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| Masterpiece Theatre: All the King's Men | 
| Director: Julian Jarrold
Actor: David Jason; Maggie Smith; William Ash; Sonya Walger; Stuart Bunce; James Murray (xiii); Ed Waters (ii); Tom Burke (iv); Ben Crompton; Eamon Boland; Jo Stone-fewings; James Hillier (ii); David Troughton; Emma Cunniffe; Adam Kotz; Patrick Malahide; Gaye Brown; Phyllis Logan; Ian Mcdiarmid; Danny Worters
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $10.41
You Save: $9.54 (48%)
Buy New/Used from $9.88
Avg. Customer Rating:  (10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 24955
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 120 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D33659D
ISBN: 1593755201
UPC: 783421336599
EAN: 9781593755201
ASIN: B000A7DW8U
Release Date: November 1, 2005
Theatrical Release Date: February 20, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
The true story of England's vanished regiment is revealed. It is one of the most compelling and curious legends of the First World War. Led by Captain Frank Beck (David Jason), a favorite agent of King George V (David Troughton, Madame Bovary), Sandringham Company was comprised entirely of servants, grooms and gardeners from the King's Norfolk Estate. On August 12, 1915 the unit marched into battle against the Turks in Gallipoli and simply vanished, never to be heard from again. Queen Alexandra, played by Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, A Room with a View), was the driving force behind the investigation into the real fate of the battalion. But despite her extensive inquires, no trace of the men was ever discovered. Now, All the King's Men brings the details of what really happened in 1915 to the screen for the first time. It tells the story of these amateur soldiers, the idyllic life and loves they left behind in the quintessential English country estate and the horrors of an ill-prepared campaign to which they were subjected.
Amazon.com
In 1915, during World War I, a doomed campaign was fought by the Allies against German-affiliated Turkish forces in the Dardanelles. (This devastating conflict was also the inspiration for the 1981 Australian film Gallipoli.) The Fifth Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, composed wholly of servants, grooms, and gardeners from King GeorgeV's estate at Sandringham, was sent into the fray and, legend has it, vanished without a trace into a mysterious mist. This deeply affecting Masterpiece Theatre production, All the King's Men, tells the horrifying true story of what really happened to these men. From paradise on an English country estate, we follow them into the chaotic hell of war on blistering foreign shores. The pathos of the innocence and optimism of these boys, some as young as 14, as they march off to battle is tremendous. Before shipping out, Sergeant Ted Grimes (William Ash) celebrates a joyous wedding to his childhood sweetheart, plucky Peggy Batterbee (Emma Cunniffe), assuring her of his swift return. Gallant Captain Frank Beck (David Jason) has trained his boys well in the principles of loyalty and duty. Tragically, they soon learn that these niceties are worse than useless during wartime. Performances by a large ensemble cast are superb in this engrossing TV film. Dame Maggie Smith is a standout, exuding marvelous warmth and wisdom as the Queen Mother Alexandra, who mounts an extensive inquiry to determine the real fate of her beloved lads. --Laura Mirsky
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 All the King's men November 22, 2008
To much emphasis was placed on the private lives of the soldiers. David Jason, although a good actor, was mis-cast. His age and physique was not in keeping the era portrayed. Another thing was that there was too much supposition on the fate of the soldiers ending. Were they killed in cold blood or was that theory.
All the King's men May 7, 2007
A thoughtful speculation on one of the great mysteries in WWI's forgotten war in the Dardanelles.
semi factual film February 25, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I must say a lot of this film is pure fiction and is definitely sensationalised such as the young bride who has to have sex with the nearest man!
Captain Frank Beck was a real person, and I was brought up with the story about him, as his 3rd daughter was my grandmother.
I feel it shows his nephews as quite pathetic characters but in fact they were very brave men(as were a lot of soldiers of their time) and they were later decorated with military crosses although sadly none of them survived the war.
As fiction its ok as fact, take it with a pinch of salt-loosely based on fact
David Jason did a much better job than I expected from an actor more known for comedy
All the King's Men January 31, 2003
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Slightly stuffy and fractured, but that really doesn't change this PBS miniseries' special qualities at all. Maggie Smith is quite good in her role, and adds humour to it as well. The other cast members are excellent, with direction and writing at tops.
A must if you enjoy Masterpiece Theater.
Moving Drama April 12, 2002
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
A very well made, moving drama about the Estate workers at Sandringham who volunteer during The First World war to fight the Turkish in Gallipoli. Unlike the Mel Gibson Film, this focuses purely on the British contingent at the Dardanelles and the suffering and losses involved.The legend of the Sandringham soldiers has it that a mist descended on them as the marched into battle and that they were never seen again. This actually shows the reality of battle, the distinct lack of glory and the shambolic reconnaisance which leads in turn to the inevitable result. As the drama unfolds, we are introduced to the characters and have enough time to get used to them and start to understand and like them. If war films are not your thing, believe me, this is very different. Worth a watch, especially the ever-dependable David Jason.
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