1066

Series 1 | Episode 1 | 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth

Cast and Crew Information

Cast

Ozouf
played by Anthony Debaeck
Ordgar
played by Francis Magee
Judith
played by Gemma Lawrence
Drogo
played by Hamish McLeod
Tofi
played by Mike Bailey
Coutances
played by Peter Guinness
Aelf
played by Sam Hardy
Snorri
played by Søren Byder
Leofric
played by Tim Plester
Watch this episode now on 4oD Viking warriors set sail towards England

Crowhurst newlywed Tofi and his farmer friend Leofric are torn from their Sussex homes by the English warrior Ordgar and summoned to defend the English coast from invasion. But while the army of King Harold waits in the south, fierce Vikings set sail from the fjords of the north.

The Vikings land in Cleveland - and annihilate the men of Yorkshire at the Battle of Fulford. Hearing of this surprise invasion, our English fighters are ordered to march 280 miles north to repel the invaders. After an epic trek they meet the Vikings at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. But the Vikings have divided their force - and the English triumph.

It's the end of the Viking age, and Ordgar, Tofi and Leofric have survived. But news soon reaches them that the Normans have landed in Sussex. Their own homes are under attack, so they must run all the way south again to save all that they love.

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Monday 18 May 2009 9PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Saturday 12 September 2009 2.45AM Channel 4

