The Wars of the Roses (1965)
Synopsis
The Wars of the Roses was a 1963 theatrical adaptation of William Shakespeare's first historical tetralogy (1 Henry VI, 2 Henry VI, 3 Henry VI & Richard III), which deals with the conflict between the House of Lancaster & the House of York over the throne of England, a conflict known as the Wars of the Roses. The plays were adapted by John Barton, and directed by Barton himself & Peter Hall at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The plays were heavily politicized, with Barton and Hall allowing numerous contemporaneous events of the early 1960s to inform their adaptation. The production was a huge critical & commercial success, and is generally regarded as revitalizing the reputation of the Henry VI plays in the modern theatre. Many critics feel The Wars of the Roses set a standard for future productions of the tetralogy which has yet to be surpassed. The 1965 broadcast was so successful that they were shown again, as 11 episodes, each 50 minutes long, in 1966.
First Air Date: 1965-04-08
Last Air Date: 1965-04-22
Number of Seasons: 1
Networks: BBC One
Top Cast
- David Warner as King Henry VI
- Peggy Ashcroft as Queen Margaret
- Donald Burton as Exeter
- Alan Tucker as Prince Edward
- David Hargreaves as Norfolk / Third Citizen
- Brewster Mason as Warwick
- Charles Kay as Clarence / The Dauphin
- Roy Dotrice as King Edward IV / Jack Cade / Edward
- William Squire as Buckingham / Suffolk
- Roger Jones as Second Citutzen / Second Watch / Third Watch
Seasons
Season 1 (1965)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: Henry VI
First part of the RSC's landmark production of The Wars of the Roses, adapted by John Barton.
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Ep. 2: Edward IV
The second play in the RSC's production by Peter Hall starring Alan Tucker and Peggy Ashcroft.
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Ep. 3: Richard III
The third part of the RSC's production by Peter Hall, starring Roy Dotrice.
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