---
product_id: 50155044
title: "The Shakespeare Collection [DVD] [1978]"
price: "₨9402"
currency: SCR
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.sc/products/50155044-the-shakespeare-collection-dvd-1978
store_origin: SC
region: Seychelles
---

# The Shakespeare Collection [DVD] [1978]

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## Description

Box set collection of 34 BBC dramatisations of Shakespeare's classic plays. With directors including Jonathan Miller, Jane Howell, David Giles, and Elijah Moshinsky, the plays star Alan Rickman, John Gielgud, Zoë Wanamaker, Bernard Hill, Helen Mirren, Nigel Hawthorne, Bob Hoskins, Derek Jacobi and Patrick Stewart, among others. The episodes are: 'Romeo and Juliet' (1978); 'Richard II' (1983); 'As You Like It' (1978); 'Julius Caesar' (1978); 'Measure For Measure' (1979); 'Henry VIII' (1979); 'Henry IV Parts One and Two' (1979); 'Henry V Parts One and Two' (1979); 'Twelfth Night' (1980); 'The Tempest' (1980); 'The Taming of the Shrew' (1980); 'The Merchant of Venice' (1980); 'All's Well That Ends Well' (1981); 'The Winter's Tale' (1981); 'Timon of Athens' (1981); 'Antony and Cleopatra' (1981); 'Othello' (1981); 'Troilus and Cressida' (1981); 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (1982); 'Henry VI Parts One, Two and Three' (1983); 'Richard III' (1983); 'Cymbeline' (1982); 'The Comedy of Errors' (1983); 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' (1983); 'Coriolanus' (1984); 'The Life and Death of King John' (1984); 'Pericles' (1984); 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1984); 'Love's Labour's Lost' (1985); 'Titus Andronicus' (1985); 'Hamlet' (1980); 'King Lear' (1982); 'Macbeth' (1983); and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1981).

Review: Excellent collection - I recommend this collection highly to all Shakespeare lovers. Ever since I've received it, I've watched one play almost every night,and I've enjoyed very much the plays I've seen so far. It is great to have the entire collection, and not just a few plays, and even though there are edits and inevitable directorial interpretations, I feel these productions are more faithful to Shakespeare than some cinematic endeavours we've been used to, if only because the relative barrenness of the settings is more historically faithful to original practices and thus more attention is paid to Shakespeare's language. For in language, both spoken as well as body language, is where the power of Shakespeare's drama lies, and this is very evident in the BBC productions. Having said that, I will add that a lot of attention has been paid to settings and costumes. Casts of wonderful actors make the characters really come alive. Jane Lapotaire is wonderful as Cleopatra and as Lady Macbeth, Anthony Quayle is a memorable Falstaff in the two parts of Henry IV, Tim Piggott Smith captures Hotspur perfectly in the same, Jon Finch looks exactly as I've imagined the usurping Bolingbroke to look, the 14 year old Rebecca Saire is a superb Juliet, the plebeians in Julius Caesar resemble contemporary tradesmen and speak in a sort of delightful Cockney accent. These are just a few examples from the plays I've had time to watch so far. Crucially, I was delighted to see the actors do the roles in different ways than the cinematic productions often condition us to think about the characters. For instance, look out for Juliet's nanny in the BBC production as opposed to that in Zefirelli's film. It is also interesting to see some very well known British actors, a mix of Shakespeareans like John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi, along with more popularly known actors such as Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Hopkins or Clive Swift. All 37 DVDs come in slim cases, there is also a little brochure with some stills from the productions, an introduction which I found quite interesting, and details about the date, director, and cast of each production. It all comes in a beautiful box, which is a joy to behold. Yes, the top flap on mine is also torn, it seems to have happened to everyone, and the top and bottom of the Antony and Cleopatra slim case was also broken, but I wouldn't exaggerate. It's hardly reason to fault the entire collection. The DVD's themselves are fine, and of excellent quality. In sum, the collection is very worth investing in, and I'm very glad I bought it. I dare say it is a must for any lover of Shakespeare and something that will stay with you for many years to come.
Review: Marvellous - We watched a number of these when the Beeb originally showed them. It amazes me that (so far as I know) they haven't been repeated - unless on some pay channel? I found them in the library and rewatched a fair number, then bought 3, before deciding I shall have to buy this whole set (which have just done) as it's even better than I remembered and Shakespeare is, of course, the best. Wonderful to be reminded how many of my favourite actors are in these plays. Sir Robert Stephens so good in Winter's Tale, Michael Kitchen simply perfect as the look-alike but certainly not act-alike twins in the crazy Comedy of Errors and as the wicked Edmund in Lear - a play which I hadn't liked too much in the earlier version I'd seen many years ago but now find masterly. Robert Lindsay blows you away as the definitive Benedick - even better than the Branagh version which was pretty good. A simply beautiful production of Love's Labour's Lost which I'd been disappointed in when seeing it first of all as the Branagh musical movie but in the Beeb version it's one of my favourites now, Twelfth Night which is my all-time favourite of all the plays although this is not my favourite production of it - which is the Trevor Nunn movie - but it's a close run with my only disappointment a rather wet Orsino who was far better and more realistically presented I think by a more suitably Ducal and exciting Toby Stevens in the Nunn movie. Warren Mitchell an amazing Shylock in a play I'd never rated in my favourites but now I'm rethinking. What's his name who played Reggie Perrin is simply splendid as the devious King John which I certainly hadn't seen before, and oh my goodness John Cleese and an ideal actress whose name I forget both so well cast in Taming of the Shrew. Measure for Measure which was a revelation when we first saw it. Not to mention some plays I hadn't ever seen before even when originally broadcast - All's Well that Ends Well, a real find, and Pericles which is an exciting adventure. Hamlet and Richard II with brilliant performances by Derek Jacobi - two of my most favourites in the set. One reason I think I have so far liked all these performances without exception is the staging. They are as I feel Shakespeare should be presented. Not exactly as you'd see them on stage in his time in most cases but very much how they could have been if he'd had only a few more resources. These sets feel "authentic".

