Henry IV: Part 1

Shakespeare's Henry V, performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

A Quintet Film in association with the National Theatre

William Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Shakespeare's Richard III, performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

Second part of an adapted version of Henry VI as performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

First part of an adapted version of Henry VI as performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 2 performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

Jealous conspirators convince Caesar's friend Brutus to join their assassination plot against Caesar. To stop Caesar from gaining too much power, Brutus and the conspirators kill him on the Ides of March.

Shakespeare's Richard II recorded live at the Grand Theatre in Swansea, performed by the English Shakespeare Company as part of the complete Historical Octology.

Award-winning documentary in which theatre director Michael Bogdanov tries to persuade residents of a Birmingham estate to perform the Bard. After initial indifference, in three weeks he builds a company of enthusiastic amateur actors whose performances of scenes from the plays are riveting. Here's a thuggish Caliban, a black Shylock full of conviction, and exuberant gang members from Romeo and Juliet. It's only a temporary triumph, but it does demonstrate the power and appeal of Shakespeare, and you wonder at the talent going to waste.