Someone posted the whole episode on the youtube, I don't know how long it will stay there

I tried to copy and paste it, but of course no dice!
However;
1. Part 1 is there, too.
2. I just googled Youtube and searched for it.

I picked up Radio Times today: Benedict as Richard on the cover, Benedict and Andrew(pix of) inside, plus an article with Benedict quotes.

I think editing these sprawling and confusing plays helped immensely. They turned the trilogy into a political thriller/blood-spattered action spectacle allowing for quiet and sad moments as well. I watched the last half hour with my son who is 17, had never seen or read Shakespeare, and we had no subtitles and yet he was not bored (I explained what was going on). So they must have done something right if they can reach people who usually do not like Shakespeare or are afraid or not understanding it or cannot connect with the language. 

Have you watched "Richard II" from the first cycle? This is wonderful as well, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear are sensational. 

What a brilliant shot.

Finally I got to watch the first two!

Benedict is amazing as Richard and I feel he is actually giving him a lot of facets.

Shakespeare truly does suit him well!

Ariane DeVere wrote:

I don’t like Shakespeare. There, I’ve said it, and I know that I will now be killed to death with sticks, but I simply don’t like Shakespeare. I didn’t get it at school, I still don’t get it now. I went to see Martin in R3 because I was interested to see how he performed in such a different role to those he’d done on TV, and I still didn’t get it. I went to see Benedict’s Hamlet twice with Sherlockian friends who came over from abroad just to see the play, and I still didn’t get it. The dialogue simply doesn’t resonate with me; I don’t understand why such archaic language is still in use. I also realise that that’s my problem and that many many other people love Shakespeare and the language, but I simply don’t like Shakespeare, and I don’t get it.

So I was resigned to watch this series of The Hollow Crown just because it had a Benedict in it, but I wasn’t looking forward to it and reckoned that once again I would simply be admiring the Pretty whilst being bored and confused by what the hell they were talking about.

But something made me watch Part I even though I knew that Ben wasn’t in it. And I was enthralled. I don’t know what it was that made this better than any Shakespeare I’ve watched before, but I was engaged, and interested, and fascinated. It helped that the cinematography was phenomenal but I wasn’t just watching the scenery. Maybe it was because I watched with the subtitles on and therefore was reading as well as listening, but I actually understood the dialogue and wasn’t put off by the archaic language.

So I couldn’t wait for Part II! Some good Shakespeare and Benedict as well? Double bonus! And it didn’t disappoint. So many fantastic performances, amazing photography, superb directing. I got it. I really got it. So much so that on Sunday I watched the whole episode a second time and still wasn’t bored or distracted.

Of course, because I’m still facile at times, I do have to point out that the moment when George reunited with his brothers and Richard said, “This is brother-like,” and clicked the hell out of the ‘k’ got rewound about six times before I could move on. And then afterwards I rewound to that bit and played it a few more times ...

No, I don’t claim to be a Shakespeare convert. But more productions like this - and with subtitles - and I’ll be watching.

This post made me happy. I don't get Shakespeare either. And I dont' get theatre acting. Even well-known actors that I KNOW are extremely talented seem to over-act whenever they are on stage. And whatever emotional reaction I might have to whatever is going on in a scene, is squashed when that arcaic language is used. I can't relate. At all. 

Only thing i*ve noticed is that there are a lot of great quotes. Whenever I see something Shakesperean, I am amazed of the quality of the dialogue (the bits I can understand). 

So I am still there that the only reason I am going to watch The Hollow Crown is to gawk at Ben. And then we'll see if I can manage to get anything else out of it.

Well, it's a very superficial reason. So unfortnately I'm in the pleebes category that give Ben fans a bad name (only watching the classics because of the main actor). 

No one is required to like any form of entertainment and I think Ben would be pleased that you are at least giving something a chance because he's in it. 

I agree whole heartedly Susi.

Of course, I would be happy hearing Benedict read the phone book. 

I watched it today on iplayer and that was amazing.  Benedict is such a good actor!

Will we see more of Andrew Scott in the next episode?

Last edited by Kirkiarty (May 16, 2016 9:54 pm)