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Contributor | Alan Rickman, Alvin Rakoff, Andrew Sachs, Anthony Hopkins, Basil Coleman, Bernard Hill, Bob Hoskins, Charles Gray, Claire Bloom, David Giles, David Hugh Jones, Derek Jacobi, Desmond Davis, Don Taylor, Elijah Moshinsky, Helen Mirren, Herbert Wise, Jack Gold, James Cellan Jones, Jane Howell, John Gielgud, John Gorrie, John Rhys-Davies, Jon Finch, Jonathan Miller, Kate Nelligan, Kevin Billington, Lalla Ward, Nigel Hawthorne, Patrick Ryecart, Patrick Stewart, Penelope Wilton, Peter Benson, Rebecca Saire, Rodney Bennett, Sinéad Cusack, Stuart Burge, Zoë Wanamaker Contributor Alan Rickman, Alvin Rakoff, Andrew Sachs, Anthony Hopkins, Basil Coleman, Bernard Hill, Bob Hoskins, Charles Gray, Claire Bloom, David Giles, David Hugh Jones, Derek Jacobi, Desmond Davis, Don Taylor, Elijah Moshinsky, Helen Mirren, Herbert Wise, Jack Gold, James Cellan Jones, Jane Howell, John Gielgud, John Gorrie, John Rhys-Davies, Jon Finch, Jonathan Miller, Kate Nelligan, Kevin Billington, Lalla Ward, Nigel Hawthorne, Patrick Ryecart, Patrick Stewart, Penelope Wilton, Peter Benson, Rebecca Saire, Rodney Bennett, Sinéad Cusack, Stuart Burge, Zoë Wanamaker See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 258 Reviews |
| Format | PAL |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 05014503176723 |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | 2 Entertain Video |
| Number of discs | 37 |
| Publication date | 14 Nov. 2005 |
| Runtime | 99 hours |

