[aspirinpharmacist]

Hey, not sure if this thread's already been done, in which case someone please point me to it. But yeah, was anyone else watching Richard II earlier? The first of what promises to be four fantastic historical plays by Shakespeare, all retold and made into brilliant films, if the first one is anything to go by. Looking forward to Henry IV: Part I next week. I thought Ben Wishaw did a fantastic job as Richard II, I was getting seriously emotional by the end of it. If the BBC don't release these on DVD they're doing us all a disservice and I will honestly consider staging a protest. Or laying seige to BBC studios, in the true spirit of medieval kings...

So, what did everyone else think? Here's the trailer for anyone who hasn't seen it.

[yl_llb]

Very good, I loved the adaptation.

[peaseypease]

I thought it was brilliant but am confused. Tom Hughes is down as playing Aumerle - York's son, but at the end he seems to be playing Exton who murders Richard and drags his coffin in - or am I being a complete duh!?

[CuriousQuestioner]

Loved it! Very engaging and good cinematography to which kept it running smooth throughout. Hopefully will bring more people to read Shakespeare! They really took time over it and didn't rush it which I noted as I was watching it; I recommend it.

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by peaseypease)
I thought it was brilliant but am confused. Tom Hughes is down as playing Aumerle - York's son, but at the end he seems to be playing Exton who murders Richard and drags his coffin in - or am I being a complete duh!?

No, it's definitely Tom Hughes both times. Not sure why they did that actually. Maybe they thought it would be more significant to have Aumerle do it?

[Abyss of Stars]

I absolutely adored this!!

I have never seen or read any of the History Plays and therefore I am going to watch all of these avidly. I have completely fallen in love with Richard II, it might be my favourite play now. Does anyone know whether this is coming out on DVD? If it looks unlikely, I will definitely sign any petition in order to make it so! Thank you BBC!!

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by Abyss of Stars)
I absolutely adored this!!

I have never seen or read any of the History Plays and therefore I am going to watch all of these avidly. I have completely fallen in love with Richard II, it might be my favourite play now. Does anyone know whether this is coming out on DVD? If it looks unlikely, I will definitely sign any petition in order to make it so! Thank you BBC!!

I've been having a look and apparently NBC bought the DVD rights to it. So there is going to be a DVD but I don't know when yet. BBC weren't going to, or show it to an international audience because they thought Shakespeare wouldn't appeal to people abroad. A cast like that should appeal to everyone, everywhere. Richard II is brilliant, if the rest of them are as good as that then I am definitely going to be converted from Shakespeare's comedy plays to his historical ones. I've never seen/read any of them either. These are amazing, I wish these had been out when I was still at school (literally just left a month ago), it would have been awesome to study one of the plays in English and then see these adaptations.

[aspirinpharmacist]

Bumping this thread because anyone who saw Henry IV: Part II and didn't cry is heartless. No, seriously.

[aspirinpharmacist]

HENRY V JUST NOW. HOLY **** IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I can't even speak properly, I think this is actually what having your mind blown feels like. Someone please tell me they watched it as well?

Sorry, I'm far too excited about this. But it was insanely good.

[Abyss of Stars]

(Original post by aspirinpharmacist)

I can't even speak properly, I think this is actually what having your mind blown feels like. Someone please tell me they watched it as well?

I COMPLETELY agree. So awe inspiring and ridiculously powerful. I loved every second. I also have some good news. Type in 'Hollow Crown bbc' into Amazon. He he he!!! It's being released October at some point !!!!

I hope this makes you as happy as it made me!!

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by Abyss of Stars)
I COMPLETELY agree. So awe inspiring and ridiculously powerful. I loved every second. I also have some good news. Type in 'Hollow Crown bbc' into Amazon. He he he!!! It's being released October at some point !!!!

I hope this makes you as happy as it made me!!

I know!!!!

Really?! YES!!!!! So excited. Can't wait for the DVD. This has actually been my favourite thing on TV all year.

[geetar]

I've just watched H 4, Part 2. It's one of the few Shakespeare plays that I haven't studied, so that was interesting.