God’s Revolution
A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Historical Drama
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God’s Revolution
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Narrated by:
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full cast
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Bernard Hepton
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Nigel Anthony
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Christian Rodska
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Graham Blockey
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By:
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Don Taylor
About this listen
An epic 12-part drama about the events leading up to, and following, the execution of King Charles I
England, 1647. Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army has routed the Royalists, and the king, having fled to Scotland, has been ransomed, sent back across the border and imprisoned. It seems the war is over, but there is trouble ahead. Parliament wants to disband the army and install its own militia—an act that looks, to Cromwell's loyal soldiers, like outright betrayal.
As dissent grows within the ranks, agitators such as Francis White and John Reynolds, and leading Leveller John Lilburne, step up to speak for the common man. What began with a dispute over army demobilisation soon becomes far more, and a radical faction arises demanding freedom, equality and power to the people. But for Cromwell and his commander in chief, Thomas Fairfax, this is a challenge to Parliament's authority and smacks of revolution. Facing a schism within the army, Cromwell is torn—but when the king escapes from custody, he and his troops have a new threat to deal with....
Meanwhile, the women at home have troubles of their own. Clever, independent Penelope White is subject to the whims of her intransigent father, who wants her to marry a man of his choosing. And Lilburne's wife, Elizabeth, must risk her life each time she smuggles forbidden political papers into his cell in the Tower of London. As their men prepare to fight once more, what does the future hold for them?
Set between the pivotal years of 1647 and 1649, this classic civil war drama stars Bernard Hepton as Cromwell, Nigel Anthony as Fairfax, Graham Blockey as Francis White, Christian Rodska as Lilburne, William Eedle as Charles I, Deborah Makepeace as Penelope and Maureen O'Brien as Elizabeth.
Cast and credits
Written by Don Taylor
God's Revolution
Lord General Fairfax - Nigel Anthony
John Church—Eric Allan
Francis White—Graham Blockey
Charles I/Lieut. Colonel Jackson/Cornet Denne—William Eedle
Oliver Cromwell—Bernard Hepton
Stephen White—David March
John Reynolds—Kim Wall
John Lilburne—Christian Rodska
James Thompson—Simon Cuff
Miles Sindercombe/Col. Rainsborough/Sir William Waller/Morrison—John Baddeley
Corporal Perkins/Silent soldier/Simeon/Joseph/Winstanley/Brother Gerard—Steve Hodson
Colonel James/Lockyer/Major General Skippon/Huntingdon—Peter Craze
Edmund White/Major Gooday/Col. Scroop—Cornelius Garrett
Penelope White—Deborah Makepeace
Elizabeth Lilburne—Maureen O'Brien
William Thompson/Captain Musket—Anthony Jackson
Commissary Ireton—Bill Wallis
Edward Sexby/Col. Whalley—John Hartoch
Lady Anne Fairfax—Lin Sagovsky
Cornet Joyce/Everard—Jonathan Nibbs
Betty—Zelah Clarke
Mrs Cromwell/Martha—June Barrie
John Lilburne—Christian Rodska
Beggar woman—June Tobin
John Wildman—Stephen Rashbrook
Robin—Elizabeth Lindsay
Isaac—Christopher Asante
Capt. Hatton—Alan Coveney
Pride—Norman Eshley
Mary Overton—Barbara Kellermann
Mrs Chidley—Ellen Dryden
Barry—Paul Sirr
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin and Ronald Mason
Psalms arranged by Blaise Compton
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7th October-23rd December 1988
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"Classy writing...wonderfully crisp, with a brilliant cast." (The Spectator)
What listeners say about God’s Revolution
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jitterbug
- 11-07-22
Excellent Dramatisation
This is a noisy, action-packed and fast-paced drama set in the middle of the English civil war.
It’s a great recording, and sounds fantastic through multiple speakers.
I liked how the drama is split into 12 sections, like the radio broadcast, so it is easy to listen to as much or as little as you like with natural breaks.
It might be helpful to refresh yourself with the main protagonists and their roles, before listening - as everything happens very quickly in this production!
I found this a really enjoyable and entertaining listen, and I particularly liked how the drama focused on the soldiers more than big political players.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 21-08-22
Riveting and vivid
Should be compulsory for all school students as part of their citizenship education. It’s a formative but forgotten or ignored part of our national story.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. R. Jarmain
- 05-02-22
Absolutely riveting. A tour de force.
This has to be one of
the best radio plays of all time. The story is skilfully constructed, the direction and performances superb. I found it absolutely riveting! Don't miss it!!
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- rt19561
- 04-08-22
Dated
It’s an OK listen if you’re interested in the history. A bit too much overacting for my liking but the biggest issue is the volume which is all over the place.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr. N. WOODRUFF
- 04-11-22
A fascinating insight into Oliver Crowell
The journeys, battles, trials and tribulations in the life of Oliver Cromwell. God's Man or villain
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rufus
- 29-01-22
Loved it on Radio4 Extra so I bought the audiobook
A great listen on Radio4 Extra, it's even better now that I can listen when I like.
It's an English Civil war drama that engages the listener in historical events, not just of the main characters such as Oliver Cromwell and King Charles, but many of the troops.
A recommendation for anyone interested in historical drama.
Chapters are named.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- rcwApr10
- 20-11-23
Compelling story accessibly presented
The story is well constructed and held my attention for over 11 hours of intensive listening. Some excellent voice acting, particularly Bernard Hepton as Cromwell and Nigel Antony as Fairfax. There is the occasional variation in volume as others have said but I didn’t get distracted by it. It might be slightly ‘worthy’ for some but it’s of its time. I don’t think a production on this epic scale on this subject would be attempted now…. Thanks Audible and the other reviewers for recommending.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Auribus
- 04-02-22
A World Turned Upside Down
This drama is set in a truly fascinating period of history but it can be followed without knowing too much about it. The writing, acting and production values are as one would expect from the BBC superb and the listener really feels they are in there amongst the characters. It sounds as fresh now as when it was made in 1988 even allowing for advances in production techniques since then. Along with the BBC's By the Sword Divided it is a superlative look at a time when the world indeed appeared upside down as the country violently split into Royalist and Parliamentary factions.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 03-12-22
Superb
A sprawling historic epic that balances both the history making moments with personal stories throughout. Brilliant voice acting throughout.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rosieb
- 16-12-22
Cromwell -v- the Crown
Really good background account of the period for those new to the events. Brought to life by the actors
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1 person found this helpful