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Comments

  1. This was one of those shows that you hold dear in your memory. It brings our rich history to a grimy reality. Yes, it was a documentary. But it was also a movie. And although the characters were semi-fictional, they help to hold the story. I've always had an interest in history, but this program has brought a renewed interest that begs me to desire more. And I urge you to make more of the same nature. Perhaps you could do the Tudors, only, you could make it more factual. Like Henry actually gaining weight! Brilliant 10/10. Need more!
    Posted by Stinker on 16/10/2009 06:29:01
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  2. I really enjoyed this programme. SO much so I have been trying to buy the soundtrack, but can't find it anywhere. I pmplore Channel Four to release the soundtrack. It fitted really well and would make excellent listening!
    Posted by Emma on 27/09/2009 19:53:48
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  3. Low budget? Didn't notice. No, honestly! If this was low budget then it shows that quality doesn't have to cost the earth. There is no excuse for spending big money on rubbish, and C4 have set the benchmark for low cost/high quality. C4 has gone up in my estimation immensely after this broadcast. The story was brilliantly written and presented. I was gripped. There was no time-wasting padding, no "this-is-what-we-told-you-before-the-break-and-this-is-what-we're-going-to-tell-you-in-the-next-bit", just good story-telling that flowed smoothly from start to finish. Everything about this programme (and episode 2) shouts "First Class!!" The 'fact' that Harold was hit in the eye wasn't trotted out as if it was gospel, which indicates that the producers were more interested in truth than they were in fable. This is not to say the arrow in the eye was untrue, but unproveable and as such showed the production to be founded on good, solid research with the desire to present accuracy where possible and offer educated suggestions otherwise. This is the sort of programme I expect the BBC to broadcast, since their creed is supposed to be "Inform, Educate, Entertain". Well done C4 for beating them so soundly at their own game!!!
    Posted by Mark Harrod on 29/08/2009 00:12:31
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  4. i really liked this show and i think the soundtrack really fits it, but i have been searching to find out the names of the music and who wrote it. if any of you know please leave a comment for me to read.
    Posted by s0hil1 on 04/08/2009 23:44:30
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  5. excellent program, inspired me to read further on the period. The 'frontline' approach to covering such a momentous period in our history worked particularly well. Such a refreshing change from the usual dross on tv - well done channel 4.
    Posted by mick on 20/07/2009 09:14:11
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  6. Absolutley brilliant.Great story,great acting,great production.It was an joy to watch.It realy opens your eyes to the history of our country in a most enjoyable way.Should be shown in every school.Thank you Channel 4.
    Posted by Jake on 18/06/2009 23:36:46
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  7. Very impressed, a sad chapter in our great history well told. It could only have been better by briefly visiting a few other characters in the ranks to give us a real idea of scale. Really enjoyed it though, it got the imagination of our history flowing in a way that high school in the 90's utterly failed to do. My views on the budget - well, I don't know whether to be flattered and impressed by it's low-cost realism or insulted that an important chapter in our history wasn't given the equivalent deserving respect in cash. I am however absolutely overjoyed that for once at last there's some credible viewing that focuses on England and the English. 'Hereward The Wake' next? Or maybe a prequel - The Battle of Brunanburh? Or maybe the origins of the English? .. ahh so much story telling to do, C4!
    Posted by Johnny on 13/06/2009 02:13:42
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  8. best drama by c4 yet maybe you could bring out one about the romans?
    Posted by cartz on 05/06/2009 17:30:06
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  9. Channel 4 deserves every credit for producing a programme of such superb quality and devastating insight. The unfolding of the year 1066, perhaps the most awful and tragic of all the years of English history, could not have been better told. This was the most sympathetic, credible, and well researched treatments of the monumental events of 1066. Everything about the programme was impressive, from the excellent narration of Ian Holm, the thoroughly believable performances of the cast, and the authenticity of scenery and settings. More please!
    Posted by Stephen Sykes on 02/06/2009 14:44:13
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  10. superb. harrowing and humourous. maybe the english resistance/rebellions of the years 1067-1070 could be given the same treatment? have to say i felt pretty anti-french after watching this!
    Posted by TMIB on 25/05/2009 21:40:12
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  11. Really really really enjoyed this, i was glued from start to finish and will most definitely be getting it when it comes out on DVD. All i can say is that I hope for more dramas like this from Channel 4! The cast were excellent, the way it was told from the soldiers point of view was gripping and sneering reviews about the budget just show how snobbish collectively we have become - if anything it was refreshing to see a more homegrown production. Any chance of getting the cast and crew together again? There is so much of British history left to tell after all...
    Posted by Haughtonous on 24/05/2009 12:04:30
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  12. I only heard about this when browsing what I soon found out was an out of date TV guide in the GP's. I've now watched this episode and it was excellent. Not quite as "Rome" but because it focused on English history I found at even more enthralling. Well done Channel 4, please please look into the history of the British Isles and wou well able to see so many stories of bravery, love, betrayel, war etc etc that you could produce thousands of these types of drama and at the same time, you'd be helping to promote the national history and identity of these great home nations. I've off to watch the second episode mow.
    Posted by Ironside on 23/05/2009 22:15:20
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  13. Very impressive drama; much better than I expected it to be. Hope this isn't the last we see of this cast, crew, and director.
    Posted by Ken on 22/05/2009 19:01:48
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  14. I liked the use of the kenning 'whale-road' from Beowulf.
    Posted by Wade on 21/05/2009 09:15:50
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  15. I missed this on normal tv and had to watch on catch up. What a brillient historical documenty. all the other posts have said what i needed to say. apart from dont make this a one off continure with this great work. yes it was on budget but you have show that more can be done for less.
    Posted by Mark Schamely on 21/05/2009 02:14:46
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  16. I am eager to watch this programme, but regardless of the strength of my internet connection, the programme is constanly buffering. I cannot watch more than 5 to 10 seconds at a time before it stalls again. I have been trying to watch episode one since it was released online - please help! I wish to join the crowds below boasting of the virtues of this programme.
    Posted by Cora_pearl on 21/05/2009 00:27:48
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  17. Would have been good to watch it. Seriously how do actaully watch it on catch up? I selected the program (ie this one) but could not find the link to actually watch it. Can anyone suggest anthing?
