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.

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

I saw most of this fine historical mini-series when I was 12 years old( though I missed The Battle of Blenhiem episode)-and I found it very easy to follow.( But then again, I have been a voracious reader of history since I was about six.) The film is faithful to Winston Churchill's somewhat hagiographic treatment of his pretty roguish ancestors, and to the Whig interpretation of history , with brave England saving us all from having to speak French. Still, despite thhese faults, it is a very good costumer. John Neville, John Standing, James Villiers, and the incomparable Susan Hampshire put in excellent performances. I was moved by the death of Godolphins wife, and amused by the great scene when an anti- Catholic mob surrounds Nell Gwynn's carriage, shouting " Its the Catholic whore!". She answers " Be silent, good people, I am THE PROTESTANT WHORE", and they burst into cheers.

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.