PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRES

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (BBC 1984) – DVD Edition

BBC Release

Details

• DVD Region: 2 + 4 PAL (UK & Europe)
• Certificate: 12
• Running Time: Approx. 178 minutes
• Type: Fullscreen
• Originally Transmitted: 8th 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 Dramatic Romance

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

". . . I see that Time’s the king of men,
He’s both their parent, and he is their grave.
And gives them what he will, not what they crave"

When Pericles discovers the terrible answer to King Antiochus’s riddle, he flees for his life. In self-exile from Tyre, he encounters famine, shipwreck, love, and fatherhood—but in his desire to return home, he once again jeopardises his life and those he loves.

It is probable that George Wilkins wrote the first nine scenes of this romance, with Shakespeare making additions and writing the remaining thirteen. In this production, a talented cast brings the story to life, overcoming the play’s traditional staging challenges with compelling performances.

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Enter Gower as Prologue

GOWER:
"To sing a song that was old when sung
From ashes ancient Gower is come,
Assuming man’s infirmities
To glad your ear and please your eyes . . .
. . . What now ensures, to th’ judgement of your eye
I give, my cause who best can justify"

Mike Gwilym · Amanda Redman
John Woodvine
Annette Crosbie and Juliet Stevenson
Directed by David Jones
Produced by Shaun Sutton

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Dramatis Personae

In Credits Order:

• Edward Petherbridge … Gower
• John Woodvine … King Antiochus
• Edita Brychta … Antiochus's Daughter
• Mike Gwilym … Pericles
• Robert Ashby … Thaliard, Fifth Knight
• John Bardon … Lord of Tyre, Fisherman of Pentapolis, Storm Sailor
• Peter Gordon … Lord of Tyre, Pirate
• Iain Mitchell … Lord of Tyre, Pirate
• Patrick Godfrey … Helicanus
• Toby Salaman … Escanes, Pandar
• Norman Rodway … Cleon of Tarsus
• Annette Crosbie … Dionyza
• Christopher Saul … Lord of Tarsus, Fourth Knight
• Gordon Gostelow … Fisherman of Pentapolis
• Richard Derrington … Fisherman of Pentapolis, Gentleman of Ephesus
• Patrick Allen … King Simonides
• Juliet Stevenson … Thaisa
• Roger Bizley … Marshal, Pirates
• Christopher Ravenscroft … First Knight, Gentleman of Ephesus
• Malcolm Kaye … Second Knight, Storm Sailor, Brothel Gentleman
• Adam Kurakin … Third Knight, Brothel Gentleman
• Edward Clayton … Lord of Pentapolis, Philemon
• Stephen Oxley … Lord of Pentapolis, Cerimon's Servant
• Valerie Lush … Lychorida
• Clive Swift … Lord Cerimon
• Nick Brimble … Leonine
• Amanda Redman … Marina
• Trevor Peacock … Boult
• Lila Kaye … Bawd
• Patrick Ryecart … Lysimachus
• Frances Kelly … Marina's Companion
• Elayne Sharling … The Goddess Diana
• Rodney James … Dancer
• Jinty Coventry … Dancer
• Mandy Demetriou … Dancer
• Chris Moppett … Dancer

• Director: David Jones
• Produced: Shaun Sutton
• Adapted: William Shakespeare’s original play