MovieChat Forums > The First Part of King Henry the Fourth, with the Life and Death of Henry Surnamed Hotspur (1979) Discussion > Best Adaption Of Both Plays

Best Adaption Of Both Plays

posted 16 years ago by TemporaryOne-1

These (Parts 1 and 2) are the best filmed productions of Henry IV Parts 1 and 2.

Anthony Quayle is the greatest Falstaff, loveable, delighful, regale, robust, bloated, boisterous, bumbling, blustering, desperate, ridiculed, mocked, withered, woebegone. A natural, real-life Falstaff.

Both productions are passionate productions (and two of the better BBC "Television Shakespeare" productions from 1978 and 1985), featuring fiery, high-caliber, heroic performances by Anthony Quayle, Jon Finch, David Gwillim, and Tim Pigott-Smith (Henry Hotspur, Part 1).

This is a staged production with minimal stage design and props, and without artistic photo direction, but, unlike Welles' Chimes At Midnight, the BBC adaptations retain 80% of Shakespeare's dialogue, and thus we are presented with an accurate depiction of the motivations and behaviours of Prince Hal and Henry Hotspur, in addition to Hal's harsh, cruel, manipulative treatment and betrayal of Sir John.

Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 (1979) are must-watch films for any Falstaff, and Shakespeare, fan.

8/10 for both.