The Tragedy of King Richard II (TV 1971)

Directors:

Richard Cottrell, Toby Robertson

Writer:

William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Ian McKellen, Timothy West, Robert Eddison

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian McKellen	...	King Richard II
Timothy West	...	Henry Bolingbroke
Robert Eddison	...	Duke of York
Paul Hardwick	...	John of Gaunt
Trevor Martin	...	Earl of Northumberland
Peggy Thorpe-Bates	...	Duchess of York
Lucy Fleming	...	Queen Isabella
Charmian Eyre	...	Duchess of Gloucester
Andrew Crawford	...	Bishop of Carlisle
Terence Wilton	...	Duke of Aumerle
Richard Morant	...	Earl of Salisbury
David Calder	...	Lord Ross
Stephen Greif	...	Mowbray / Glendower
James Laurenson	...	Sir Pierce of Exton
Michael Spice	...	Lord Willoughby

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

shakespeare's richard ii | based on play | character name in title

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1971 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Prospect Theatre Company

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of König Richard II (1968)

User Reviews

A young Ian McKellen shows his promise

Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II were successful stage productions recorded in the studio for BBC Television in the early days of colour transmissions. At that time only the recently inaugurated BBC 2 channel was broadcasting in colour and the new TV sets were very expensive.

I was a university student at the time and watched these outstanding productions in the colour TV lounge in my hall of residence. I've remembered them vividly ever since, particularly the young Ian McKellen's highly charged and sensual performances in the title roles.

Those were less enlightened times and young Ian was still firmly 'in the closet' but to my youthful mind his gay sensibility was more than evident, especially in the role of Edward II.

These landmark productions are crying out for a DVD release.