The Hollow Crown
Richard II
4 Stars
Preview for the entire series:
It is no secret that I love Shakespeare. The intelligence and genius blows me away. The way that the language was mastered....amazing. It blows me away, because no matter how I try I doubt I could ever create anything as good as his work.
I had never read Richard II. I have read, however, Henry IV Part one and two and Henry V. The Hollow Crown is a TV series, but as they are more like TV movies, I decided to include them on my movie page. Richard II was about 2.5 hours. Henry IV Part one and part two as well as Henry V are soon to be released. Looking forward to it.
Now to this movie. I was very impressed. I was not ready to be. I think it's because I had heard so little about this play before. In the preview of the Hollow Crown, I was not impressed with Ben Whishaw, the man selected to play Richard II. Also Patrick Stewart was cast. And that I just felt was weird.
But I am happy to be wrong, on both counts. On the first count, I think what ended up being one of my concerns ended up being my favorite character in the movie. Ben Whishaw plays King Richard II wonderfully. You can tell that he's a bit crazy, definitely a tyrant, spoiled, selfish, truly does believe that he's almost a demi-God, and absolute rule.
The play starts with Harry Bolingbroke & Thomas Mowbray are calling each other guilty of high treason. The King says if they cannot settle their difference, then they will have to go on with their fight to the death.
The nobles all go to watch, and as they start the fight, but before either can land a blow, King Richard throws his scepter down on the ground, and calls off the fight. He angrily yells at them both, and banishes Mowbray for life, and Bolingbroke for ten years. Then he takes away four of the years, so it's six years. Both are astounded by the harsh judgement. As Mowbray spouts out how angry and confused about his sentence, the King gives treats to his monkey. I just think it's kind of funny. They then swear that the two banished will never meet in exile and plot against the crown.
The King reduces Harry's banishment to six years, in order to make John the Gaunt (Patrick Stewart), happier. Yet he is angry, as he realizes he will not be alive to see him return.
Harry says goodbye to his father and sets off in the sea.
Duke of Aumerie tells the King that he is gone. The King talks to his loyal subjects by a pond that he did not trust Harry. The common people loved him too much. And as they were cousins, who could very well challenge his title to the thrown. King Richard moves on and says that they need more money, and that they should go to Ireland to get money. Before they start out, The King gets word that John of Gaunt is now sick and about to die. The King shows more of his cruel Tyranny as he says lets go see him, and hope that he dies before we get there, and then we may take his money too.
John of Gaunt is angry, and now seems to be content to not hold back any of his thoughts about the King. The King does come with his counsel, and they argue. John of Gaunt does die, and the King does take all the valuables left in the house. It's horrible. John Gaunt friends and family are so angry by this.
They then do head for Ireland, and Harry of Bolingbroke makes his way back to England. A few of his fathers friends meet him and convince him that they want to help him take his right title back. He finds no resistance as they are in Ireland. When the King gets back from Ireland he is heard by a lot of bad news about how Harry has taken nearly everything already, and the King has no control over any army or countrymen. This scene is very moving. Richard starts to lose it a bit, and starts freaking out a bit. You almost feel bad for him. They also find out that his two friends were beheaded which we do see earlier. It's not so realistic, but still really kinda gross to see. Ew.
Then he goes to his castle and is pompously dressed in battle clothes, which look ridiculous and uncomfortable. There is a fun line Harry says before hand about try not to mock him on his clothes. Ha. So he gives himself over after some interesting words. He is later brought in front of the nobles to pronounce that he willing abdicates the thrown. This is another truly spectacular scene. Ben Whishaw is crazy good. And honestly, I do feel bad for him in this scene. Certainly worth seeing this scene!
He is then sent to the Tower, where they kept prisoners in those days. You see ash fall on the King, in another moving scene. Harry is then crowned King Henry IV. Richard's wife is exiled.
Duke of Aumerie is then caught by his father carrying a note that contains treasonous information. A plan to kill King Henry IV. His father turns it in to the King. The Duke's mother begs the King to forgive him. The King agrees but demands the heads of all of his conspirators. In the end we see the Duke go to the Tower and kill Richard II, which is super sad (even though...he's the villan). The people bring Henry IV the heads of the conspirators. The Duke brings in the coffin containing Richard. Henry is VERY angry at this. He claims he did not order for his life to be lost, no matter how many times he wished it happened naturally. It's quite sad.
...Basically the end!
This was brief, and I'm sure I missed lots. But for a 2.5 hour movie, this could have gone on for awhile! (i.e. my Avengers review!)
So definitely worth seeing. I know not everyone understands Shakespeare, but I feel the surperb acting will help those who don't understand. I'm looking forward to reading this play now, and REALLY looking forward to Henry IV Part One!!!
-LJ
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