Product Details

• Actors: Robert Hardy, Sean Connery, Judi Dench, Julian Glover, Eileen Atkins
• Format: Box set, Black & White, DVD, Subtitled, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Worldwide
• DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009
• Run Time: 947 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001LPWGHS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,741 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #59 in Movies & TV > DVD > Performing Arts
• For more information about "Shakespeare's An Age of Kings (Richard II / Henry IV / Henry V / Henry VI / Richard III)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 03/31/2009 Run time: 900 minutes Rating: Nr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ageless Age of Kings, March 29, 2009

By 

Joe D. Gilliland (Bisbee, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shakespeare's An Age of Kings (Richard II / Henry IV / Henry V / Henry VI / Richard III) (DVD)

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.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifty years later, March 30, 2009

By 

J. Targove - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's An Age of Kings (Richard II / Henry IV / Henry V / Henry VI / Richard III) (DVD)

We were living in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1961 when "Age of Kings" was shown on the local public TV station which, I think, was associated with the University of Nebraska. It was so memorable that I have never forgotten it -- especially Robert Hardy's performance as Prince Hal in Henry IV and as Henry V. He was so young and vigorous that his performance transcended the small screen and the absence of color. I've been a devotee of public TV ever since, but nothing was ever as exciting as those plays at that time. Perhaps it was TV's newness at the time, but since then TV drama has been prettied up and has lost its immediacy.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indespensable entertainment, and educational too!, June 14, 2009

By 

Erik Herrmann "world film expert" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's An Age of Kings (Richard II / Henry IV / Henry V / Henry VI / Richard III) (DVD)

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. An additional note for
those who may have difficulties in viewing and accepting this material,
is the on-screen English subtitle option that allows you to view the
Shakespearean text as its being spoken. And 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.