Rating: 
Summary: What was A&E thinking?
Review: Other reviews have treated this DVD fairly, both in its good and bad points. The worst of all, as has been noted, is that for some foolish reason, A&E cut an hour out of the production. To add insult to injury the very first scene of the making of featurette shows a scene that does not appear in the American version. Finally, why is there no captioning or subtitling in this DVD? Does A&E not care for the hearing impaired or those who don't understand the language of the period and might benefit from the subtitles? My wife is Japanese and can easily follow Brit dramas when she has subtitles to read. Another of my friends is hearing impaired, and neither could enjoy this dvd. I note the british video cassette has captions--wasn't able to find the information for the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Top notch drama from BBC and A&E.
Review: There is a reason why the 16th and 17th centuries will always remain a popular choice as a subject of TV and film dramas. With its topics relating to the rights of royal succession, familial conflicts, religious strife, morality, greed and a monarchy-in-chaos (and the occasional bodice ripping), these stories will always whet the appetite of viewers. "The Last King" is no exception. Like the stories based on Henry VIII and his wives, Elizabeth I and Marie Antoinette, the story of King Charles II of England is filled with high drama and conflict that provides ample entertainment to viewers. For the sake of oversimplifying, I would liken it to a cross between the film "Elizabeth" (starring Cate Blanchett) and the TV miniseries "Tom Jones" (starring Max Beesley). When the story begins we find Charles in dire straits - he is in exile from his home country; his father, Charles I, has been murdered; and Oliver Cromwell now 'governs' England. Upon the death of Cromwell, Charles is invited back to rule England where he finds his country torn apart between Catholics and Protestants. Throughout his rule, Charles II earned a reputation as the 'merry monarch' - a man who loves art and music and counts gambling and women among his vices. He collects many mistresses throughout his lifetime - most notably Barbara Villiers (Helen McCrory) and the actress Nell Gwynn (Emma Pierson) - and has a childless marriage with the Portuguese princess Catherine de Braganza (Shirley Henderson). While he remains Protestant, his wife is Catholic and his younger brother (and heir) James converts to Catholicism, which only fuels the fire with the predominantly Protestant Parliament. This topnotch production was co-produced by the BBC and A&E - the fine folks who brought us "Pride and Prejudice," "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," "Tom Jones" and "Emma" (starring Kate Beckinsale). The production values, locations, costumes and casting are all excellent. One of the main successes of this series, however, is the fine acting of Rufus Sewell (in the title role), Shirley Henderson, Rupert Graves (George, Duke of Buckingham), Helen McCrory and the supporting cast. Since his early role as the brooding Will Ladislaw in BBC's "Middlemarch" to his funny turn as the hunky Seth Starkadder in "Cold Comfort Farm" and his malevolent portrayal of Agamemnon in "Helen of Troy," Rufus Sewell has proven himself to be one of Britain's most versatile actors. He does a superb job in portraying Charles as a charismatic and sympathetic yet deeply flawed and conflicted monarch. Also, what sets "The Last King" apart from other historical-based dramas is how it successfully juggles the seriousness of the issues of the time and yet remains entertaining and even (at times) lighthearted. There are moments of heavy drama but - as Charles romps about his court and/or seduces his latest mistress - also moments of 'cheekiness' and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this mini-series, which was shown in a full 4-hour stretch (including ads) in the US on A&E Network. Fans of this time period may also want to check out "Lorna Doone" (starring Amelia Warner and Richard Coyle), an excellent British drama based on R.D. Blackmore's novel, which deal mainly on events following the death of Charles II. If you are an anglophile, a fan of historical based films and particularly if you admire Rufus Sewell or Rupert Graves ("Forsyte Saga," "A Room With A View," "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall") then you will certainly enjoy "The Last King."
Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS
Review: This film (T.V. program) is fabulous (and I don't use the "F" word lightly). The production is wonderful as are the sets and recreation of the era. MOST OF ALL the actors are superb! However, the true stand out, as far as acting is concerned, is Diana Rigg--when she is on the screen all others are simply blown off of the screen! That is some accomplishment since she is surrounded by great actors that are really into their roles.
This production is a treasure. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS
Review: This film (T.V. program) is fabulous (and I don't use the "F" word lightly). The production is wonderful as are the sets and recreation of the era. MOST OF ALL the actors are superb! However, the true stand out, as far as acting is concerned, is Diana Rigg--when she is on the screen all others are simply blown off of the screen! That is some accomplishment since she is surrounded by great actors that are really into their roles.
This production is a treasure. Buy it!
