John Neville
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
Series
Watch The First Churchills (1969) Online
No video is available for The First Churchills - S1E1 yet. Check back soon.
6.84 votes196950mEndedDrama
Synopsis
The First Churchills is a 1969 twelve-part BBC television serial starring John Neville as John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and Susan Hampshire as his wife, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Written and produced by Donald Wilson, and directed by David Giles, the series is notable as being the first programme shown on PBS's long-running Masterpiece series in the United States.
Episodes
Miniseries
PreviousNext
- 1. The Chaste NymphNow viewing1969-09-2750mAt the court of Charles II, young John Churchill advances his career by serving the king’s bastard son, Monmouth, in the field of battle, and by bedding the king’s mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland. Young Sarah Jennings is also advancing at court, by befriending the king’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of York, and teaching the York princesses, Mary and Anne, the art of gambling. At a court masque, the two meet, and sparks fly.
- 2. Bridals1969-10-0450mIn 1675 a masque was performed at the Court of Charles II at Whitehall. There the young soldier John Churchill, Groom of the Bedchamber to the King's brother, fell in love with a pretty lady-in-waiting, Sarah Jennings.
- 3. Plot Counter-Plot1969-10-1150mJohn and Sarah have married. Lord Shaftesbury has threatened Charles with rebellion. To appease his Protestant Parliament, Charles has arranged a marriage between Mary and the Prince of Orange.
- 4. The Lion and the Unicorn1969-10-1850mThe rage against Popery in England continues. James, Duke of Monmouth, has become the protégé of Shaftesbury who plans to make him King. But Churchill has refused to support Monmouth. Charles has resisted all pressure to disinherit his brother James.
- 5. Rebellion1969-10-2550mCharles has been forced to send James into exile and to dissolve his factious parliament at Oxford. The Princess Anne has married George, Prince of Denmark, and has chosen Sarah to be one of her Ladies of the Bedchamber.
- 6. The Protestant Wind1969-11-0150mMonmouth, the hope of the Protestant rebels, was defeated by John Churchill at Sedgemoor.
- 7. Trial of Strength1969-11-0850mJohn Churchill owed much to James II. But the King was clearly determined to destroy the Protestant religion and the laws of England, so John decided to support William of Orange and the Revolution of 1688.
- 8. The Queens Command1969-11-1550mWilliam III, with Churchill's help, has defeated James' attempted invasion of Ireland. John has been suspected of treason and dismissed from Court. Princess Anne has refused to obey her sister Mary and part with Sarah.
- 9. Reconciliation1969-11-2250mIn an atmosphere of national panic John, falsely accused of Jacobite treachery, has been imprisoned for a time in the Tower. After Mary's death, William receives Anne at Court.
- 10. A Famous Victory1969-11-2950mBefore he died William III recognised Marlborough as his successor in the task of defeating France. With the accession of Anne, John and Sarah have risen to a position of pre-eminence.
- 11. Breaking the Circle1969-12-0650mTo save the Holy Roman Empire from French invasion Marlborough led his allied troops into Germany and defeated the French at the Battle of Blenheim.
- 12. Not Without Honour1969-12-1350mMarlborough continues his success in the war against France, but his prestige at home and with Anne has been impaired by the devious backstairs intrigue of Robert Harley.
Cast
Top Billed Cast
Susan Hampshire
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
John Standing
Sidney Godolphin
Sheila Gish
Queen Mary
Availability
Where To Watch Legally
No legal streaming, rental or purchase options for The First Churchills were reported for this region.
Recommended
More Like This
SeriesThe Crown
8.22016
SeriesThe Tudors
7.82007
SeriesVersailles
7.72015
SeriesWolf Hall
7.52015
SeriesVictoria
7.42016
SeriesDownton Abbey
8.12010
SeriesUpstairs, Downstairs
7.81971
SeriesReign
8.12013
SeriesBlood, Sex & Royalty
7.02022
SeriesPride and Prejudice
8.21995
SeriesBecoming Elizabeth
6.72022
SeriesQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
8.02023
SeriesBridgerton
8.12020
SeriesThe White Princess
7.72017
SeriesHarlots
7.32017
SeriesParenthood
7.52010
SeriesOutlander
8.22014
SeriesBrothers and Sisters
7.12006
SeriesAmbitions
7.32019
SeriesWar and Peace
7.52016
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The First Churchills available to watch online?
Vidbox does not currently have a legal streaming, rental or purchase option on record for The First Churchills in this region.
How many seasons does The First Churchills have?
The First Churchills has 1 season and 12 episodes.
When did The First Churchills first air?
The First Churchills first aired in 1969.
Is The First Churchills still running?
The First Churchills's status on TMDB is: Ended.
What genre is The First Churchills?
The First Churchills is classified as Drama.