Customer Reviews

Leaders in Battle - Oliver Cromwell

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The English Civil War of the 1600s with Oliver Cromwell; the man who changed the government of England (in the long term) and had enough clout to override other people in power to have England's monarch executed. He had an obscure life for the first 40 years and suffered from depression which he only broke when he found God. An awesome military strategist his elite Ironside Cavalry carried the day at Marston Moor even when he was wounded and pulled back. Many see him as a monster ("The Curse of Cromwell") for his horrific actions in Ireland. That said, his legacy increased the maritime power of England turning it into a world power many years later. WHEN WATCHED: 12/14/2010; MY GRADE: B (B plus if you like the period paintings used to tell the tale).

Oliver Cromwell is without question one of the most significant people in the history of England. He was one of the primary people responsible for the execution of Charles I and for a short time managed to turn England into a form of a republic. However, to the Irish and Scottish people, he was a genocidal tyrant. His willful slaughter of large numbers of Irish in towns overrun by the English army still inspires hatred. This tape contains a series of poorly acted recreations of his actions as well as expert commentary from historians.
The tape takes a balanced view of Cromwell, and that is in evidence when his Irish campaign and other foreign actions are discussed. While there is no attempt to avoid the slaughter of the Irish, it is balanced somewhat by the notion that it quickly ended the Irish insurrection. The commentary is glowing when discussing the quality of the British Foreign Service when Cromwell was in power.
Cromwell is also given credit for not personally profiting from his power and for making no attempt to be declared king. Given the times and the reality of how many members of Parliament were using their positions for personal gain, that is unusual. As a historical figure, Cromwell excites great passions, both for and against. This tape takes a balanced view, placing him into the proper historical context and making no attempt to hide his occasional brutality.