Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1984) (TV) (The BBC version) was directed by David Hugh Jones. It stars Mike Gwilym in the title role, and Amanda Redman as his daughter Marina.
Pericles is one of four major plays that Shakespeare wrote at the end of his career. They are generally referred to as "Late Romances" or just "Romances." That's because they don't fit into any of the other standard classifications of Shakespeare's plays--tragedies, comedies, and histories. As a group, they share many qualities, such as shipwrecks or other dramatic events, and relationships between fathers and daughters. Frequently, the plot has a redemptive quality, and includes the reuniting of long-separated family members. The Romances often end in weddings--like the comedies--but before the weddings there are truly tragic events, comparable to those in the tragedies. Pericles fits this pattern very well.
In this version, as with all the BBC Shakespeare movies, we are given great performances by superb actors. We also see excellent costumes. The BBC often skimps on sets, but not so in Pericles. The sets are elegant, and this is no easy feat because Pericles moves--or is forced to move--from ancient city to ancient city throughout the play.
I highly recommend this movie, because it is well acted and very faithful to Shakespeare's text. We saw Pericles in 2015 in Stratford, Ontario. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival almost always does a fine job, and they did a fine job with Pericles. I've seen many of the BBC Shakespeare movies, and I can say that the BBC almost does a fine job, and they certainly gave us an outstanding version of Pericles.
The BBC movies were made for television, so they'll work fine on the small screen. If you love Shakespeare, seek out this film.
Pericles is one of four major plays that Shakespeare wrote at the end of his career. They are generally referred to as "Late Romances" or just "Romances." That's because they don't fit into any of the other standard classifications of Shakespeare's plays--tragedies, comedies, and histories. As a group, they share many qualities, such as shipwrecks or other dramatic events, and relationships between fathers and daughters. Frequently, the plot has a redemptive quality, and includes the reuniting of long-separated family members. The Romances often end in weddings--like the comedies--but before the weddings there are truly tragic events, comparable to those in the tragedies. Pericles fits this pattern very well.
In this version, as with all the BBC Shakespeare movies, we are given great performances by superb actors. We also see excellent costumes. The BBC often skimps on sets, but not so in Pericles. The sets are elegant, and this is no easy feat because Pericles moves--or is forced to move--from ancient city to ancient city throughout the play.
I highly recommend this movie, because it is well acted and very faithful to Shakespeare's text. We saw Pericles in 2015 in Stratford, Ontario. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival almost always does a fine job, and they did a fine job with Pericles. I've seen many of the BBC Shakespeare movies, and I can say that the BBC almost does a fine job, and they certainly gave us an outstanding version of Pericles.
The BBC movies were made for television, so they'll work fine on the small screen. If you love Shakespeare, seek out this film.