The Hollow Crown - TV Mini Series [DVD]

The Hollow Crown is the best drama shown on the BBC for many years. Every aspect of the production was first rate, particularly the top notch cast and wonderful cinematography with beautiful landscapes. In Richard II Ben Whishaw gave a fine performance as a king tormented by his own insecurities and finally deposed. Each subsequent drama seemed to reach a higher plane than the last, culminating in a superb final rendition of Henry V. I agree that cutting the conspiracy scene (crucial) and enlarging the role of the Duke of York in Henry V were mistakes. However, Simon Russell Beale and Jeremy Irons were both excellent as Falstaff - showing the character's more reflective side as well as his roistering - and the ageing King whose dreams of the crown turn to bitter reality. But I have to single out Tom Hiddleston's performance as Henry V as quite exceptional, I totally disagree with those reviewers who disliked it. Some of the speeches such as the Crispian's day one were low key and pensive, but all the more moving for that I would argue, and his courtship of the Princess showed a wonderful light touch. This Henry V starts off as a dissolute young man who matures into a courageous leader of men but also a profound thinker who is fully aware of the horrors of the war that he unleashes. If Hiddleston does not win many awards, I will be surprised - he is one to watch. I can't wait to get the DVD now.

If you buy any DVD of a TV production this year, it has to be 'The Hollow Crown'. I have watched countless film and television versions of Shakespeare's plays in the past and I can honestly say there have been none like these versions. Forget David Tennant's edgy, modern-day 'Hamlet' (hard, I know, as it was pretty unforgettable): these new history plays are simply stunning.

I think what is rarely touched upon in reviews is how accessible these new films make Shakespeare. I watched 'Richard II' with my mum hoping she would not get bored by the long, philosophical speeches, but she thoroughly enjoyed it. Even for a literature student Shakespeare isn't exactly a walk in the park and having not approached 'Richard II' before, I was thinking, as I sat down to watch it, that I should have made an effort to skim-read the play in my Collected Works, just to get a gist of the plot. I'm glad I didn't. Watching the film was like looking into Shakespeare's world through a new pair of Specsaver glasses: everything came startlingly into focus. I promise you, if you are attentive and ready to engage, 'Richard II' is as accessible, exciting and fun to watch as any other epic action film you are likely to see.

I can't praise the settings, cinematography and costume of the first instalment enough. And I would certainly run the risk of sounding gushy ('you already are, dear') if I started on Ben Whishaw's performance as Richard. But this guy is incredibly good. This film is incredibly good. The handing over of the crown scene literally took my breath away. Whishaw excels so much here that it is by far the most sublime part of the film. And Rory Kinnear makes the scene happen too: his Bolingbroke may have nothing much to say, but is appropriately humiliated and wary, setting off Richard's clever and beautiful kaleidoscope of emotions.

With 'Henry IV, part 1', the scale is mostly a lot smaller as Shakespeare deals with the domestics of father and son relationships and the carnal realms of the Boars Head tavern. Inevitably, we are not treated to the gorgeous settings of 'Richard II' and spend much of the time in the confines of the tavern set, which (though necessary) feels like a step down after such a treat. But the production is still impressive, imaginative (the initial interchanges between the court and the Boars Head are bold and new, if a little clunky) and very well cast.

Falstaff is brilliant - every inch the show-stealer the play-write purposed him to be - and Simon Russell Beale puts on the most hilarious performance in the prince/king role-play scene. Tom Hiddleston - who I'm sure will soon be a household name, if not already - has bravely made his Hal a less likeable prince than those of other productions. He is less vivacious, more cruel. As a result, Hiddleston has the tricky task of making us warm to his character; but he succeeds, and in 'Henry IV part 2' he produces some touching scenes as he contemplates the crown.

I'm thrilled we have a version of the less popular 'Henry IV part 2' to enjoy, particularly because the king-Hal scene, when the prince is woefully misunderstood, has some of my favourite lines in the tetralogy. Some scenes with Falstaff's cronies inevitably may not translate well for modern audiences, but there are fun moments.

I have not yet seen the last production, but when I do I will hopefully update this review with the news that it was just as good as its precursors.

