DVD/150: THE WAR OF THE ROSES (Robin Midgley, Michael Hayes, 1965)

Peter Hall and John Barton's conflating of Shakespeare's three HENRY VI plays with RICHARD III for the RSC in 1963 was not only a milestone in British theatre but also for television too when broadcast in 1965, filmed on the Stratford stage the year before.

Hall and Barton's trilogy - HENRY VI, EDWARD IV and RICHARD III - are a textbook adaptation, keeping the action flowing while retaining the poetry.  The BBC's decision to film it was remarkable as their version of all the History plays, AN AGE OF KINGS, had been broadcast in 1960.

With two years experience of the roles, the actors deliver definitive performances: 23 year-old David Warner as Henry VI, Peggy Ashcroft as an unforgettable Margaret of Anjou;  Donald Sinden's York, Brewster Mason's Warwick and Janet Suzman's Joan La Pucelle all shine.

John Normington is terrific as Young Clifford while Ian Holm is excellent as Richard III.

Shelf or charity shop?  These three kings will rule the shelf for some time to come...

 

Dvd/150: MORGAN - A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT (Karel Reisz, 1966)

MORGAN is easy to admire but harder to love.  I find the irreverent and anarchic tone now dated and David Mercer's character of Morgan (in keeping with the 'heroes' of the early 60s British film renaissance) a whinger who needs a hard, dry slap.

Morgan cannot accept that his wife Leonie has divorced him and continues to mooch about their home even though she is now dating art dealer Charles.  Leonie is torn between the chance for a secure life and still loving the infuriating but loving Morgan.

 
Morgan's attempts to sabotage Leonie and Charles' life together leave Leonie bemused, Charles furious and his left-wing mum annoyed as she accuses him of being a class traitor for marrying the upper-class Leonie.

Fine performances from David Warner, Vanessa Redgrave (Cannes Best Actress Award), Robert Stephens and Irene Handl survive Reisz's insistent freeze-frames, jump-cuts and speeded-up footage.

Shelf or charity shop?  Shelf.