THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (1983)

BBC Release

Details

• DVD Region: 2+4 PAL (UK & Europe)
• Certificate: PG
• Running Time: Approx. 137 minutes
• Originally Transmitted: 27th December 1983
• DVD Release Date: 2005
• Released By: BBC Worldwide Ltd.
• Distributed By: DD Home Entertainment
• Format: Colour DVD PAL
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Audio: Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3

© BBC Television in association with Time-Life
All Rights Reserved

A Tragedie

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare’s plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and featured outstanding performances from leading contemporary actors.

“What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?
What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?
Unless it be to think that she is by
And feed upon the shadow of perfection.”

Two great friends leave Verona for Milan. Valentine with great enthusiasm and Proteus unwillingly, as he will have to leave his recently-betrothed Julia. Valentine soon falls in love with Silvia, daughter of the Duke of Milan, but then Proteus meets the captivating Silvia and he too becomes besotted.

One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, this comedy examines the conflicts between friendship and love. This production, with Tyler Butterworth and John Hudson in the title roles, revels in the moral twists and turns undergone in the contests of wit, disguises of lovers, tragic betrayals, dangerous outlaws, and comic interludes.

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Enter Valentine and Proteus

Valentine:
"Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus.
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.
Were’t not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honoured love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Than, living dully sluggardized at home..."

William Shakespeare

His Most Excellent
Comedie
The Two Gentlemen Of Verona

Dramatis Personae

In credits order:

• Frank Barrie ... Sir Eglamour
• Tessa Peake-Jones ... Julia
• Joanne Pearce ... Silvia
• Hetta Charnley ... Lucetta
• Tyler Butterworth ... Proteus
• Tony Haygarth ... Launce
• John Hudson ... Valentine
• Nicholas Kaby ... Speed
• Michael Byrne ... Antonio
• John Woodnutt ... Panthino
• David Collings ... Thurio
• Daniel Flynn ... Servant
• Bella ... Crab
• Paul Daneman ... Duke of Milan
• Jonathan Taylor ... Cupid
• Charlotte Richardson ... Cupid
• Michael Graham Cox ... Host

Lutenists

• Bill Badley
• Robin Jeffrey
• Tom Finucane
• Adam Kurakin ... First Outlaw
• John Baxter ... Second Outlaw
• Andrew Burt ... Third Outlaw

~ et al . . . ~

• Directed: Don Taylor
• Adapted: William Shakespeare’s original play