KING JOHN

King John (1984)

BBC Release

Details

• DVD Region: 2+4 PAL (UK & Europe)
• Certificate: U
• Running Time: Approx. 155 minutes
• Type: Fullscreen
• Originally Transmitted: 3rd December 1984
• DVD Release Date: 2005
• Released By: BBC Worldwide Ltd.
• Distributed By: DD Home Entertainment
• Format: Colour DVD PAL
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Audio: Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3

© BBC Television in association with Time-Life
All Rights Reserved

A HISTORICAL TRAGEDIE

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought great performances from leading contemporary actors.

"Bell, book, and candle shall not drive me back,
When gold and silver becks me to come on!"

The reign of England's King John is threatened by Philip of France, who demands that John's nephew Arthur be placed on the throne. Pragmatic and decisive, King John moves to placate the French, but there are others who seek to dispute his authority.

With a magnificent performance by Leonard Rossiter as King John and superb supporting roles by John Thaw and Claire Bloom, this production illuminates the themes of legitimacy and loyalty that run through Shakespeare's powerful history play.

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CAST

First billed only

• Leonard Rossiter ... King John
• William Whymper ... Chatillon
• Mary Morris ... Queen Elinor
• Robert Brown ... Earl of Pembroke
• John Castle ... Earl of Salisbury
• John Flint ... Lord Bigot
• John Thaw ... Hubert de Burgh
• George Costigan ... Philip the Bastard
• Edward Hibbert ... Robert Faulconbridge
• Phyllida Law ... Lady Faulconbridge
• Mike Lewin ... James Gurney
• Charles Kay ... King Philip
• Jonathan Coy ... Lewis, the Dauphin
• Luc Owen ... Arthur
• Gorden Kaye ... Duke of Austria
• Claire Bloom ... Constance

• Directed: David Giles
• Produced: Shaun Sutton
• Playwright: William Shakespeare