The BBC's complete collection of Shakespeare's Plays

The number one selling video series for libraries and literature classes in this country.

This collection has revolutionized the teaching of Shakespeare. As the preeminent production of every Shakespeare play written, performances featured in these productions would otherwise be seen only by the theater elite, in London or New York.

When the BBC first undertook this six-year project, it became the most ambitious undertaking ever attempted on film. This was the first time in the 400 years since they were written that all 37 plays would be preserved on tape. Produced by Cedric Messina and Dr. Jonathan Miller, it includes performances by Britain's most distinguished theatrical talent: John Gielgud, Ben Kingsley, Claire Bloom, Anthony Hopkins, Michael York, Derek Jacobi.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST An extraordinary production of an A splendid satire -- some of enduring comedy. The strong cast Shakespeare's best early poetry. 120 features Helen Mirren and Peter minutes McEnery. 112 minutes MACBETH ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL This savage tragedy is one of Here Shakespeare uses one of his Shakespeare's most enduringly favorite devices--trickery. The young popular. Starring Nicol Williamson countess resorts to chicanery to win and Jane Lapotaire. 148 minutes her husband's respect. 141 minutes MEASURE FOR MEASURE ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA The trickiest sort of play -- a comedy The star, Jane Lapotaire, not only with tragic relief. The New York looks similar to the historical Queen Times says "Kate Nelligan is the of Egypt, but has the range to capture image idealized faultlessness." 145 her many facets. 171 minutes minutes AS YOU LIKE IT MERCHANT OF VENICE Is there a "natural difference" This play presents contrasts in the between a duke's daughter and a character Shylock. Is he villian, commoner? Are men really stronger buffoon or tragic hero? Starring than women? Or is it just society's Warren Mitchell, Gemma Jones. 157 role? Stars Helen Mirren and Richard minutes Pasco. 150 minutes THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Queen Elizabeth herself is said to have Roger Daltrey, lead singer of the requested the return of Falstaff. Here band "The Who," stars in he tries to seduce two respectable Shakespeare's shortest play. 109 wives. Stars Ben Kingsley. 167 minutes minutes CORIOLANUS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING In his last tragedy, Shakespeare The sparring wit of the confirmed studies the character of a soldier. bachelor, Benedick, and the haughty Stars Alan Howard. 145 minutes lady Beatrice seems to delight CYMBELINE audiences more every year. 120 King Cymbeline's evil second queen minutes tries to force Princess Imogen to OTHELLO marry her own son. Starring Claire Perhaps his greatest triumph as a stage Bloom and Helen Mirren. 174 play. Evil Iago plants doubt in minutes Othello's mind about Desdemona, and HAMLET audiences are spellbound. Stars In this richly costumed production, Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins as the greatest tragedy ever written Iago. 208 minutes maintains all the tension of a murder PERICLES mystery. Derek Jacobi is a superb The Prince of Tyre, who flees upon choice as Hamlet. 222 minutes discovering his King in an incestuous HENRY IV, PART I relationship. Starring Mike Gwilym The boisterous Falstaff leads Prince and Amanda Redman. 177 minutes Hal, the heir to the throne, through RICHARD II London's lowlife taverns. Starring A stellar cast includes Derek Jacobi, Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle.147 Sir John Gielgud, and Dame Wendy minutes Hiller. 157 minutes HENRY IV, PART II RICHARD III The death of Henry IV, banishment A huge success in its day, this play of Falstaff and coronation of Hal as portrays an intricate period in English Henry V. Stars Jon Finch, Anthony history. 228 minutes Quayle, David Gwillim.151 minutes ROMEO AND JULIET HENRY V A "hit" for over 400 years. It expresses England's most admired national love in its infinite variety more than hero, Henry V unites his people, any other work in the English invades France, deals with traitors language. Stars Sir John Gielgud. 167 and cements the peace. 163 minutes minutes HENRY VI, PART I THE TAMING OF THE SHREW First of a trilogy, recreating King John Cleese, of Monty Python, Henry's early days. Starring Peter portrays Petruchio to unanimous Benson, Trevor Peacock. 185 minutes acclaim: "an object lesson in serving HENRY VI, PART II Shakespeare to a present-day Henry marries Lady Margaret, but audience." 127 minutes she despises his meekness and takes THE TEMPEST Suffolk as a lover. 212 minutes A timeless stage on an enchanted HENRY VI, PART III island. An exiled Duke and two lovers York wins the War of Roses and encounter the occult. 150 minutes forces Henry to give him succession. TIMON OF ATHENS 210 minutes Choice says "recommended version of HENRY VIII a difficult yet interesting play." His Filmed at Henry's favorite place, most cynical work. 128 minutes Leeds Castle, enacted in the very TITUS ANDRONICUS rooms the King inhabited, 500 years This tragedy draws on brutal Roman ago. Stars Claire Bloom, John Stride. mythology. Stars Eileen Atkins, 165 minutes Trevor Peacock. 120 minutes JULIUS CAESAR TROILUS AND CRESSIDA Breaking dramatic conventions, Says Choice, "This video is simply Shakespeare creates neither a clear- excellent, valuable to anyone teaching cut hero nor a villain. Starring the play." Stars Anton Lesser, Suzanne Charles Gray as Caesar. 161 minutes Burden. 190 minutes KING JOHN TWELFTH NIGHT Here Shakespeare rewrote another's This is the most subtle of work, the only time he uses such a Shakespeare's comedies. Starring Alec source instead of the chronicles McCowen, Trevor Peacock. 124 themselves. Stars Claire Bloom. 120 minutes minutes TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA KING LEAR Shakespeare's earliest attempt at Crisply paced, with an exemplary romantic comedy, two friends fall in cast. Starring Michael Hodern, Anton love with Silvia. 137 minutes Lesser. 185 minutes THE WINTER'S TALE A theme that occupied Shakespeare later in life: reconciliation. Wrongs committed by one generation are made right by the next. 173 minutes