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Shakespeare's History Plays – The Hollow Crown

Play trailer Poster for Shakespeare's History Plays – The Hollow Crown Sep 2013 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale.

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The Hollow Crown — Shakespeare's History Plays

The Hollow Crown — Shakespeare's History Plays

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Critics Consensus

The Hollow Crown summons some of Britain's most exemplary acting talent and gorgeously crafted production values to enliven the Swan of Avon's immortal words with an energetic panache fit for the 21st Century.

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Critics Reviews

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Allison Keene Collider 09/09/2020
A masterful program that is not an easy watch, because of the dense nature of the material, but ultimately a very rewarding one. Go to Full Review
Evening Standard Staff London Evening Standard 04/23/2019
This is an intense and deftly shot Richard II, neatly trimmed down to size and accessible without being trivial. Go to Full Review
Holly Williams Independent (UK) 04/23/2019
It was the turn of Henry V -- and you couldn't help feeling a tad sorry for its director, Thea Sharrock... It's a gloomy, soupy thing, in the familiar mould of many a literary adaptation, and feels staid and stodgy for such a violent play. Go to Full Review
Lynden Barber Limelight 11/21/2019
If one of the most important marks of a successful Shakespeare production is the ease with which it guides a modern audience through the more arcane challenges of Elizabethan prose and verse, this one passes the test with flying colours. Go to Full Review
Holly Cooper CineVue 11/21/2019
4/5
Each episode is distinct and exists on its own merits, but works equally effectively as part of a cohesive, well-defined whole. Go to Full Review
Patrick Mulkern Radio Times 04/23/2019
The sombre moments in Richard Eyre's free adaptation of the text are absolutely riveting, with three magnificent central performances. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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03/03/2021 Nunca assisti as obras de Shakespeare com medo de não entender a complexidade das peças, mas me vi completamente apaixonada pelas tragédias, após os 4 episódios da série. A atuação do elenco é magnífica! uma sardinha pra interpretação brilhante de Tom Hiddleston como príncipe Hal e posteriormente Henrique V See more andrei d 02/10/2021 Some great acting, especially Loki See more Gabriel Z 04/02/2020 This Richard II is dismal, unintentionally funny, unoriginal, unnecessary. Shakespeare did not write realistic speech, it is poetry, so these days it certainly requires a romantic, melodramatic lens to convince us. The greedy production value of this attempt only makes the mistakingly naturalistic performances more absurd and unbelievable. This play is a melodramatic fiction, not a historical record. The actors give it their all but suffer the common error of putting real emotions into utterly heightened, surreal speech, which demands a like passion and conviction. The pretty frames make it almost palatable to watch, but oh dear this approach is why modern audiences, misguidedly, think Shakespeare is overwritten, boring, pretentious d**k snot. See more James K 10/18/2019 An engaging and thrilling take on Shakespeare's first cycle on the War of the Roses. See more Jan L 12/12/2018 This gathering of London luvvies at times looked like a bad school play with the directors and producers no doubt distracted in ensuring that all the PC woke boxes were ticked. Hideous production of the Bard's work; the acting varied from totally over the top to more wooden than an oak tree - I really wish they would not destroy Britain's heritage in this way. Colour blind casting in historical drama is not only distracting but also racist in that it denies the truth. See more johann m 10/01/2017 Although Old English is sometimes hard to understand and hard to follow, the 4 films represent some of the most notable plays of William Shakespeare and they they are so entertaining. See more Read all reviews
The Hollow Crown — Shakespeare's History Plays

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 20, 2013 Richard II Adaptation of Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 27, 2013 Henry IV Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 4, 2013 Henry IV Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 11, 2013 Henry V Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 14, 2017 Henry IV: Part 2 Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 14, 2017 Henry IV: Part 3 Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 21, 2017 Henry IV: Part 4 Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale. Details
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Season Info

Director
Rupert Goold, Richard Eyre
Screenwriter
William Shakespeare, Rupert Goold, Richard Eyre
Network
BBC
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 20, 2013