Age of Kings (1960 BBC) x264 H!tcher

~16 hours
960 x 720 x264, AAC
englyshe subs
DVD|H!tcher



ttp://www.amazon.com/Shakespeares-Age-Kings-Richard-Henry/dp/B001LPWGHS

A history of the kings of Britain from 1377 to 1485, and how they won, stole and lost their claims to the throne.

Age_of_Kings_(1960-BBC)

Use Shakespeare to teach history? Absolutely. What better way could there be to teach something and make it stick in the mind than to have it dramatised by fine actors, using a script written by one of the best playwrights ever? One would need only place the plays in chronological order, drop a scene here and there, and leave it to the professional historians to quibble over the accuracy of details.
In 1960 a dude named Crozier put together a script for the BBC, who then spent 6 months rehearsing some of the best actors they could find. Then the plays were broadcast live on air.
The BBC were notoriously careless with their early work. Many things were never filmed, and many that were had their films simply tossed in closets to be thrown away or taped over later. I have read that the 'Age of Kings' video was filmed off of the monitors with 16mm film during the live broadcasts, later transferred to tape, aired once on PBS in America (the first BBC series to do so, and said to have been PBS's first big hit, paving the way for Masterpiece Theater), and then... tossed in one of those closets. It's a minor miracle that it was preserved, as so much from that era was not. But here it is.
The sets were sparse as the budget had been spent on actors, and wisely so as these actors produce some of the best Shakespeare you will see. The lack of lush sets ends up being a positive thing as the cameras stay in tight on the actors, focusing your attention exactly where it belongs --on the performances and on the words themselves. --hitcher

[includes subtitles for the shakespeare-impaired]



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5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable entertainment, and educational too! June 14, 2009
By Erik Herrmann
As a classically trained actor who has done more than his share of
Shakespeare, I can honestly say I've generally found the connecting
factors of his history cycle (Richard II to Richard III, with three
Henrys in between) somewhat elusive. This series has resolved quite
a multitude of misunderstandings I've had about these plays. To see
the whole cycle performed chronologically, with all the same actors
playing their designated roles throughout, gave me an appreciation
for these works that no actor (or basic Bardophile) should be without.

Many are familiar with Henry V or Richard III because of their past
cinematic incarnations, and some have only a perfunctory knowledge
of characters like Hotspur and Falstaff. This series, as dated as
it is, serves as a wonderful introduction. And what a treat to see
this cast! Many of them were (some still are) legendary performers
of the London stage who, because they never carved out a niche for
themselves in films (either American or British) are unknown outside
the realm. This series may be the only document available of their
incredible talents. Others of course, are more well known. To see
a pre-James Bond Sean Connery as Hotspur, or Judi Dench in her young
ingenue phase as Katherine of France (not to mention character actor
stalwarts like Julian Glover, Geoffrey Bayldon, and George A. Cooper)
is just so much gravy on an impeccable meal. Any qualms about length
are eased by the fact that the series is broken down as originally
broadcast - in 15 (mostly) one-hour segments. It's like viewing an
episodic Shakespearean historical soap opera. Perfect for students!
Highly recommended.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Ageless Age of Kings March 29, 2009
By Joe D. Gilliland
By any standard I can think of this series stands out in memory as the finest television treatment of Shakespeare that exists. If for nothing else the performances of Connery as Hotspur, Hardy as Hal and Harry in Henry V, and Richard Daneman as Richard III are worth owning this. Robert Hardy's St. Crispin's Day speech rivals Olivier's and Brannagh's, Daneman's Richard III also rivals Olivier's and the great Stratford performance of Antony Sher. At no time in his long career did Sean Connery ever exceed his incomparable interpretation of Hotspur. I have wished for, prayed for, hoped for an opportunity to see this again, and NOW! Thanks to all the gods of drama.