GUNPOWDER

UK, 2017, 175 minutes, Colour.
Kit Harrington, Peter Mullan, Liv Tyler, Derek Riddell, Sian Webber, Robert Emms, Thom Ashley, Shaun Dooley, Mark Gattis.
Directed by J Blakeson.

Television audiences havehad the opportunity to look at the Reformation and the tensions between Catholics loyal to Rome and those wanting to break from Rome in Wolf Hall. The subsequent history has been seen in the many films focusing on Elizabeth I, particularly Elizabeth and its sequel, starring Cate Blanchett.

This production, seen initially in three episodes for television, takes up the Catholic and Protestant tensions subsequent to the death of Elizabeth, and the accession of James I and the Stuarts to the English throne. Elizabeth died in 1603.

James I appears in Gunpowder but the focus is very much on Catholic rebels, particularly Kit Harrington as Sir Robert Catesby sounding out fellow Catholics, preparing military action against the king, going into action and losing. But this is also the story of the Gunpowder plot, Guy Fawkes and his associations with the Catholics, the plan to blow up the parliament.

The film also focuses on the Jesuits and their presence in England at the time, still functioning, but more and more persecuted, even tortured (presented vividly here). There is also the story of the Recusants and their having masses celebrated in their homes, and the priest holes where the clergy could be concealed. There is a particular focus on Father Henry Garnet, played effectively by Peter Mullan, Superior of the Jesuits, ultimately arrested, tortured and executed. In the background is also the story of Father John Gerard, a supporter of the Gunpowder plot (but somewhat fictionalised in this version).

Mark Gattis is particularly sinister as Lord Robert Cecil, determined to crush the Catholics.

1. The title? Audiences knowing about British history and the Gunpowder Plot of the 17th century?

2. British history, the 17th century, the end of the reign of Elizabeth, James I? The role of the Cecil is in these rains? Religion, Protestantism, Catholics, the Jesuits, anti-Catholic stances, torture, the rack? Execution, hanged, drawn and quartered?

3. The period, costumes and decor, the locations, the royal palace, mansion’s, homes and hiding halls, Jesuit refuges, Catholic meeting places, the streets, torture the rack, the gallows? The musical score?

4. The introduction, the family at Mass, Father Garnet, communion, the Jesuits present? The attack by Wade, the soldiers? The hiding holes for the priests, the closet, the sofa? The servants tidying the house, the bed, the vessels…? The family and the stances? Thomas, young and earnest? Anne, standing proudly? Lady Dorothy Deepdale, in charge, taking responsibility? The role of the servants? The search, lady Dorothy Stoic, applications of the law? Knocking on the closet doors, Daniel Smith and his seeing the risk for father Garnet? His surrender, arrest? Lady Dorothy and her arrest? The treatment, on the gallows, humiliating her by stripping her, the stones and the weight crushing her? The antagonism of the crowds, the hatred? Thomas and and watching?

5. The King, succeeding Elizabeth, his rule, personal manner? Issues of the law, his advisers, the issue of Spain and the treaty, those favouring the treaty, Cecil and his staff, Wade, trying to undermine the negotiations? Meetings and discussions?

6. Cecil, his manner, his stooped, sinister, his father in Elizabeth’s time? Politics, scheming? You his use of Wade?

7. Thomas Catesby, devout Catholic, becoming fanatical? The death of his wife, the treatment of his son, blaming him, the later reconciliation? His relationship with an?

8. Cecil, the arrest of Smith, the torture, the grim execution, his head on a pike? In regard it, the Jesuits, in hiding, his being calm, the drinking of the wine, the ticket for do a four Smith, it is being taken, the investigation? The differences with John Gerard? Thomas coming for confession, the plot, the sea with confession? Garnet disagreeing, not revealing the truth? His arrest, treatment in prison, Cecil visit, the glass of wine? The interrogation, no information, prison, death of the gallows?

9. The persecution, the refugees into a, the Requisite Catholics? Lord Stanley and his stances?

10. Spain, the Catholic atmosphere, the possibility of the treaty, the political implications, trade implications? The constable and his negotiations, advisers? Thomas and John going to Spain, the audience, trying to persuade the constable? The Spain is going to the United Kingdom, meeting with the King? Their being used, meetings and betrayals? The finale, the king, Cecil, the treaty?

11. The character of guy Fawkes, working with Stanley, the assassinations, his identity is, a character? Meeting with Thomas and his friends? The pledges, the plan, raising troops around the country from the estates, fanatical Catholics? Thomas and his confession? John Gerard and his attitude, supporting the plot (and is not being in fact factual)?

12. Cecil, interrogating Thomas’s son, getting the information about Spain? The interactions with Anne, her defying him? Her escape with the son?

13. The scenes of torture, the rack, Cecil present and watching?

14. His dealings with the Spaniards? Concessions and deals? Surviving?

15. The plan, the gunpowder, collecting the gunpowder, and a Parliament house, the setup? The information, the arrests, the failure of the plot?

16. The battle, the fighting, the deaths, Thomas and his confrontation and being shot? The heads on the Pikes?

17. A sober look at an aspect of British history?