The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: History

You'll be swept up in the aristocratic power struggles, captivated by the epic events and moved by the timeless performances in this collection.

Henry V (1979) - In the third play portraying England's most admired national hero, Henry V unites his people, invades France, deals with traitors and cements the peace. Starring David Gwillim, Rob Edwards and Martin Neil.

Richard II (1978) - Derek Jacobi is Richard II, defying tradition and laws of succession, disinherits Bolingbroke and uses that money to finance a military adventure in Ireland. Sir John Gielgud as John of Gaunt, Jon Finch as Henry Bolingbroke, Wendy Hiller as Duchess of York and Charles Gray as Duke of York.

Richard III (1983) - A huge success in its day, this historical play centers around the character of Richard of Gloucester, a self-proclaimed villain who usurps the crown. Through political marriages and military coups, this play portrays an intricate period in English history. Stars Martin Shaw, and Brian Protheroe.

Henry IV Part 1 (1979) - The boisterous Falstaff leads Prince Hal, the heir to the throne, through London’s lowlife taverns. While the young prince wasters his youth, a civil war threatens the monarchy. When the battle of Shrewsbury results, Prince Henry redeems himself at last. Stars Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle and David Gwillim.

Henry IV Part II (1979) - A panorama of Medieval English life. The passage of time brings the older generations closer to the grave, and the young closer to leadership. The play ends with the death of Henry IV, banishment of Falstaff and the coronation of Prince Hal as Henry V. Stars Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle and David Gwillim.

Henry V
In the third play portraying England's most admired national hero, Henry V unites his people, invades France, deals with traitors and cements the peace. Starring David Gwillim, Rob Edwards and Julian Glover.
Running Time: 163 minutes.

Richard II
Richard II, defying tradition and laws of succession, disinherits Bolingbroke and uses that money to finance a military adventure in Ireland. A stellar cast includes Derek Jacobi, Sir John Gielgud, Charles Gray, Jon Finch and Dame Wendy Hiller.
Running Time: 157 minutes.

Richard III
A huge success in its day, this historical play centers around the character of Richard of Gloucester, a self-proclaimed villain who usurps the crown. Through political marriages and military coups, this play portrays an intricate period in English history. Stars:Ron Cook, Michael Byrne, and Brian Protheroe.
Running Time: 228 minutes.

Henry IV, Part I
The boisterous Falstaff leads Prince Hal, the heir to the throne, through London's lowlife taverns. While the young prince wasters his youth, a civil war threatens the monarchy. When the battle of Shrewsbury results, Prince Henry redeems himself at last. Stars Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle and David Gwillim .
Running Time: 147 minutes

Henry IV, Part II
A panorama of Medieval English life. The passage of time brings the older generations closer to the grave, and the young closer to leadership. The play ends with the death of Henry IV, banishment of Falstaff and the coronation of Prince Hal as Henry V. Stars Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle and David Gwillim.

 

Henry V

Bishop of Ely	---	John Abineri
Earl of Salisbury	---	Robert Ashby
Archbishop of Canterbury	---	Trevor Baxter
Earl of Warwick	---	Rob Beacham
Katherine	---	Jocelyne Boisseau
Herald	---	Simon Broad
Governor of Harfleur	---	Alan Brown
Hostess	---	Brenda Bruce
Duke of Bourbon	---	John Bryans
Earl of Westmoreland	---	David Buck
Messenger	---	Ronald Chenery
Duke of Clarence	---	Roger Davenport
Lewis, the Dauphin	---	Keith Drinkel
Duke of Bedford	---	Rob Edwards
Bates	---	Ronald Forfar
Rambures	---	Carl Forgione
Boy	---	John Fowler
The French Constable	---	Julian Glover
Bardolph	---	Gordon Gostelow
Henry V	---	David Gwillim
Mountjoy	---	Garrick Hagon
Duke of Burgundy	---	Robert Harris
Nym	---	Jeffrey Holland
Duke of York	---	Derek Hollis
Sir Thomas Erpingham	---	George Howe
Chorus	---	Alec McCowen
Jamy	---	Michael McKevitt
Duke of Exeter	---	Clifford Parrish
Williams	---	David Pinner
French soldier	---	Graham Pountney
Gower	---	Brian Poyser
Scroop	---	Ian Price
Pistol	---	Bryan Pringle
Alice	---	Anna Quayle
Court	---	Joe Ritchie
Sir Thomas Grey	---	David Rowlands
Queen Isabel	---	Pamela Ruddock
Duke of Orleans	---	John Saunders
Gloucester	---	Martin Smith
Charles VI	---	Thorley Walters
MacMorris	---	Paddy Ward
Earl of Cambridge	---	William Whymper
Fluellen	---	Tim Wylton

