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The Wars of the Roses – The Hollow Crown

Play trailer Poster for The Wars of the Roses – The Hollow Crown 2016 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's tale.

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The Hollow Crown — The Wars of the Roses

The Hollow Crown — The Wars of the Roses

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Critics Consensus

The Hollow Crown deftly demonstrates that even the Bard's most obscure work can be sumptuous appointment viewing -- saving Benedict Cumberbatch's riveting incarnation of Richard III as a parting treat.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrew Billen Times (UK) Cumberbatch, as he must, stole the show, but the triumvirate of Keeley Hawes, Judi Dench and Sophie Okonedo at one point gave him competition. Rated: 4/5 Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Filipa Jodelka Guardian On watching the opening scenes of BBC miniseries The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses, I only wished somebody had told me before how much better than their reputation Shakespeare's history plays are. Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Serena Davies Daily Telegraph (UK) These three films were finely acted, intellectually compelling and intensely exciting. They were also, with their unflinching eye, emphatically films, and modern films at that, rather than polite plays-on-screen, as the 2012 Hollow Crown series was. Rated: 5/5 Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com "The Wars of the Roses" is a long sit, meant to be absorbed one history play at a time, but there's such propulsive energy to the production, it feels like one complete epic. Rated: 4/5 Nov 21, 2019 Full Review Randy Schiff Buffalo News The series finds a perfect balance between respecting the original language and relating to modern audiences: viewers get the essential parts of these plays translated into a modern cinematic medium. Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Matt Wolf The Arts Desk Because Cumberbatch by now is so thoroughly marinated in the demands of celluloid, he easily scaled back a potentially [over the top] character to become someone shiveringly, compulsively real: not a caricature of malignity but a master class in it. Rated: 5/5 Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
James K An engaging and captivating production of Shakespeare's earliest plays. The phenomenal and faceted portrayal of Richard III by Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing, as is Sophie Okendow's Margaret of Anjou. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/18/19 Full Review johann m Incredible TV miniseries! With just 2 seasons, it succeeds telling the stories of great kings of England such as Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI and the evil Richard III, as told in William Shakespeare's plays with his beautiful and unique writing. The War of the Roses in Season 2 is the most interesting and violent event of the English monarchy until that time. I can now see the appeal George R.R. Martin saw in it as the basis of his work. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The Henry VI triad is often thought to be some of the Bard's weakest work. By compressing it into 2 plays rather than 3, the creators of this trio of films have accomplished a fantastic transformation. It's great cinema, and great Shakespeare. It's rare that I can recommend something with no criticism. I can and do so here. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Most brilliant production. cumberbatch was messmerizing richard iii. makes shakespeare understandable and enjoyable for the newbie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Not only a masterclass in acting but in directing and screenplay making Shakespeare not only understood but exciting as well Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hollow Crown — The Wars of the Roses

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Cast & Crew

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Hugh Bonneville

Gloucester

Adrian Dunbar

Plantagenet

Michael Gambon

Mortimer

Philip Glenister

Talbot

Sally Hawkins

Eleanor

Anton Lesser

Exeter

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 7, 2016 Henry VI: Part 1 After the funeral of Henry V, his son, the infant Henry VI, becomes King; seventeen years later Henry sits on the throne and seeks to sire an heir, whilst the rivalries at Court continue and Joan of Arc rallies France against England's invasion. Details Episode 2 Aired May 14, 2016 Henry VI: Part 2 Henry VI and the Lancastrians are forced to give away their right to the Crown. Details Episode 3 Aired May 21, 2016 Richard III As King Edward takes ill and collapses at the end of a feast, Prince Richard arranges for his brother George's murder in the Tower London, and when Edward finally passes away, the new King Richard plots to remove any possible challenge to his rule. Details

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The Hollow Crown — The Wars of the Roses

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses View more photos

Season Info

Screenwriter
William Shakespeare
Network
BBC
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
May 7, 2016