Alfred the Great (1969)
While Old England is being ransacked by roving Danes in the 9th century, Alfred is planning to join the priesthood. But observing the rape of his land, he puts away his religious vows to take up arms against the invaders, leading the English Christians to fight for their country. Alfred soundly defeats the Danes and becomes a hero. But now, although Alfred still longs for the priesthood, he is torn between his passion for God and his lust for blood.
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Simply Perfect
If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
If there is no historical accuracy then why bother and there is very little of that. The characteristics of Alfred's personality does not really seem to fit the historical record either. Because of the significant discrepancies it was hard for me to enjoy it. Not sure I am a big fan of the writing and the dialogue between Alfred and his wife. The Danes invented the shield wall not Alfred. Alfred built fortified towers to keep the Danes from having easy victories. His first child was not Edward. His wife was NEVER called the queen they just did not believe in that in those days. It was not really until Ethelred the unready named his wife Emma queen that the term was used regularly. NOTE: Emma was the mother of Edward the Confessor. At least they got it write that one of Alfred's major contributions was the writing of a code of laws and then education.
Surprisingly involving and rousing adventure set in 9th century England, where the young King of Wessex leads a bloody revolt against the marauding Danes. Sprawling, handsome film given hard-hearted direction by Clive Donner, featuring exciting battlefield sequences and welcomed bits of black humor courtesy screenwriters Ken Taylor and James Webb. The well-chosen cast (including David Hemmings as Alfred, a heavily-bearded Michael York as Guthrum, and Ian McKellen as Roger) give variable performances, as Donner's film-making technique seems focused on the grand scope on the picture and not the intricate details. However, Alex Thomson's cinematography and all the technical aspects are top-notch. **1/2 from ****
One of the most underrated actors of all time must be David Hemmings but sadly enough he will be immortal for his rol in "Blow up" and it also will be the role that will have chased him throughout his whole career. Sad to see that Hemmings appeared in very weak movies, like "Alfred the great" for instance. We go back to the 9th century at where East Anglia is overwhelmed by the cruel Danes and the help from Alfred (brother of the king who wanted to be a priest). Alfred the Great had his own methods to free his country and what could have been interesting has been completely destroyed as it's too boring (there is strong link to Hamlet's Shakespeare here, and we just saw it too much) or it is just too much of a silly actionmovie (the battles are so long that you tend to fall asleep). I really don't give a damn about this annoying movie that just seems to me like a Robin Hood-movie without a budget.
This is such a stupid historical movie. The main character is this arrogant Hamlet-type king running around like Caligula doing all sorts of moronic stuff. No explanation why we should care about any of this.Everything in the direction and acting of this movie is so inept. It is not even funny.