Many historians have been critical of Shakespeare’s interpretation of Richard III and, though this latest adaptation hasn’t yet aired, Benedict’s portrayal has already come under fire. In the first episode, Henry V is dead and a young Henry VI (played later in the series by Tom Sturridge) is now the reigning monarch, with all power vested in his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester (Hugh Bonneville).īy the end of the first film, the focus shifts to the Duke of York’s third son, Richard, his ruthless ascent to the throne and descent into madness, culminating in the brutal disposing of his two child nephews in the Tower of London. And again and again and again.The centrepiece of the BBC’s William Shakespeare season, which marks the 400th anniversary of his death, it’s a gritty look at the battle for the English throne. My copy of the DVD is on order, and I cannot wait to watch these magnificent productions again. And my 19 year old daughter and 16 year old son agree - I am no wrinkled greybeard, bemoaning the loss of the golden age, but I hope to see more of these productions stunning gems of real culture and tradition, nestled amidst the dross of reality TV programming and the glorification of idiocy that is typified by the celebrity culture in which we live. To paraphrase the words of another denizen of Shakespeare's limitless imagination, Prospero, these productions: ".are such stuff as dreams are made on " Thank you, whoever had the common sense to commission and nurture these productions the best thing I have seen on my television this year. Shakespeare's language, his vision and his political and social world, brought to life by different directors with differing approaches, but with a singular aim - to entertain an audience with the most powerful weapons available - language. I cannot find enough superlatives to praise these sublime productions.
Also, the spellbinding music, the authentic locations, the detailed costumes, the sensitive cinematography, the wonderful direction and, of course, the eternally magnificent words. The fantastic supporting cast - especially Simon Russell Beale and Julie Walters and Rory Kinnear.
The - again - equally glorious Jeremy Irons as Henry IV. The equally glorious Tom Hiddlestone as Henry V. What makes this selection of History plays so sublime? The glorious Ben Wishaw as Richard II.
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