## Product Details

- **Format:** PAL
- **Contributor:** Jane Howell, Alvin Rakoff, Jon Finch, Bernard Hill, Basil Coleman, Stuart Burge, Rodney Bennett, Jonathan Miller, Penelope Wilton, Patrick Stewart, Zoë Wanamaker, Herbert Wise, Helen Mirren, John Gorrie, Derek Jacobi, Don Taylor, Nigel Hawthorne, Patrick Ryecart, Kate Nelligan, Desmond Davis, John Rhys-Davies, Kevin Billington, Elijah Moshinsky, Claire Bloom, Peter Benson, Sinéad Cusack, James Cellan Jones, Rebecca Saire, Anthony Hopkins, Andrew Sachs, David Giles, Bob Hoskins, Charles Gray, David Hugh Jones, John Gielgud, Alan Rickman, Lalla Ward, Jack Gold
- **Language:** English
- **Number of discs:** 37
- **Runtime:** 99 hours

## Images

![The Shakespeare Collection [DVD] [1978] - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nHHnq7W1L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent collection
*by D***E on 5 December 2005*

I recommend this collection highly to all Shakespeare lovers. Ever since I've received it, I've watched one play almost every night,and I've enjoyed very much the plays I've seen so far. It is great to have the entire collection, and not just a few plays, and even though there are edits and inevitable directorial interpretations, I feel these productions are more faithful to Shakespeare than some cinematic endeavours we've been used to, if only because the relative barrenness of the settings is more historically faithful to original practices and thus more attention is paid to Shakespeare's language. For in language, both spoken as well as body language, is where the power of Shakespeare's drama lies, and this is very evident in the BBC productions. Having said that, I will add that a lot of attention has been paid to settings and costumes. Casts of wonderful actors make the characters really come alive. Jane Lapotaire is wonderful as Cleopatra and as Lady Macbeth, Anthony Quayle is a memorable Falstaff in the two parts of Henry IV, Tim Piggott Smith captures Hotspur perfectly in the same, Jon Finch looks exactly as I've imagined the usurping Bolingbroke to look, the 14 year old Rebecca Saire is a superb Juliet, the plebeians in Julius Caesar resemble contemporary tradesmen and speak in a sort of delightful Cockney accent. These are just a few examples from the plays I've had time to watch so far. Crucially, I was delighted to see the actors do the roles in different ways than the cinematic productions often condition us to think about the characters. For instance, look out for Juliet's nanny in the BBC production as opposed to that in Zefirelli's film. It is also interesting to see some very well known British actors, a mix of Shakespeareans like John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi, along with more popularly known actors such as Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Hopkins or Clive Swift. All 37 DVDs come in slim cases, there is also a little brochure with some stills from the productions, an introduction which I found quite interesting, and details about the date, director, and cast of each production. It all comes in a beautiful box, which is a joy to behold. Yes, the top flap on mine is also torn, it seems to have happened to everyone, and the top and bottom of the Antony and Cleopatra slim case was also broken, but I wouldn't exaggerate. It's hardly reason to fault the entire collection. The DVD's themselves are fine, and of excellent quality. In sum, the collection is very worth investing in, and I'm very glad I bought it. I dare say it is a must for any lover of Shakespeare and something that will stay with you for many years to come.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Marvellous
*by H***N on 28 September 2007*