**UPDATE**: 'Henry V' was fantastic. There were some bold cuts from the text - notably the traitors scene early on - but they were totally the right cuts. The film should be admired for its very definite vision, its ability to move, and for the fine performance from Hiddleston - his Harry lets you into his insecurities and is perfectly pitched for today's audience.

God how I wish we'd had shakespeare adaptions like these while I was at school (which admitedly I only left 6 years ago)!! Ive always loved shakespeare inspite of the dreary lessons we merely endured, with some truly dull and lifeless 1970s adaptions to try and fire our passions for the bard, but these new adaptions of the history plays are, in my opinion, a triumph.
Starting with Richard II, Ben Whishaw plays the titular role and brings an otherworldliness to the character, along with brilliantly portraying Richard's vanities and insecurities, and his total belief in the divine right of kings. Every emotion is on display in Bens face, evoking everyone from Michael Jackson to St Sebastian (it's amazing how much Ben looks like a pre-raphaelite painting!), and even Christ himself, and he handles the language like the pro that he is. Ben heads up what is a who's-who check list of British thespians, not least Patrick Stewart as John of Gaunt, aswell as Rory Kinnear as Henry Bollingbrooke, and David Suchet, David Morrisey, and Clemence Poesy, among many many others. I have to give special mention to the deposition scene, where Richard officially, and reluctantly, hands over the crown to Bollingbrooke- Dear god the scene is riveting, and is a powerhouse of a performance from both Ben and Rory. Eyes literally glued to the screen throughout the scene. The St Sebastian imagery may have been overdone and, some might argue, unneccessary, but, for me, its a minor quibble with what is otherwise a brilliant adaption.
Next up, the Henry plays. Henry IV parts 1 and 2 see's the great Jeremy Irons take the title role, as the aged king, plagued by guilt and anxiety over the manner of his coming to the throne, and hoping to pass on the crown to his wayward son, Hal, who would rather spend time in the pub than take on affairs of state. Jeremy Irons is his usual brilliant self, magnificently portraying a troubled king who is deeply unhappy with the behaviour of his son. Cannot criticise this performance which some are claiming as his finest since Brideshead revisited. Tom Hiddleston plays the wayward Hal. Ok, yes I am a fan of Loki from the Thor/Avengers movies, but Tom is a fine actor beyond that and handles the role very well, naturally tackling the language and the transition of a young prince from petulant brat to regal king. His scenes with Jeremy Irons are brilliant, especially the verbal chastisement from the king, and where Hal assumes (a tad too early!) the crown from his father. Truly moving stuff. Simon Russell Beale speakes shakepeare like a second language, and slightly underplays the comedic role of Falstaff, yet combines all the elements of the character- the jolyness in the Pub, aswell as his scheming side. The scene where Hal rejects Falstaff in Part 2 is, I think, very well done and you really sense how hard it hits Falstaff, whatever his motivation for sticking with Hal may have been in the first place.
Lastly, but not least, Henry V. Again, I think this was a truly worthy adaption with some great moments. Lots of people have been less impressed with the Crispins Day speech, and I take their point about making the speech to the leaders and not to the common men on the ground. I think the idea of making the speech to a small group of men is a sound one, but the idea just doesnt seem to have been executed as well it might have done. Again, Tom Hiddleston seems at ease with the language, and I think his scene where the king mingles with the men in disguise the night before Agincourt is very well done- successfully getting across the fears of men who appear to be staring death and defeat in the face, questioning the very nature of war and leadership. Yes there are scenes missing which many feel was a profound mistake, but what is here is brilliant, and a bold, worthy adaption of a play which has a much celebrated history, with some of the most famous adaptions ever comitted to film. A personal highlight was watching Henry court the princess Katherine..... a genuinely charming, funny, sweet scene which had me giggling like a love-struck schoolgirl :)
All in all, while some may argue that there are imperfections to this series, kudos to the BBC for taking on the challenge in the first place! This is a brave and, in my view, stylish, classy series, with some wonderful scenes and performances, and of course the glorious words of Shakespeare. If nothing else, I think younger audiences will hopefully be turned on to shakespeare more widely as a result of these adaptions, and that surely has to be a plus in itself.

xxxxx