For the purposes of this review, Henry The IV Parts 1 and 2 will be considered one play.
William Shakespeare has created some of the most timeless stories that to this day are adapted and referenced. That his material still holds the attention of actors and audience alike speaks to his work. The works in question here, Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V form a sort of continuing story of the monarchy of England. Not included is Edward III, which chronicles the monarch directly before Richard II, nor the plays based on the monarch Henry VI, the immediate successor.
It is always interesting to see how Shakespeare gets adapted. A modern setting such as the recent Joss Whedon helmed Much Ado About Nothing or a complete change of setting such as Akira Kurasawa’s masterpiece Ran, an adaptation of King Lear each have their merits. Even Hamlet can be done the same way three times and still offer up different insights.
The Hollow Crown brings the plays in question to viewers in a very comprehensive manner. While each director offers their own take on their respective material, it really does feel like a unified body of work here, a dramatic telling of the history of the British monarchy.
Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddleston each portray the titular kings, but they are not the only big names here. Patrick Stewart, Julie Walters, Geraldine Chaplin, John Hurt, Richard Griffiths, David Morrisey, and others show up. This is a project that certainly attracted a high caliber of talent and for good reason.
These are solid adaptations of Shakespeare historical dramas Or tragedies, depending on your point of view and school of thought. If you’ re not sure if you’re a fan of “the bard? this probably isn’t the best place to start. Henry V might be pretty accessible, but in the context of watching it after Richard II and Henry IV, it is much more interesting.
Lavish sets and on-location shooting are certainly highlights, but it is the acting that will keep viewers enthralled for the entire 8+ hours. Break it up into four nights, you’ll enjoy it more that way. Another option for more advanced Shakespeare viewers would be to sit through the whole thing in one day, perhaps over the weekend. While I am rather familiar with most of Shakespeare’s work, this was an idea I towed with but ultimately rejected.
A couple of special features look at the making of the individual productions as well as the overall series. These are decent and can be viewed either before or after.
Definitive? Probably not, especially considering a bunch was cut from each individual play. Still these are solid adaptations that offer up an interesting perspective. This is made all the more so considering Richard II isn’t adapted with any regularity, and even less so on film.