The Hollow Crown - TV Mini Series [DVD]

Compellingly Shakespeare studies in detail the strengths and weaknesses of three consecutive kings. Richard II (Ben Whishaw), led astray by flatterers, learns all too soon "Divine Right" offers no protection when one so alienates. Henry IV (Jeremy Irons) feels doubly insecure - mindful his crown was obtained by force and all may be lost if his pleasure-loving heir continues to cavort with low life. Henry V (Tom Hiddleston) is that wayward prince transformed, previous experiences allowing him the common touch that helps secure glorious victory against France.Four discs. Four interesting bonuses. Many imaginative touches and much to provoke thought. Ben Whishaw tells how the Histories are amongst the less accessible of Shakespeare's plays, actors thus having to work that little bit harder. A major aim has been to make the magnificent language sound as natural as possible. Film, rather than stage, gives far greater scope for nuances, so much conveyed by subtle expressions. Fascinatingly, characters not featured prominently in print visually now have a major part to play. Take John Hurt's Chorus in "Henry V", for example. (Slight spoiler coming up!) Only at the very end do we learn this old man has been looking back on events witnessed as the page boy we were seeing so often. (By the way, the very start of "Henry V" may unsettle some.)Throughout, much is superb - full of unexpected touches that add rather than distract. "Richard II" is visually stunning, full of colour to reflect the monarch's extravagant lifestyle. "Henry IV" is generally far more austere, that pivotal battle amidst snow a highlight. "Henry V" has Harry's two traditionally rousing speeches more as asides to those closest around him.When viewed in quick succession, continuity is greatly helped by Tom Hiddleston being in both "Henry IV" and "Henry V" (by happy chance, as it turns out). Earlier, Rory Kinnear's future Henry IV becomes Jeremy Irons when King, which initially jolts a little. Both actors are superb, but in different ways.With so much excelling, it may seem unfair to single out just one performance, but Simon Russell Beale's Falstaff may for many prove a lingering memory - especially when all his high hopes, indeed confident expectations, are so devastatingly dashed. Movingly portrayed is the shock from which he will never recover.Great talents have converged, the result a triumph.(P.S. Which of the three Kings reigned longest? The answer may surprise you. It certainly did me.)

I stumbled uopn the series during a lengthy scene between Falstaff and Hal (Henry 4th part 1) and was completely mesmerised with the first few minutes.The Henry's had always been too focused on pride,patriotism and war to really interest me and i had never really undrstood the attraction within the relationship between Hal and Falstaff.But Simon Beale and Tom Hiddleston not only allowed me a multi-layered insight into the warmth and humour within their bond but drew me in emotionally.Equally the scenes between Henry and Hal won my heart as well, both when Henry is being reprimanded and the Hollow Crown interaction prior to Henry's death-and i was riveted through out.I have now watched the entire series at least twice I am full of praise for the quality of all the acting,the overall production and the visuals.I am impressed by the accessibility and the ease with which I have understood the language.I cannot claim to be an authority on what is the "right "way to produce these plays but as a series which was emotionally enticing and explored man's experience of friendship,family and war it certainly worked for me.Ben Whishaw was excellant in the movement of his charactor across Richard, somehow making him sympathetic as well as flawed.I have seen the previous verions of Henry 5th but never have I sat and listed to the speeches with such attention and involvement.As much as I liked the previous actors who played Henry on screen, those scenes had been far to patriotic and batle orientated to hold my interest but Hiddleston gave them new meaning and a depth of ambiguity which had me reacing for my copy of Shakespeare.Viewers might differ in their response to his interpretation but his charisma and delivery of the text was outstanding.Having been unaware of Hiddleston as an actor I have now been tracking his career and what has amazed and impressed me is the legion of fans from his stint as Loki God of Mischief, in the Marvel Comic films,who have emersed themselves in these plays, some of whom i suspect would never have tuned into a series on Shakespeare. The response and discussions has been both intriguing and positive.After the surfiet of cheesy entertainment shows,reality television and soaps it is breathtaking to have watched soomething which engaged both the artistic sensibilities and the mind.This BBC is one of the reasons why I sing your praises.

