Review for An Age of Kings

An Age of Kings is such a wonderful concept that you know that only the BBC could pull it off. It's actually surprising that they haven't tried to something like this again, but no doubt they will eventually.

This 1960s series features fifteen episodes covering a number of acts from various Shakepeare history plays. These are Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Henry V, Henry VI Parts 1, 2 and 3 and Richard III. What makes this so unique is that it progresses through the kings as it would have in history and this is an interesting idea.

Each episode is wonderful. Costumes are perfect, the acting is impeccable and at times you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching an actual play, rather than a TV show. This is emphasised by the fact that it was filmed live. Directed by Michael Hayes who went on to direct Dr Who and All Creatures Great and Small

Actors feature throughout the series in various roles and this is an interesting way of doing this rather than having to find a new cast each time. Much like in Shakespeare's time where someone who played a minor character would play a much larger role in another play, such is the case here.

Much is made of the famous cast and though it is true that it does include some future Oscar winners such as Judi Dench as Princess Katherine of France (Henry V) and Sean Connery as Henry Percy (Richard II) and Hotspur (Henry IV) these should only be viewed as ploys to get curious fans to buy the set. The fact is, lesser stars also appear and to a much greater degree such as Robert Hardy who many will know from the Harry Potter series as Cornelius Fudge putting in an amazing performance as Henry V and Paul Daneman who steals the whole set with his turn as Richard III.

The 'Making of' documentary is really just a twelve minute interview with Tony Garnett who had a few minor roles throughout the series, but also went on to produce and write Kes, is fascinating. It's a shame that he didn't do commentary with a TV or Shakespeare historian throughout the whole set as he was full of interesting facts about just how the piece was created. The description of how they got around actors forgetting lines is intriguing and I went back to watch to see if anyone did. It's also a shame that no one was spoken to about the show and what kind of impact the show made.

What makes the series so unique, also acts to some extent as its downfall, because of the eight plays the ones that most people will know and want to watch are Henry V and Richard III. The other plays are still amazing and certainly great adaptations, but it does feel at times that all we are doing is just plowing through them to get to one that you recognise. This is more to do with just how popular those two plays are, but I would say that if you are studying Shakespeare or simply like watch great performances then this set is certainly one to own.

I enjoyed this immensely and though I do wish that there had been more extra features, the inclusion of all of these episodes is more than enough to satisfy me.