Directed by David Giles
Produced by Cedric Messina
Film Editing by Neil Pittaway
Costume Design by Don Homfray

Richard II

Derek Jacobi	---	Richard II
John Gielgud	---	John of Gaunt
Jon Finch	---	Henry Bolingbroke
Wendy Hiller	---	Duchess of York
Charles Gray	---	Duke of York
Mary Morris	---	Duchess of Gloucester
David Swift	---	Duke of Northumberland
Clifford Rose	---	Bishop of Carlisle
Charles Keating	---	Duke of Aumerle
Richard Owens	---	Thomas Mowbray
Janet Maw	---	Queen
Jeffrey Holland	---	Duke of Surrey
Jeremy Bulloch	---	Henry Percy
Robin Sachs	---	Bushy
Damien Thomas	---	Bagot
Alan Dalton	---	Green
David Dodimead	---	Lord Ross
John Flint	---	Lord Willoughby
Carl Oatley	---	Earl Berkeley
William Whymper	---	Sir Stephen Scroop
John Barcroft	---	Earl of Salisbury
David Garfield	---	Welsh Captain
Desmond Adams	---	Sir Pierce of Exton
Joe Ritchie	---	Groom
Paddy Ward	---	Keeper
Bruno Barnabe	---	Abbot of Westminster
Jonathan Adams	---	Gardener
Alan Collins	---	Gardener's Man
John Curless	---	Lord Fitzwater
Terry Wright	---	Murderer
Ronald Fernee	---	Servant
Tim Brown	---	Herald
Mike Lewin	---	Herald
Phillida Sewell	---	Queen's Lady
Sandra Frieze	---	Queen's Lady

Directed by David Giles
Produced by Cedric Messina
Costume Design by Robin Fraser-Paye

Richard III

Second Company	---	Peter Aldwyn
King Henry VI	---	Peter Benson
Second Company	---	Brian Binns
Second Company	---	Gerald Blackmore
Second Company	---	Stephen Brigden
Sir Richard Ratcliffe	---	Anthony Brown
Sir William Catesby	---	David Burke
Duke of Buckingham	---	Michael Byrne
Jane Shore	---	Anne Carroll
Earl Rivers	---	Paul Chapman
Second Company	---	Michael Cogan
Richard III	---	Ron Cook
Queen Elizabeth	---	Rowena Cooper
Lord Grey, Lord Mayor of London	---	Arthur Cox
Second Company	---	Stuart Cox
Duchess of York	---	Annette Crosbie
Lord Hastings	---	David Daker
Henry, Earl of Richmond	---	Brian Deacon
Young Duke of York	---	Jeremy Dimmick
Second Company	---	Jonathan Evans
Lord Stanley	---	Tenniel Evans
Sir Robert Brakenbury, Earl of Surrey	---	Derek Farr
Second Company	---	Mark Fletcher
Edward, Prince of Wales	---	Dorian Ford
Queen Margaret	---	Julia Foster
Sir Thomas Vaughan	---	Derek Fuke
Second Company	---	Michael Gardiner
Trumpeter	---	Nigel Gomm
Second Company	---	David Goodwin
Second Company	---	Barry Grantham
Marquess of Dorset	---	Alex Guard
Second Company	---	Nick Hall
Sir William Brandon	---	Bernard Hill
George, Duke of Clarence	---	Paul Jesson
Second Company	---	Angus Kennedy
Lady Margaret Plantagenet	---	Patsy Kensit
Second Company	---	Hamish Kerr
Second Company	---	Hus Levant
Drummer	---	Brian Little
Page to Richard	---	Rusty Livingstone
Second Company	---	David Ludwig
Second Company	---	Peter Macklin
Halberdier, Lord Lovell	---	Oengus MacNamara
Drummer	---	Stephen Paine
King Edward IV	---	Brian Protheroe
Second Company	---	John Rankin
Ghost of the Prince of Wales	---	Nick Reding
Second Company	---	Martin Rutledge
Second Company	---	Peter Searles
Trumpeter	---	Frank Walsh
Lady Anne	---	Zoë Wanamaker
Sir James Tyrrel	---	Mark Wing-Davey
Duke of Norfolk	---	Peter Wyatt