Great productions, well acted and superbly delivered. But......the editing was a touch too savage for my liking and I could have 'endured' far more than was presented. The 'cut scenes' have been well documented by other reviewers so I'll avoid repetition apart from saying that I would have willingly sat through another hour for each production. I understand that cutting the length was necessary to fit the plays into a busy schedule and, sadly, because our attention limits are so much reduced these days, but I think the BBC would have been surprised by the uptake despite the (reportedly) poor viewer figures.All four productions gave an excellent insight into this shady era in our history (as presented by Shakespeare!) and I was delighted that my 12-year-old son was able to sit through them all without squirming too much. A convert? Time will tell but he's already stated his intention of watching them again. That said, his enthusiasm might be just a foil to get his own way for other purchases and I can feel the sucker caption coming on. But, I'll reiterate, if they can keep him enthralled and asking questions they must be good productions.The casting was superb and I had little difficulty in believing in the characters as portrayed and, unlike other reviewers, I found that Falstaff was handled sensitively by Simon Russell Beale whose interpretation - dare I say it - was a touch more realistic than some of the overly affected portrayals that I'd witnessed before.I am reviewing the TV mini-series here and await the DVD release with some anticipation. You never know, there might even be an extended version that re-introduces some of the cut scenes.

These four made for television film versions of Shakespeare's tetralogy covering the reigns of Richard 11, Henry 1V and Henry V are a triumph. For once. Shakespeare's dramas seem totally at home on film ; there is nothing stagey about the presentations or performances, which , indeed, showcase British acting talent at its matchless best. The plays come across as totally fresh and accessible as dynamic political and personal dramas, and the total experience seems to be nothing less than a celebration of England - her language, her past, her countryside, her architecture , and above all, her people, from the lowest to the highest, with their humour, their follies, and their glories....the envy of less happier lands, indeed.

Unfortunately this does not play on my TV as it only works in the UK and Europe; I know better now! However I am getting a new DVD player which will play all regions hopefully. I have watched tree of the discs on my computer and am most impressed with the quality of the performances and the outdoor staging. So five stars for the product, but wish there could be universal recording!

Los actores, la ambientación, cine británico en estado puro... Las tres historias están dirigidas por tres directores distintos pero se nota una continuidad increible. Los tres actores protagonistas están que se salen, una lección de cómo se actúa y cómo se interpreta a Shakespeare.

Hollow Crown è un ottimo prodotto britannico suddiviso in tre dvd: Richard II, Henry IV 1° e 2° parte e Henry V. I tre drammi storici di Shakespeare sono famosissimi, niente da aggiungere... questa produzione vede un ottimo e famoso cast (da Ben Wishow a James Ivory a Tom Hiddleston, per citare i protagonisti), ambientazioni, locations e costumi sono perfetti. Non fatevi ingannare dalla dicitura "Edizione Germania", perché il dvd è in lingua inglese con i sottotitoli in inglese. Chiaramente i dialoghi sono shakespeariani originali (in blank verse). Adatto a chi ama Shakespeare, soprattutto perché trasposizioni sui suoi drammi storici non sono frequenti.

Un tour de force comme la BBC sait les produire :- Shakespeare, en costume,- dans ses pièces historiques, moins connues que ses comédies et ses tragédies,- dans une mise en scène dynamique- des acteurs exceptionnels, des personnages principaux aux personnages de soutien, qui disent un texte intense avec un naturel qui rend cette langue ornementée familière- une mise en scène intense, des décors soignés .....A découvrir, à déguster,Et ne résistez pas, vous deviendrez accro quelque soit votre force de résistance.A espérer que nos dramaturges et auteurs français bénéficient un jour d'une telle volonté durable de production de qualité. Hors sujet mais j'en profite !!!!