Richard II - Production & Contact Info

Richard II (2003)
TV Movie | 210 min | Drama

Richard II (2003)

TV Movie | 210 min | Drama

Richard II is a historical drama by William Shakespeare that depicts the downfall of King Richard II of England and his replacement by Henry Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. The movie adaptation of the play has been made several ...See moreRichard II is a historical drama by William Shakespeare that depicts the downfall of King Richard II of England and his replacement by Henry Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. The movie adaptation of the play has been made several times, with different actors playing the main roles. The plot of the movie follows the main events of the play, which are: Richard II is a weak and wasteful king who alienates his nobles and commoners by his mismanagement of the country and his arbitrary decisions. He banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and seizes his inheritance after the death of Bolingbroke's father, John of Gaunt. Bolingbroke returns from exile with an army and invades England while Richard is away fighting in Ireland. He gains support from many nobles and commoners who are dissatisfied with Richard's rule. He captures Richard and forces him to abdicate the throne. Bolingbroke is crowned as King Henry IV and tries to consolidate his power by pardoning some of Richard's supporters and executing others. He also faces rebellions from some nobles who are unhappy with his usurpation. Richard is imprisoned in Pomfret Castle, where he laments his loss of kingship and identity. He is eventually killed by an assassin who claims to act on Henry's behalf, but Henry denies any involvement and vows to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to atone for his sins. The movie is a tragedy that explores themes such as power, legitimacy, loyalty, identity, and divine right. It shows the contrast between Richard's poetic and eloquent speeches and Henry's pragmatic and political actions. It also foreshadows the troubles that Henry will face in his reign, as depicted in the subsequent plays of Shakespeare's second tetralogy: Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
20 cast members

Name	Known for
Andrew Marr Self - Presenter Self - Presenter See fewer	Doctor Who (2005)
Razia Iqbal Self - Presenter Self - Presenter See fewer	Christmas University Challenge (2011)
Mark Rylance King Richard II King Richard II See fewer	Bridge of Spies (2015)
John McEnery John of Gaunt / Head Gardener / Keeper John of Gaunt / Head Gardener / Keeper See fewer	Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Liam Brennan Henry Bolingbroke later King Henry IV Henry Bolingbroke later King Henry IV See fewer	Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: Twelfth Night (2013)
Terence McGinity Thomas Mowbray / Second Gardener / Groom Thomas Mowbray / Second Gardener / Groom See fewer	Thin Air (1988)
William Osbourne Duchess of Gloucester / Willoughby / Bishop of Carlisle (as William Osborne) Duchess of Gloucester / Willoughby / Bishop of Carlisle (as William Osborne) See fewer	Bedazzled (2000)
Albie Woodington Earl of Northumberland Earl of Northumberland See fewer	The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Chu Omambala Duke of Aumerle Duke of Aumerle See fewer	Treasure Island (2012)
Richard Glaves Sir Henry Green / Lady Sir Henry Green / Lady See fewer	Housewife, 49 (2005)
Justin Shevlin Sir John Bushy / Sir Piers of Exton Sir John Bushy / Sir Piers of Exton See fewer	16 Days (2019)
Patrick Brennan Sir William Bagot / Welsh Captain / Scroop / First Gardener Sir William Bagot / Welsh Captain / Scroop / First Gardener See fewer	Carnival Row (2019)
Bill Stewart Duke of York Duke of York See fewer	101 Dalmatians (1996)
Michael Brown Queen Isabel Queen Isabel See fewer	Anonymous (I) (2011)
Peter Shorey Sir William Ross / Duchess of York Sir William Ross / Duchess of York See fewer	Minder (1979)
Patrick Toomey Servingman / Earl of Salisbury / Baron Fitzwater Servingman / Earl of Salisbury / Baron Fitzwater See fewer	Vera (2011)
Gerald Kyd Sir Harry Percy Sir Harry Percy See fewer	Casualty (1986)
Tim Carroll Self Self See fewer	Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: Twelfth Night (2013)
Corin Redgrave Self Self See fewer	A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Zoë Wanamaker Self Self See fewer	My Week with Marilyn (2011)