All the King’s Men was a one off period drama broadcast on BBC One on 14 November 1994. David Jason headlined alongside Maggie Smith. In the ultimately sad drama, when world war one breaks out, a group of men working on the Royal Family’s Sandringham estate decide to join up, led by estate manager Frank Beck (David Jason). On 12 August 1915 the platoon of men went over Sulva Plain in Gallipoli and were never seen again.
Based on a true story the script was written by Alma Cullen and directed by Julian Jarrold. Amongst the high profile cast, which included Patrick Malahide, Phyllis Logan and David Troughton, there was a role for a young Tom Burke as Private Chad Batterbee.
production details
UK / BBC1-WGBH Boston / 1×110 minute episode / Broadcast Sunday 14 November 1999 at 9.00pm
Writer: Alma Cullen / Music: Adrian Johnston / Costume: Howard Burden / Design:David Woods / Military Advisor:Taff Gillingham / Producer: Gareth Neame / Director: Julian Jarrold
cast
DAVID JASON as Capt Frank Back
MAGGIE SMITH as Queen Alexandra
WILLIAM ASH as Sgt Ted Grimes
SONYA WALGER as Lady Frances
EAMON BOLAND as Arthur Beck
DAVID TROUGHTON as King George V
EMMA CUNNIFFE as Peggy Batterbee
PATRICK MALAHIDE as Capt Claude Howlett
GAYE BROWN as Queen Mary
PHYLLIS LOGAN as Mary Beck
JAMIE BEDDARD as Roland Adams
JAMES MURRAY as Pte Will Needham
TOM BURKE as Pte Chad Batterbee
BEN CROMPTON as Pte Davy Croft
JO STONE-FEWINGS as Lt Alec Beck
ADAM KOTZ as Oswald Yeoman
