Richard II. Episode 1.

DRAMA: The Hollow Crown
On: BBC HD    
Date: Saturday 30th June 2012 (Already shown)
Time: 9:00 PM to 11:20 PM (2 hours and 20 minutes long)

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare's History Plays - Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. Richard calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm. Richard visits John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke's father, who, in the throes of death, reprimands the king. After seizing Gaunt's money and land, Richard leaves for wars against the rebels in Ireland. Bolingbroke returns to claim back his inheritance. Supported by his allies, Northumberland and the Duke of York, Bolingbroke takes Richard prisoner and lays claim to the throne.

Director: Rupert Goold
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, David Suchet, David Morrissey, Lindsay Duncan, James Purefoy




Henry IV (Part 1 of 2). Episode 2.

DRAMA: The Hollow Crown
On: BBC HD    
Date: Saturday 7th July 2012 (Already shown)
Time: 9:00 PM to 10:55 PM (1 hour and 55 minutes long)

The heir to the throne, Prince Hal (Tom Hiddleston), defies his father, King Henry (Jeremy Irons), by spending his time at Mistress Quickly's (Julie Walters) tavern in the company of the dissolute Falstaff (Simon Russell Beale) and his companions. The King is threatened by a rebellion led by Hal's rival, Hotspur (Joe Armstrong), his father Northumberland (Alun Armstrong) and his uncle Worcester (David Hayman). In the face of this danger to the state, Prince Hal joins his father to defeat the rebels at the Battle of Shrewsbury and kill Hotspur in single combat.

Director: Richard Eyre




Henry IV (Part 2 of 2). Episode 3.

DRAMA: The Hollow Crown
On: BBC HD    
Date: Saturday 14th July 2012 (Already shown)
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (2 hours long)

In the aftermath of the Battle of Shrewsbury, Northumberland learns of the death of his son. The Lord Chief Justice attempts on behalf of the increasingly frail King to separate Falstaff from Prince Hal. The rebels continue to plot insurrection. Falstaff is sent to recruit soldiers and takes his leave of his mistress, Doll Tearsheet. The rebel forces are overcome. This brings comfort to the dying king, who is finally reconciled to his son. Falstaff rushes to Hal's coronation with expectations of high office.




Henry V. Episode 4.

DRAMA: The Hollow Crown
On: BBC HD    
Date: Saturday 21st July 2012 (Already shown)
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:15 PM (2 hours and 15 minutes long)

Henry V has settled onto the throne and has the makings of a fine king when the French ambassador brings a challenge from the Dauphin. Inspired by his courtiers Exeter and York, Henry swears that he will, with all force, answer this challenge. The chorus tells of England's preparations for war and Henry's army sails for France. After Exeter's diplomacy is rebuffed by the French king, Henry lays a heavy siege and captures Harfleur. The French now take Henry's claims seriously and challenge the English army to battle at Agincourt.

Director: Thea Sharrock



Format            : Matroska at 5 174 Kbps
Length            : 4.19 GiB for 1h 55mn 50s 920ms

Video #0          : AVC at 5 000 Kbps
Aspect            : 1920 x 1080 (1.778) at 25.000 fps

Audio #0          : AC-3 at 192 Kbps
Infos             : 2 channels, 48.0 KHz

Text #0           : UTF-8