While it is a well-made historical drama and well-written in that both Cromwell and Charles are flawed characters blinded by their personal beliefs, not heroes or villains, I was still often confused by the plot and irritated by the endless speeches. I am pretty sure it was just several hours of everyone in England accusing everyone else of treason.
A thoroughly enjoyable, old-fashioned historical epic that you could imagine taking up a lazy weekend afternoon. Richard Harris gives a passionate performance as Cromwell, warring with both King and Parliament with his enraged speeches. Sir Alec Guinness gives a noble, sympathetic if crafty and stubborn Charles I. As with most historical films, there are inaccuracies. Cromwell is depicted here as a reluctant people’s hero, whereas from what I’ve read he seemed more motivated by religion than people’s rights and the Irish atrocities he oversaw are conveniently left out. The depictions of the battles at Edgehill and Naseby, while thrilling, were incorrect. Nevertheless the script has an impressive amount of quotes and references to history and to be honest, tells the overall series of volatile events as they happened mostly correctly and very dramatically.