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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Than Historical Drama, January 30, 2005
I find it curious that this twelve-part miniseries, classified as historical drama and remembered for its commencement of PBS's Masterpiece Theatre, had its premiere long before social history formed the thrust of so much historical research. On the one hand, it seems that the creators of this series have given us a magnificent retrospective of Charles II's era: all the pageantry, artistry, politics, religious fervor; petty alliances,lifelong allegiances,blessed triumphs, ill-fated outcomes. On the other hand, it is impossible to ignore what may be this drama's most outstanding offering -- thanks to a truly memorable cast: its universal human appeal. Each episode is its own rich survey of humanity. Enter the future Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, ever loyal and loveable (John Neville and Susan Hampshire), and the ever vital role they played in the court of Charles II and each of his "Stuart" successors. A second noteworthy feature is this drama's psychological implications. Take, for example, the maiden Sarah's progressive assertiveness at such a young age; her apparent ambivalence towards her mother; her steadfast refusal to marry for reasons other than love or be "kept" by men in high places. Consider Churchill's own refusal to marry merely for the sake of bettering his social position; his singular, almost godlike, willingness to serve strictly on his honor when false patronage among courtiers was quite the fashion. Imagine, from the vantage point of 17th century "nobility," the notion of constancy in love equalling that of desire and seeming to override the importance of it: hence, John's (almost too) oft repeated words to Sarah: "My dearest soul." Take a Princess-turned-Queen: Anne; her overwhelming (to the point of childlike) attachment to her maid-of-honor, Sarah. Childlike that is, until we realize that the veritable Queen Anne was utterly friendless (certainly in the absence of Ms.Churchill), and, in a manner of speaking, quite childless. Ought we to mention here sister Mary's manner of disfavoring Anne, upon the former's ascendence to the throne? If so, then Anne likely found in Sarah the sister she had not. Last but not least, ponder the nature of Sarah's solemn dependency on Anne's need for her ready counsel and confidence into advanced middle age -- an unreasonable expectation by most standards. Plausibly enough, the writers seem to have adopted the stance that this marriage of female intellects need not have served to fill any void within Sarah's or Anne's one true "marriage" that endured, that is respectively, the union with John Churchill or George of Denmark. That being the case, who can explain the way in which Anne's private regard for Sarah suddenly "soured," after thirty years of heartfelt confidences? Ms. Hampshire has a theory as to why this rift occurred, and if we add to her theory the fact that Anne had long been a tormented soul (but for the support of her very loving husband,George, and her hitherto abiding friendship with Sarah), we may well conclude that there was a method to Anne's madness. Ah, but no matter the method, we view such madness as an unpardonable offense. Despite the overwhelming injustices Anne has been made to endure, the viewer naturally feels more sympathy for Sarah, who for thirty years has been an unfaltering pillar of strength,deference and fortitude, all at Anne's behest. To say that the manner in which Ms. Hampshire (as actress) depicts Sarah's witness of the queen's final rejection is heartrending, is perhaps to say too little. Watch this powerful drama, fraught with countless captivating moments, and see for yourself. The interview on DVD with Susan Hampshire is an engrossing one, offering fascinating historical exposition, the Emmy-winning actress's praiseworthy views on acting technique, and recollections of what it was like to be on the set. Although Ms. Hampshire informs us that she was not the actress originally slated for the role of Sarah Churchill (Duchess of Marlborough), it is difficult to conceive of any other actress succeeding so well in that role.
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