So much average

just watch it!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Overall, I genuinely liked this film as it was enjoyable to watch and rather entertaining. I would recommend this film to those who are learning or have learnt about Cromwell as it is well put together and gives you a brief overview of the Civil Wars and the key information there is to know, however, this film is for entertainment purposes and doesn't go into great detail. When learning about Cromwell, I saw him to be the sort of character that he is perceived to be in this film and I believe that Richard Harris plays his role of Cromwell extremely well taking on the role of a passionate man who was indeed, hard to understand at times. At times I did feel that this film was rather dramatic however, I felt it was well put together and a very good effort in depicting and emphasising the person that Cromwell was in the 17th century.

My English history isn't the greatest, so I take the view that this movie is probably a tolerable overview of the Cromwell era without necessarily being spot on with its facts.Richard Harris is an intense Cromwell and Alec Guiness is an aloof Charles 1 as this tale of accountability, the divine right of kings, parliament's position and, ultimately, civil war proceeds.From a film-goer's perspective, the movie needs a dramatic set piece nearer the end - Charles' execution and its aftermath is a rather low key and understated way to finish off the film. There are some large scale and relatively well staged battle scenes earlier on.Which leads me to ponder the rationale behind this movie. It is rather late in the day for an old-style massed battle action movie (viz. the Hollywood knights in armour movies, El Cid, Charge Of The Light Brigade etc.) and, in any event, despite the battles, this is quite a talkie movie. I suppose it tells an important story which hadn't, at the time, been told in any detail elsewhere.

Disgusted with the policies of the tyrannical king Charles the first Oliver Cromwell , a puritan and god fearing man decides to head for the new world. However his plans are soon to be put aside as he ventures forth to lead Parliament against the monarchy and bring about a new order of government that still exists today. Richard Harris gives a fiery and impressive performance as Cromwell and captures the sense of a holy man with an unyielding sense of duty and unequalled ambition. Alec Guiness always gives a charismatic performance and portrays the king in a respectable manor. With notable performances from Robert Morley and Charles Gray amongst others. The battle scenes are excellent with a sense of tremendous scale and stature. The costumes are lavish and beautiful to view. All in all Cromwell stands out as one of the best historical films to date. The history i believe is quite incorrect however it certainly dosen't spoil the film. An excellent film with a great cast and production.

"When men run out of words, they reach for their swords."This is the story of how England descended into civil war, and how one man brought it out of it. The movie has interesting direction, fine acting, rich sets and costumes, grand battle scenes, and a weak and less than historically accurate script.Director Ken Hughes chose a distant manner of directing for this movie. The shots are far and wide, and the camera rarely gets close to the action. This works very well with large, open spaces - the opening sequences are truly memorable - but not so well when people are involved. This cold and distant style becomes increasingly less than engaging as the movie progresses.The actors are good. Richards Harris is impressive as Cromwell, with his whispered, harsh voice and constant brooding. Alec Guinness is very good as King Charles I, imparting the role with the sense of majesty it requires. Timothy Dalton has a small, early role where he overacts a little, but well within the boundaries of the flamboyant character he is given.The sets and costumes are rich, big and elaborate. The contrast between the two sides in conflict is masterfully achieved by means of clothing and equipment, and it is most visible on the battlefield.The battle scenes are really grand and impressive. From a distance. When the camera gets close, however, the fighting seems less then serious and not all that life threatening. But all in all, the director does manage to give the viewer an idea of what it meant to take part in such a battle.The script is too long, and it tends to portray the characters in thick cartoon like strokes, with little or no place for refinement or subtlety.Cromwell. A good historical movie, even if a little slow and not exactly accurate in places. 6/10.