A fantastic follow-up to "Victoria Regina" from two years before, this expands the importance of prime minister to be Disraeli (Trevor Howard), going from member of the House of Commons to the highest non-royal position in Great Britain. Married to the very independent-minded Greer Garson (allegedly for her money), Disraeli has to deal secretly with many anti-semitic comments, having been raised as a Christian even though he was born Jewish. Wife Garson, in spite of her health issues, remains a great influence on him, and as her health declines, his power rises.
"Don't declare war to prevent war", Howard tells the queen, played here by Kate Reid. She is powerful as Queen Victoria as Julie Harris was two years before, although this shows her more in her role as ruler rather than just her romantic life. Queen Victoria wants to declare war on Russia because she fears that the Russians will try to block their passage to India if they win their current war against Turkey, so she's just as much of a war monger as her male predecessors. Brilliant detail and great direction once again by George Schaefer who had guided Judith Anderson and Julie Harris to Emmys the previous years. Howard is much better as Disraeli than the showy George Arliss was in his Oscar winning role, and at least this filmed play shows the historical aspect in greater detail, rather than the romantic figure that Arliss played.
"Don't declare war to prevent war", Howard tells the queen, played here by Kate Reid. She is powerful as Queen Victoria as Julie Harris was two years before, although this shows her more in her role as ruler rather than just her romantic life. Queen Victoria wants to declare war on Russia because she fears that the Russians will try to block their passage to India if they win their current war against Turkey, so she's just as much of a war monger as her male predecessors. Brilliant detail and great direction once again by George Schaefer who had guided Judith Anderson and Julie Harris to Emmys the previous years. Howard is much better as Disraeli than the showy George Arliss was in his Oscar winning role, and at least this filmed play shows the historical aspect in greater detail, rather than the romantic figure that Arliss played.