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  • Richard II (2003)
  • TV Movie | 210 min | Drama
Richard II (2003)
TV Movie | 210 min | Drama

Richard II is a historical drama by William Shakespeare that depicts the downfall of King Richard II of England and his replacement by Henry Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. The movie adaptation of the play has been made several ...See moreRichard II is a historical drama by William Shakespeare that depicts the downfall of King Richard II of England and his replacement by Henry Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. The movie adaptation of the play has been made several times, with different actors playing the main roles. The plot of the movie follows the main events of the play, which are: Richard II is a weak and wasteful king who alienates his nobles and commoners by his mismanagement of the country and his arbitrary decisions. He banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and seizes his inheritance after the death of Bolingbroke's father, John of Gaunt. Bolingbroke returns from exile with an army and invades England while Richard is away fighting in Ireland. He gains support from many nobles and commoners who are dissatisfied with Richard's rule. He captures Richard and forces him to abdicate the throne. Bolingbroke is crowned as King Henry IV and tries to consolidate his power by pardoning some of Richard's supporters and executing others. He also faces rebellions from some nobles who are unhappy with his usurpation. Richard is imprisoned in Pomfret Castle, where he laments his loss of kingship and identity. He is eventually killed by an assassin who claims to act on Henry's behalf, but Henry denies any involvement and vows to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to atone for his sins. The movie is a tragedy that explores themes such as power, legitimacy, loyalty, identity, and divine right. It shows the contrast between Richard's poetic and eloquent speeches and Henry's pragmatic and political actions. It also foreshadows the troubles that Henry will face in his reign, as depicted in the subsequent plays of Shakespeare's second tetralogy: Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Sep 7, 2003

Release date
Sep 7, 2003 (United Kingdom)

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Cast

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20 cast members
Name Known for
Andrew Marr
Self - Presenter Self - Presenter   See fewer
Razia Iqbal
Self - Presenter Self - Presenter   See fewer
Mark Rylance
King Richard II King Richard II   See fewer
John McEnery
John of Gaunt / Head Gardener / Keeper John of Gaunt / Head Gardener / Keeper   See fewer
Liam Brennan
Henry Bolingbroke later King Henry IV Henry Bolingbroke later King Henry IV   See fewer
Terence McGinity
Thomas Mowbray / Second Gardener / Groom Thomas Mowbray / Second Gardener / Groom   See fewer
William Osbourne
Duchess of Gloucester / Willoughby / Bishop of Carlisle (as William Osborne) Duchess of Gloucester / Willoughby / Bishop of Carlisle (as William Osborne)   See fewer
Albie Woodington
Earl of Northumberland Earl of Northumberland   See fewer
Chu Omambala
Duke of Aumerle Duke of Aumerle   See fewer
Richard Glaves
Sir Henry Green / Lady Sir Henry Green / Lady   See fewer
Justin Shevlin
Sir John Bushy / Sir Piers of Exton Sir John Bushy / Sir Piers of Exton   See fewer
Patrick Brennan
Sir William Bagot / Welsh Captain / Scroop / First Gardener Sir William Bagot / Welsh Captain / Scroop / First Gardener   See fewer
Bill Stewart
Duke of York Duke of York   See fewer
Michael Brown
Queen Isabel Queen Isabel   See fewer
Peter Shorey
Sir William Ross / Duchess of York Sir William Ross / Duchess of York   See fewer
Patrick Toomey
Servingman / Earl of Salisbury / Baron Fitzwater Servingman / Earl of Salisbury / Baron Fitzwater   See fewer
Gerald Kyd
Sir Harry Percy Sir Harry Percy   See fewer
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