Rating: 
Summary: An informative and entertaining historical drama
Review: This is an excellent film in the tradition of Napoleon and Elizabeth the Great. It tells of the political battle raging during this time between Royalty and the English Parliament. Great acting, wonderful costumes, and convincing dialects, accents, and scenery make this "miniseries" well worth your time.
The special features are a bit lacking, as usually A&E Films offer bonus features such as History Channel documenteries, etc.
This disk offers nothing of this nature, which is why I give it 4 stars instead of 5.
Rating:
Summary: The Merry Monarch
Review: With a life full of lust and intrigue, Charles II (1630-1685) makes a good subject for this A&E/BBC production, which is lavish and wonderful to look at.
The film begins at his father's beheading in 1649, and after a period in exile, Charles becomes king in 1660; he soon after marries a Portuguese princess (Catherine of Berganza, played by Shirley Henderson) for her dowry, and though she never gives him a heir, it's a strange relationship that lasts.
Charles was more interested in wine and women than ruling, therefore was known as "The Merry Monarch", but had some catastrophic events during his reign, like the Great Plague of 1665, that was soon followed by the Fire of London, that left much of the city little more than ash and rubble. The Dutch warships would threaten the coast, and the citizenry, usually referred to as "the mob", and Parliament, making their anti-Catholic sentiments a problem when it came to his brother and heir, James. Mostly this film centers on his mistresses, which are many. The most meddlesome is the lascivious Barbara Villiers, played with gusto by Helen McCrory, who also beds Charles' best friend as well as his son. As his best friend, the Duke of Buckingham, Rupert Graves puts in yet another outstanding performance, and Diana Rigg is terrific as his unloving mother, Queen Henrietta.
Rufus Sewell is superb as the king, and kudos must go to the makeup department for the very subtle aging throughout the film which adds to the believability of the characters.
Director Joe Wright and writer Adrian Hodges, with the beautiful cinematography of Ryszard Lenczewski and lovely score by Rob Lane, have brought us an entertaining view of this fascinating era of one of England's ruling families, with its sumptuous costumes on people who somehow always look a little dirty, fabulous palace interiors, numerous but tastefully filmed bedroom scenes, and some history too.
Rating:
Summary: The Merry Monarch
Review: With a life full of lust and intrigue, Charles II (1630-1685) makes a good subject for this A&E/BBC production, which is lavish and wonderful to look at.
The film begins at his father's beheading in 1649, and after a period in exile, Charles becomes king in 1660; he soon after marries a Portuguese princess (Catherine of Berganza, played by Shirley Henderson) for her dowry, and though she never gives him a heir, it's a strange relationship that lasts.
Charles was more interested in wine and women than ruling, therefore was known as "The Merry Monarch", but had some catastrophic events during his reign, like the Great Plague of 1665, that was soon followed by the Fire of London, that left much of the city little more than ash and rubble. The Dutch warships would threaten the coast, and the citizenry, usually referred to as "the mob", and Parliament, making their anti-Catholic sentiments a problem when it came to his brother and heir, James. Mostly this film centers on his mistresses, which are many. The most meddlesome is the lascivious Barbara Villiers, played with gusto by Helen McCrory, who also beds Charles' best friend as well as his son. As his best friend, the Duke of Buckingham, Rupert Graves puts in yet another outstanding performance, and Diana Rigg is terrific as his unloving mother, Queen Henrietta.
Rufus Sewell is superb as the king, and kudos must go to the makeup department for the very subtle aging throughout the film which adds to the believability of the characters.
Director Joe Wright and writer Adrian Hodges, with the beautiful cinematography of Ryszard Lenczewski and lovely score by Rob Lane, have brought us an entertaining view of this fascinating era of one of England's ruling families, with its sumptuous costumes on people who somehow always look a little dirty, fabulous palace interiors, numerous but tastefully filmed bedroom scenes, and some history too.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply dreadful
Review: Wonderful costumes and sets and fine actors cannot help this miniseries. It was torture to watch. The story of this king is compelling and deserves better treatment, but the writers can't seem to do that, relying every 20 minutes or so on "naughty" suggestions of oral sex and lesbian exploration to keep the viewers glued to the set. I love period dramas from the BBC, but this was a miss.
Rating:
Summary: Simply dreadful
Review: Wonderful costumes and sets and fine actors cannot help this miniseries. It was torture to watch. The story of this king is compelling and deserves better treatment, but the writers can't seem to do that, relying every 20 minutes or so on "naughty" suggestions of oral sex and lesbian exploration to keep the viewers glued to the set. I love period dramas from the BBC, but this was a miss.
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