The First Churchills (1969– )

Stars:

Susan Hampshire, John Neville, John Standing

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Susan Hampshire	...	Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (12 episodes, 1969)
John Neville	...	John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough (12 episodes, 1969)
John Standing	...	Sidney Godolphin (12 episodes, 1969)
Robert Robinson	...	Louis XIV (11 episodes, 1969)
Margaret Tyzack	...	Princess Anne (9 episodes, 1969)
John Ringham	...	Laurence Hyde (9 episodes, 1969)
Roger Mutton	...	George of Denmark (8 episodes, 1969)
Alan Rowe	...	William, Prince of Orange (7 episodes, 1969)
Michael Culver	...	Charles Churchill (7 episodes, 1969)
James Villiers	...	Charles II (6 episodes, 1969)
John Westbrook	...	James, Duke of York (later James II) (6 episodes, 1969)
Job Stewart	...	Lord Shrewsbury (6 episodes, 1969)
Lisa Daniely	...	Mary II (6 episodes, 1969)
James Kerry	...	James, Duke of Monmouth (6 episodes, 1969)
John Tordoff	...	Becket (6 episodes, 1969)
Polly Adams	...	Henrietta Godolphin (5 episodes, 1969)
Jill Balcon	...	Abigail Hill (5 episodes, 1969)
Sheila Gish	...	Mary, Duchess of York (5 episodes, 1969)
John Humphry	...	Sunderland (5 episodes, 1969)
Arthur Pentelow	...	Earl of Danby (5 episodes, 1969)
Austin Trevor	...	Lord Halifax (5 episodes, 1969)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

aristocracy | line of succession | church of england | house of stuart | restoration | 

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Genres:

History

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los primeros Churchill

Filming Locations:

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The very first presentation by PBS Masterpiece Theatre.

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Soundtracks

"Rondeau From Abdelazer Suite"
(uncredited)
By Henry Purcell
(closing credits theme)

User Reviews

Well acted history lesson

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.