Original title
The Wars of the Roses
Released
1/6/1966
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
1
Number of episodes
11
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.
The original 3-part broadcasts from 1965
First part of the RSC's landmark production of The Wars of the Roses, adapted by John Barton.
The second play in the RSC's production by Peter Hall starring Alan Tucker and Peggy Ashcroft.
The third part of the RSC's production by Peter Hall, starring Roy Dotrice.
1 Henry VI Acts 1, 2, 3 and Act 4, Scene 1 (Henry choosing a red rose and inadvertently aligning himself with Somerset).
1 Henry VI Act 4, Scene 2 (Lord Talbot confronting the French general at Harfleur), and the first half of Act 1, Scene 1 of 2 Henry VI (up to Henry and Margaret leaving the court).
The second half of Act 1, Scene 1 of 2 Henry VI (Gloucester unburdening his concerns to the court) and the rest of Act 1, Act 2 and Act 3, Scene 1 (York's soliloquy regarding the fact he now has troops at his disposal, and his revelation of his plans to use Jack Cade to instigate a popular rebellion).
2 Henry VI Act 3, Scene 2 to Act 4, Scene 8 (beginning with the aftermath of Humphrey's murder, and concluding with Jack Cade's forces abandoning him).
2 Henry VI Act 4, Scene 9 (Henry pardoning those who abandoned Jack Cade) and 3 Henry VI Act 1 and Act 2, Scene 1 (Warwick rallying Edward, Richard and Clarence after the death of their father).
3 Henry VI Act 2, Scene 2 to Act 3, Scene 3 (beginning with the arrival of the House of Lancaster to York, and concluding with Warwick's avowal to remove Edward from the throne and restore Henry).
3 Henry VI Act 3, Scene 4 to Act 5, Scene 5 (beginning with George abandoning Edward in protest at his marriage to Lady Grey, and concluding with the death of Prince Edward and the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Tewkesbury).
3 Henry VI Act 5, Scene 6 (Richard murdering Henry) and Richard III Act 1, Scenes 1, 2 and 3 (Richard sending two murderers to kill George).
Richard III Act 1, Scene 4 to Act 3, Scene 4 (beginning with George's murder, and concluding with the arrest of Hastings).
Richard III Act 3, Scene 5 to Act 5, Scene 1 (beginning with the Lord Mayor arriving to implore Richard to become King, and concluding with the death of Buckingham).
Richard III Act 5, Scene 2 onwards (Richmond's arrival in England).
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