All of William Shakespeare's history plays are at the least well worth reading and watching at least once, my personal favourite being the most famous one 'Richard III'. Which is why 'The Hollow Crown', both seasons but especially the first consisting of the Henriad tetralogy (with 'Henry V' being the one slight disappointment), is so highly recommended, its acclaimed reception being more than justified.
'Henry VI Part 1' was a very good start to the second season coined War of the Roses'. Found Part 2, which has the same strengths and not quite so good things, even better, found the performances even stronger, that it had more tension and it was a little more tasteful. Neither part of 'Henry VI' make the play a favourite of mine, but it is one of Shakespeare's darkest, longest and most difficult to perform and worth getting acquainted with regardless of whether it does much for you or not. It is again one of the least faithful adaptations of 'The Hollow Crown', with there being omissions/truncations in the text which can make the adaptation feel a touch rushed on occasions.
Visually, 'Henry VI Part 2' is very handsome, as can be expected with 'The Hollow Crown' series, with a lot of effort put into making the costumes and settings as evocative and detailed as possible, neither being too stark or too elaborate. The photography is often cinematic-like, expansive in places without being overblown and intimate in other places without being restricted. The music also achieves that balance, didn't find it over-scored anywhere which is so easy to do with such a big, bold approach to the material.
Shakespeare's text, even when not complete, is as poetic and thought-provoking as ever, while Dominic Cooke does wonderfully with not making the adaptation feel stagy or too much of a filmed play. Instead it's opened up without being too over-theatrical, it is often dark, bold stuff that doesn't jar that much with the material. The pull no punches direction of some scenes is hard to watch but also powerful and didn't find it that tasteless. There were times though to me where some of the uncompromising approach was taken too far.
The performances are even better here, and they were fantastic in the first part too. A big standout being Benedict Cumberbatch's goosebump-inducing Richard. Sophie Okonedo is very commanding without over-playing as Margaret, no mugging or looking bored in sight, her out-and-ahead-of-her-time portrayal is still interesting. Tom Sturridge is a charismatic and sincere Henry, while Ben Miles' Machiavellian Somerset stands out again. Adrian Dunbar plays Plantagenet with plenty of fire, and Keeley Hawes has seldom been more pert.
In conclusion, great and even better than the very good first part. If you don't like cuts and uncompromising approaches to material this won't be for you, but if you like something brilliantly made, compelling and with more than great performances this shouldn't be missed. 9/10
