Made over fifty years ago and (at last) available on DVD. Three discs,a lot of playing time and not a dull minute. Makers of the series did not have a huge budget to play with. And yet, they produced a masterpiece - possibly the finest televised version of any of Shakespeare's plays.
The series is an adaptation of the three Henry VI plays plus Richard III. One of the beauties of the production is the clarity of diction offered by the actors,combined with emotional intensity and intimacy in various soliloquies.
There are some wonderful character studies. A previous reviewer has already referred to David Warner's spellbinding performance as Henry VI. Peggy Ashcroft is superb as the vulnerable yet heroic and ferociously determined Queen Margaret. Ian Holm gave a master class in acting as Richard III. In truth there is not a dud performance in the series. As the accompanying booklet states the ensemble offers "some of the most glorious, focused, intelligent and moving Shakespearean acting that is available on screen".
