A Company of Men
- Episode aired Dec 8, 2017
- TV-MA
- 54m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia, was boycotted by Egypt, Iraq, Cambodia and Lebanon (in response to the Suez Crisis), by The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland (in protest for the Soviet Union's presence in the Hungarian Revolution), and by The People's Republic of China (due to the Republic of China's presence in the competition). Once underway, the Games progressed smoothly, and came to be known as the "Friendly Games".
- GoofsWhen Anthony Eden is discussing his medication with his doctor, a pill bottle is clearly labeled as 'Pentobarbitone' yet in the ensuing description, states that each pill contains amphetamine. In reality, Pentobarbitone (Pentobarbital) is the literal opposite of amphetamines. Pentobarbital is a barbiturate (a sedative/hypnotic) which is a powerful central nervous system depressant which slows the activity of the brain and induces sleep as well as a powerful state of relaxation. Amphetamine, on the other hand, is a powerful stimulant which eliminates fatigue and keeps the user awake and alert.
- Quotes
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Just don't ever let my vanity get the better of me again.
- ConnectionsReferences Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Featured review
Men's company
"Misadventure" was a highly impressive start for Season 2, which in general was of equally exceptionally high quality as Season 1. It is interesting when an episode of 'The Crown' primarily focuses on another character other than Elizabeth, this has varied up to this point with 'The Crown' (being a big success with Churchill but not as compelling with Margaret). Had little doubt that "A Company of Men" would do something to progress Phillip's character, something that did need to happen.
It does this very well on the most part. "A Company of Men" may not one of the best episodes of Season 2, let alone one of the best of 'The Crown'. Also thought that it was not as great as "Misadventure". It was a very good episode though, with most aspects in fact executed excellently. Although the pacing is not always secure, the much needed character development for Phillip showed a lot of promise with even more room for growth.
"A Company of Men" isn't perfect. Will agree that the episode does drag at times and that would have been solved if the side plot was more compelling and progressed more than it did. There was not an awful lot to it and it was like the writers laudably were going to great lengths to give meat to Phillip and that the side plot was a slight afterthought.
However, "A Company of Men" has a huge amount to like about it and most of the components as said are excellently done. Absolutely loved the character development to Phillip, something that dominates the episode. It is illuminating development and well balanced and it progresses Phillip as a character significantly. This is an instance of both hating and feeling sympathy for him, and seeing him in a dilemma that is uncondonable in what he does yet his point of view can be understood.
The acting is uniformly very good, with Matt Smith authoritative and nuanced as Phillip and Jeremy Northam a conflicted Eden. The production values have their usual sumptuous class and the photography once again can't be faulted. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.
Writing is thought-provoking and intriguing, with some subtle tension and an intimacy without being too closed. It doesn't come over as soapy or too modern. The story is too deliberate in stretches but everything with Phillip is highly intriguing, intelligently done and makes one eager to see how and whether it advances.
Concluding, very good if a slight step down. 8/10.
It does this very well on the most part. "A Company of Men" may not one of the best episodes of Season 2, let alone one of the best of 'The Crown'. Also thought that it was not as great as "Misadventure". It was a very good episode though, with most aspects in fact executed excellently. Although the pacing is not always secure, the much needed character development for Phillip showed a lot of promise with even more room for growth.
"A Company of Men" isn't perfect. Will agree that the episode does drag at times and that would have been solved if the side plot was more compelling and progressed more than it did. There was not an awful lot to it and it was like the writers laudably were going to great lengths to give meat to Phillip and that the side plot was a slight afterthought.
However, "A Company of Men" has a huge amount to like about it and most of the components as said are excellently done. Absolutely loved the character development to Phillip, something that dominates the episode. It is illuminating development and well balanced and it progresses Phillip as a character significantly. This is an instance of both hating and feeling sympathy for him, and seeing him in a dilemma that is uncondonable in what he does yet his point of view can be understood.
The acting is uniformly very good, with Matt Smith authoritative and nuanced as Phillip and Jeremy Northam a conflicted Eden. The production values have their usual sumptuous class and the photography once again can't be faulted. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.
Writing is thought-provoking and intriguing, with some subtle tension and an intimacy without being too closed. It doesn't come over as soapy or too modern. The story is too deliberate in stretches but everything with Phillip is highly intriguing, intelligently done and makes one eager to see how and whether it advances.
Concluding, very good if a slight step down. 8/10.
helpful•100
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 5, 2021
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK(Windsor Castle)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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