    Posted by Nick Toleman on 20/05/2009 19:20:33
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  18. Great drama and excellently produced. I thought the chilling point came right at the end. One fifth of the land owned in England is still owned by descendants of our foreign invaders. I think after 943 years it's about time we finally asked them to go 'get orf our land' !
    Posted by JULIAN on 20/05/2009 17:31:14
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  19. I was thoroughly gripped over the two nights that this excellent programme was shown, and will DEFINATELY be purchasing a copy on DVD! I was also chuffed that you included the 'Anglo Saxon Riddle' - the answer to which I knew! Brilliantly authentic and and just how programming should be - the actors were all excellently cast! Well done!
    Posted by Marie McNeil on 20/05/2009 13:26:04
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  20. I have NEVER contacted a TV company to praise a programme before, so this comment on "1066" shows my appreciation. This was simply the best television I have seen for years. It was educational, entertaining and superbly filmed. Moreover I have an interest in the period and, as far as I know, it was historically pretty accurate (something that such dramas rarely achieve). I think that all associated with the production of the two episodes deserve the highest praise. Simply, it was brilliant!
    Posted by Tony Perry on 20/05/2009 12:39:48
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  21. An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable portrayal of an important part of our history. The struggles of the fighters and the native population were depicted sympathetically but without sentiment. This should be required viewing for all history students. One minor criticism - did Channel 4 have to keep reminding us the programme contained scenes of violence at the end of every commercial break? The programme was about three battles, after all. Apart from that, excellent.
    Posted by Amanda on 20/05/2009 10:53:05
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  22. Just watched episode 2 of this series having missed the first one. I was enthralled from start to finish. It is the best film of its type I have seen since Peter Watkins' Culloden in 1964. Everyone involved deserves plaudits, the writers, the cameramen, the actors and the director. However, could I make a special mention of Ian Holm's wonderful narration which glued the whole production together as far as I am concerned? This was magnificent television and the creators and producers deserve every possible award going for their efforts.
    Posted by Jim Bruce on 20/05/2009 10:25:14
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  23. Cannot understand the frankly 'savage' reviews this programme received in The Times. One or two inaccuracies granted-the Housecarl's were a little more regimented by 1066 and there was a lack of moustaches displayed on the English side-but a fabulous introduction nevertheless to anyone unfamiliar with the period. Full marks to the producers for getting this 'so often' neglected gem in our history dramatised!
    Posted by John on 20/05/2009 09:51:11
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  24. dear sirs I have watched this thrilling 2 part episode of 1066 what I would like to know is when is the book or dvd coming out II looked in channel4 shop but coulsd not find it there please could you send me details on when these will be coming out yours miss lena scott
    Posted by lena scott on 19/05/2009 23:20:14
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  25. For obvious reasons I would be interested to learn where the name Ordgar in the series comes from and any information that is available to help in research. Thank you for your help.
    Posted by John Orgar on 19/05/2009 20:43:05
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  26. Great history lesson. Well done Uncle Brian, great shots of you resting on your shield 40 odd mins into episode one!!
    Posted by Richard on 19/05/2009 17:08:48
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  27. What a wonderful program this is. I know it was low on budget, but I thought it told the story very well. The "No pushing at the back!" scene at the Battle of Stamford Bridge was hilarious. Lets have more programs like this and less of the American rubbish that swamp Channel 4 and E4 these days.
    Posted by Tim on 19/05/2009 13:01:23
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  28. I agree totally with Brian Sallis's comment. I was at school in the 80's, and history lessons weren't much better then. If only we had this when I was younger, I would have paid attention a lot more! I love the way the program told the story from both sides, and the fact that it wasn't told from the kings perspective, but rather from the ordinary mans point of view. This allowed you to feel an affinity with the characters, and get a real understanding for what they all must have gone through. Can't wait till next week. WELL DONE CHANNEL 4, YOU HIT THE MARK AGAIN!!!
    Posted by Pascal De Polla on 19/05/2009 12:06:22
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  29. One of the best documentaries I've seen on Channel 4. I was glued to the screen and pleased by the direction, narration, camera work and the way the story was conveyed. Brilliant way to present our history, and beautifully done at the same time. Cannot wait to see the entire series and hope the same team go on to make more historical documentaries in the same fashion.
    Posted by on 19/05/2009 11:13:50
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  30. the best history leson i have ever had if it had been like this when i was at school in the 50's i would have learned a lot more than i did and school would have been a lot more intresting the best HISTORY program i have ever watched well done top of the class for entertainment and factual content
    Posted by brian sallis on 19/05/2009 08:41:43
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  31. Great programme, love the humour in it, though i thought the battle at stamford bridge was small scale, but it brought the era of our history to life, we have changed some much but yet remain so similar
    Posted by Darren Sharrocks on 18/05/2009 23:41:33
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  32. At last; a British historical film with authenticity in costumes, props, sets and settings! And the dialogue and topics seemed free of anachronism. Bravo!
    Posted by DRUMALBAN on 18/05/2009 23:37:56
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  33. Interesting programme. Although the Northmen landed at Riccall, which is not in "Cleveland"!! It's 8 miles south of York. When the site of the former glass works in Fishergate, York was excavated in 1985-6, many damaged human remains were found. Fulford is a mile down the road.....
    Posted by john of york on 18/05/2009 23:37:53
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  34. Thank you for a most interesting programme. Read some sneering reviews, mostly about the budget. For me this film really brought that period of history to life; more so than many high budget dramas. The realistic settings made it very believable. Next time I'm walking in the woods I'll look out for Vikingr!
    Posted by Paul T on 18/05/2009 22:58:12
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  35. When can we view the episode of the battle at Stamford Bridge. My son Brodie played a part in it as an extra (he was in the cart when it was attacked)
    Posted by Alan Stevens on 18/05/2009 00:06:35
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  36. Were on holiday at Danes Dyke when filming in progress. Have been waiting for series. Viewed clips, and really impressed. cant wait for next week to see finished article. Excellent work
    Posted by peter on 14/05/2009 20:20:45
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