We watched a number of these when the Beeb originally showed them. It amazes me that (so far as I know) they haven't been repeated - unless on some pay channel? I found them in the library and rewatched a fair number, then bought 3, before deciding I shall have to buy this whole set (which have just done) as it's even better than I remembered and Shakespeare is, of course, the best. Wonderful to be reminded how many of my favourite actors are in these plays. Sir Robert Stephens so good in Winter's Tale, Michael Kitchen simply perfect as the look-alike but certainly not act-alike twins in the crazy Comedy of Errors and as the wicked Edmund in Lear - a play which I hadn't liked too much in the earlier version I'd seen many years ago but now find masterly. Robert Lindsay blows you away as the definitive Benedick - even better than the Branagh version which was pretty good. A simply beautiful production of Love's Labour's Lost which I'd been disappointed in when seeing it first of all as the Branagh musical movie but in the Beeb version it's one of my favourites now, Twelfth Night which is my all-time favourite of all the plays although this is not my favourite production of it - which is the Trevor Nunn movie - but it's a close run with my only disappointment a rather wet Orsino who was far better and more realistically presented I think by a more suitably Ducal and exciting Toby Stevens in the Nunn movie. Warren Mitchell an amazing Shylock in a play I'd never rated in my favourites but now I'm rethinking. What's his name who played Reggie Perrin is simply splendid as the devious King John which I certainly hadn't seen before, and oh my goodness John Cleese and an ideal actress whose name I forget both so well cast in Taming of the Shrew. Measure for Measure which was a revelation when we first saw it. Not to mention some plays I hadn't ever seen before even when originally broadcast - All's Well that Ends Well, a real find, and Pericles which is an exciting adventure. Hamlet and Richard II with brilliant performances by Derek Jacobi - two of my most favourites in the set. One reason I think I have so far liked all these performances without exception is the staging. They are as I feel Shakespeare should be presented. Not exactly as you'd see them on stage in his time in most cases but very much how they could have been if he'd had only a few more resources. These sets feel "authentic".

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Complete dramatic works of Shakespeare, BBC. Inspiring and inspired!
*by V***R on 25 August 2009*

This massive box set contains all 36 of Shakespeare's plays on 37 discs (Richard III is split across two discs). As far as I can tell (though I'm no expert so might be wrong) the productions follow the original texts faithfully, and no cuts have been made. All the DVD's have English subtitles, which also have no cuts. The discs are presented in 36 slim line cases, contained in a sturdy and well decorated cardboard box. The hinge on the lid is the only let down, this seems to tear quite easily. The productions all date from the period 1978-1984. Set design is usually pretty basic and typical of stage productions, though there are some imaginative variations, notably the water garden/forest sets of Midsummer night's dream, and the playground setting for Henry VI parts 1,2 and 3 and Richard III. The series employs a wide range of actors, from notable Shakespeareans such as Gielgud and Jacobi to more unusual choices such as John Cleese (as a notable Petruchio in taming of the shrew) and Bob Hoskins (as a gangsterish Iago)Using this range of actors, not all of whom are familiar with Shakespearean acting, often provides a different characterisation than we're used to, and makes the plays quite accessible. There are a lot of plays here, so it's impossible to discuss all of them. The particular highlights for me were Richard III - we're all used to Olivier's pantomime villain, rabidly chewing whatever scenery comes to hand. Here we're presented with Ron Cook's very understated performance, the complete opposite of Olivier. This makes some of Richards deeds seem the more shocking, as he seems an ordinary person. John Cleese as Petruchio is a revelation. It would have been so easy for him to play it as Basil Fawlty, but here he makes Petruchio a considerate character, with whom we have much sympathy. Titus Andronicus, usually considered one of the 'difficult' plays is here made quite watchable by a superb Trevor Peacock, with Hugh Quarshie making a suitably slimy Aaron. The best plays though have to be Henry IV parts 1 and 2. For two reasons - Jon Finch's perfectly nuanced Henry IV, and Anthony Quayle as the greatest Falstaff I have ever seen. He nearly brought me to tears in the final scene with his reaction to Harry's devastating "I know thee not old man". Compare this to Richard Griffiths' Falstaff in Merry Wives Of Windsor - it's a good performance (and one of my favourite plays) but just not in the same class as Quayle. There are very few low points here. And those are due to the writer, not the productions. Two Gentlemen of Verona and Love Labours Lost are particularly difficult to get through, but that is true no matter who puts them on. At the price being asked this is an excellent way to get hold of all the Bard's plays on DVD, worth while for the casual fan (such as myself), and I would guess to teachers and scholars, due to the textual faithfulness and the interesting slant and different readings of some well known characters. Highly recommended.

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*Product available on Desertcart Seychelles*
*Store origin: SC*
*Last updated: 2026-03-20*