Alfred the Great
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Clive Donner
David Hemmings
Michael York
Prunella Ransome
Colin Blakely
Ian Mckellen
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
While 9th-century England is being plundered by the fierce Danes, Alfred, who is about to become a priest, is persuaded to lead the Christian armies in the defense of their land. He uses a new concept in battle, the pincer movement, and his forces are victorious. Alfred, however, becomes aware of his own lust for blood. Now a hero, Alfred is offered the hand of Aelhswith, the daughter of Buhrud, King of Mercia, and he marries. Alfred remains chaste, nevertheless, maintaining his intention of becoming a priest. When his weak older brother, Ethelred, dies, Alfred inherits the kingdom of Wessex. He is still caught between the two forces of Church and State, but he finally gives up his priestly ambitions when he violently consummates his marriage. Again he faces Guthrum, leader of the Danes, who have entered England to pillage the countryside. Alfred finally agrees to a treaty--he will give up a huge amount of gold and his wife (of whose pregnancy he is unaware) as hostage. Alfred, after a tragic loss by his army, goes into the marshland to live with bandits, vowing that he will never again take up the sword. The need to resist the Danes, however, changes his mind; and with the help of the nobles and peasant reinforcements, he is victorious. He rescues his wife and newborn child and gains the respect of the Danes, leading Guthrum to believe in the Christian God. Having united England, he becomes known as Alfred the Great.
Director
Clive Donner
Cast
David Hemmings
Michael York
Prunella Ransome
Colin Blakely
Ian Mckellen
Peter Vaughan
Alan Dobie
Julian Glover
Vivien Merchant
Julian Chagrin
Jim Norton
John Rees
Christopher Timothy
Peter Blythe
Sinead Cusack
Barry Evans
Barry Jackson
Henry Woolf
Andrew Bradford
Keith Buckley
Michael Billington
David Glaisyer
Ralph Nossek
Eric Brooks
Trevor Jones
Russell Campbell
Crew
Ernest Archer
Brian Cummins
Alice Holmes
Michael Killanin
Josephine Knowles
Raymond Leppard
Robert Macdonald
Fergus Mcdonell
Patrick Mcloughlin
John Merrick
Roy Parkinson
Peter Price
Jocelyn Rickards
Bernard Smith
Bernard Smith
Tom Smith
Allan Sones
Tony Spratling
Paul Stader
Michael Stringer
Cyril Swern
Ken Taylor
Alex Thomson
James R. Webb
James R. Webb
James R. Webb
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Location scenes filmed in Galway County, Ireland. Opened in London in July 1969.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States October 8, 1969
Released in United States Summer July 2, 1969
Released in United States October 8, 1969
Released in United States Summer July 2, 1969
