storytelling, are exceptionall.