Richard II
- Episode aired Sep 20, 2013
- Not Rated
- 2h 21m
The incompetent Richard II is deposed by Henry Bolingbroke and undergoes a crisis of identity once he is no longer king.The incompetent Richard II is deposed by Henry Bolingbroke and undergoes a crisis of identity once he is no longer king.The incompetent Richard II is deposed by Henry Bolingbroke and undergoes a crisis of identity once he is no longer king.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPembroke Castle, the castle with the large tower in the film, was inherited by Richard II following the death, in a jousting accident, of its owner John Hastings in 1389. Pembroke Castle was the birthplace of King Henry VII in 1457.
- GoofsCharacters repeatedly mispronounce "Hereford" as "Hair-ford". The character is called "HERFORD" in the text. That is how Shakespeare wrote it and intended it to be said - the production is respecting that. Pronouncing it "Hereford" doesn't fit the poetic metre. Spellings and pronunciations were simply far more variable then.
- Quotes
King Richard: Let's talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs. Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes write sorrow on the bosom of the earth. Let's choose executors and talk of wills. And yet not so. For what can we bequeath , save our deposed bodies to the ground? Our lands, our lives and all are Bolingbroke's. And nothing can we call our own but death. And that small model of the barren earth wich serves as paste and cover to our bones. For god's sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings. How some have been deposed; some slain in war; Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed; Some poisoned by their wives; some sleeping killed All murdered. For within the hollow crown that rounds the mortal temples of a king. Keeps death his court. And there the antic sits, scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp Allowing him a breath, a little scene, to monarchise Be deared and kill with looks Infusing with self and vain conceit, As if this flesh wich walls about out life, Were brass impregnable. And humoured thus, comes at the last And, with a little pin, bores through his castle wall and, Farewell, King!
- ConnectionsFollowed by The Hollow Crown: Henry IV, Part 1 (2012)
This production kicks off the 'The Hollow Crown' series, which is a fascinating one made up of two seasons/cycles and seven Shakespeare adaptations (two though having two parts to them) with high production values and great casts. With this 'Richard II', what a way to start the series off. It is also a wonderful production of 'Richard II', that is a must for Shakespeare buffs and those wanting to see productions of lesser plays done justice. Also highly recommend the BBC Television Shakespeare, another fascinating though less even in quality series, production from 1978 with Derek Jacobi, one of the best productions from that series.
Others have already said what is so great about 'Richard II' and how all the components fare, and there is not much more to add. The sets and costumes are the very meaning of lavish, have not seen costumes for any Shakespeare production this lavish in a long time, and also love the authenticity of the sets and how it always looks as though there is a time and place. Even more impressive on the visual front is the photography, actually cannot believe that this is a film. With photography this varied, clever and beautiful, it could easily pass for one. The sense of time and place is also reflected in the music, which is placed well and isn't intrusive.
Shakespeare's text/verse is so poetic and full of emotional power. The staging never felt cluttered or static and there was some great attention to detail throughout, big and small. It even made me feel for the somewhat underwritten character of Isabella (played touchingly by Clemence Posey). Thanks to Rupert Goold, the story doesn't have a dull spot, spot on in timing and didn't have trouble following, which is a danger if one is not familiar with 'Richard II' because it has a lot to it.
Ben Whishaw is not taxed at all by this complex title role, it demands a lot of things and Whishaw brings out all of them in a way that's commanding and affecting. He is very well matched by especially Patrick Stewart's sincere and poignant John of Gaunt, David Suchet's authoritative York and particularly Rory Kinnear's understated Henry (remarkably nuanced when not saying a lot, do agree about his electrifying chemistry with Whishaw). Lindsay Duncan is powerful too, especially in the rescue of her son which will stay with one forever. Posey does what she can with Isabella. Oh, and who couldn't help love that monkey?
All in all, fantastic. 'Richard II' does not get much better. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 20, 2019
Details
- Runtime2 hours 21 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1