While Old England is being ransacked by roving Danes in the ninth century, Alfred is planning to join the priesthood. But observing the rape of his land, he puts away his religious vows, to...
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Title: Alfred the Great (1969)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| David Hemmings | ... | Alfred | |
| Michael York | ... | Guthrum | |
| Prunella Ransome | ... | Aelhswith | |
| Colin Blakely | ... | Asher | |
| Ian McKellen | ... | Roger | |
| Peter Vaughan | ... | Burrud | |
 |
Alan Dobie | ... | Ethelred |
| Julian Glover | ... | Æthelstan | |
| Vivien Merchant | ... | Freda | |
| Julian Chagrin | ... | Ivar | |
| Jim Norton | ... | Thanet | |
|
|
John Rees | ... | Cuthbert |
| Christopher Timothy | ... | Cerdic | |
| Peter Blythe | ... | Eafa | |
| Sinéad Cusack | ... | Edith | |
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
While Old England is being ransacked by roving Danes in the ninth 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. Written by Ørnås
Taglines:
The dissenter king. See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
1 October 1969 (Hong Kong) See more »Also Known As:
A King Is Born See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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[Ivar performs impressive acrobatics with a sword]
Guthrum: He fights as well.
Alfred: I am Alfred, king of Wessex. This is my cousin, Athelstan of Lamborn. I fear he only jumps on Danish graves.
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Did You Know?
Quotes
Guthrum: I am Guthrum, son of Odin! This is Ivar, my warrior cheif. He's called Ivar the boneless because his mother made him with gristle, instead of bone. Show them.[Ivar performs impressive acrobatics with a sword]
Guthrum: He fights as well.
Alfred: I am Alfred, king of Wessex. This is my cousin, Athelstan of Lamborn. I fear he only jumps on Danish graves.
See more »
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Though I'm quite aware of this film's shortcomings (length and the multitude of exotic names, etc.), I must say that I think Leonard Maltin does this film a disservice. It accurately portrays some of the most important events in English history, and also paints a fine portrait of a monarch torn between earthly passions and the desire for spiritual purity. It is only by truly balancing these two forces that a man can succeed, and Alfred did so.
The conflicting forces in the film also symbolize Alfred's inner struggle -- the church representing his spiritual desires and the Danes standing for the passions and lusts of the physical world. Certainly the Battle of Athelney Marsh, one of the pivotal events in British history, is stirringly portrayed, particularly when the peasants and commoners rise up to save their king. This film, despite its flaws and its abysmal box office performance, remains a personal favorite of mine.