Directed by Jane Howell
Produced by Sahun Sutton
Film Editing by Ron Bowman
Costume Design by John Peacock

Henry IV, Part I

Sir John Falstaff	---	Anthony Quayle
Henry IV	---	Jon Finch
Prince Hal	---	David Gwillim
Hotspur	---	Tim Pigott-Smith
Lady Percy	---	Michele Dotrice
Mistress Quickly	---	Brenda Bruce
Prince John of Lancaster	---	Rob Edwards
Earl of Westmoreland	---	David Buck
Sir Walter Blount	---	Robert Brown
Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester	---	Clive Swift
Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland	---	Bruce Purchase
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March	---	Robert Morris
Archibald, Earl of Douglas	---	John Cairney
Scroop, Archbishop of York	---	David Neal
Sir Michael	---	Norman Rutherford
Owen Glendower	---	Richard Owens
Sir Richard Vernon	---	Terence Wilton
Poins	---	Jack Galloway
Bardolph	---	Gordon Gostelow
Peto	---	Steven Beard
Lady Mortimer	---	Sharon Morgan
First Carrier	---	Mike Lewin
Second Carrier	---	David Bailie
Chamberlain	---	Douglas Milvain
Sheriff	---	Neville Barber
Servant to Hotspur	---	George Winter
First Messenger	---	Michael Heath
Second Messenger	---	Malcolm Hughes

Directed by David Giles
Produced by Cedric Messina
Film Editing by Stan Pow
Costume Design by Odette Barrow

Henry IV, Part II

King Henry the Fourth	---	Jon Finch
Henry, Prince of Wales	---	David Gwillim
Prince John of Lancaster	---	Rob Edwards
Prince Humphrey of Gloucester	---	Martin Neil
Thomas, Duke of Clarence	---	Roger Davenport
Earl of Northumberland	---	Bruce Purchase
Scroop, Archbishop of York	---	David Neal
Lord Mowbray	---	Michael Miller
Lord Hastings	---	Richard Bebb
Lord Bardolph	---	John Humphry
Sir John Colville	---	Salvin Stewart
Travers	---	David Strong
Morton	---	Carl Oatley
Earl of Warwick	---	Rod Beacham
Earl of Westmoreland	---	David Buck
Gower	---	Brian Poyser
Lord Chief Justice	---	Ralph Michael
Sir John Falstaff	---	Anthony Quayle
Poins	---	Jack Galloway
Bardolph	---	Gordon Gostelow
Pistol	---	Bryan Pringle
Peto	---	Steven Beard
Page to Sir John Falstaff	---	John Fowler
Justice Robert Shallow	---	Robert Eddison
Justice Silence	---	Leslie French
Davy, Servant to Shallow	---	Raymond Platt
Fang, Sheriff's Officer	---	Frederick Proud
Ralph Mouldy	---	Julian Battersby
Simon Shadow	---	Roy Herrick
Thomas Wart	---	Alan Collins
Francis Feeble	---	John Tordoff
Peter Bullcalf	---	Roger Elliott
Lady Northumberland	---	Jenny Laird
Lady Percy, Hotspur's Widow	---	Michele Dotrice
Mistress Quickly	---	Brenda Bruce
Doll Tearsheet	---	Frances Cuka
Servant to Lord Chief Justice	---	Tim Brown
Messenger	---	Colin Dunn

Directed by David Giles
Produced by Cedric Messina
Film Editing by Stan Pow
Costume Design by Odette Barrow

Rival playwright Ben Jonson poked fun at Shakespeare?s newly minted family motto, ?Not without right.? In Jonson?s hands it became ?Not without mustard.?