---
product_id: 63347659
title: "The Life and Death of King John - BBC Shakespeare Collection [1984]"
brand: "leonard rossitergeorge costigan"
price: "295 kr"
currency: DKK
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.dk/products/63347659-the-life-and-death-of-king-john-bbc-shakespeare-collection
store_origin: DK
region: Denmark
---

# The Life and Death of King John - BBC Shakespeare Collection [1984]

**Brand:** leonard rossitergeorge costigan
**Price:** 295 kr
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Life and Death of King John - BBC Shakespeare Collection [1984] by leonard rossitergeorge costigan
- **How much does it cost?** 295 kr with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.dk](https://www.desertcart.dk/products/63347659-the-life-and-death-of-king-john-bbc-shakespeare-collection)

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- leonard rossitergeorge costigan enthusiasts

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## Description

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 brought highly praised performances from leading contemporary actors - THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN [1984] The reign of England's King John is threatened by Philip of France who demands that John's nephew Arthur be placed on the throne. Pragmatic and decisive, King John moves to placate the French, but there are others who seek to dispute his authority. With a magnificent performance by Leonard Rossiter as King John and superb supporting roles by John Thaw and Claire Bloom, this production illuminates the themes of legitimacy and loyalty that runs through Shakespeare's powerful history play.

## Images

![The Life and Death of King John - BBC Shakespeare Collection [1984] - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WDS3WPYQL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A LEONARD ROSSITER CUIRIOSITY
  

*by M***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2019*

A chance to see one of the cannon’s rarely performed plays.  Nowadays, one of the main pleasures of these BBC Shakespeares is the chance to see long dead actors in their pomp.  John Thaw is a delight as the villainous Hubert, and his furious argument with the king (played by Leonard Rossiter) is a real highlight.This was one of Rossiter’s last performances, and it was interesting to see him in a serious role.  His John carried real menace and, although certain of his mannerisms and facial expressions were familiar, I never got the sense that Rigsby from “Rising Damp” was just waiting to come out.  The sets and filming are typical for the time and budget and a strong cast really bring one of the least successful of the Bard’s plays to life.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A clear and watchable version of a difficult play
  

*by G***N on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 August 2015*

This production of King John was intelligently directed, beautifully filmed, wonderfully acted.  It's a hard play, but this production makes sense of the plot and characters and gives the audience people to cheer for.  George Costigan as The Bastard is quite wonderful, and Claire Bloom manages to show the strength as well as the desperation of Constance.  John Thaw, before his Morse days, is a thoughtful and believable Hubert.  Leonard Rossiter makes John as human as possible, showing clearly his weaknesses and follies, while also managing to make the Bastard's loyalty and affection for him seem quite reasonable.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    a good one in a variable series
  

*by K***T on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 March 2020*

The BBC Shakespeare series can be very variable, but this is a really good one - better to view it as a filmed stage production than a film adaptation, as the sets etc. are extremely basic, but this has an excellent cast and the production makes an unfamiliar, and sometimes rather static play lucid and understandable. Leonard Rossiter (King John) John Thaw (Hubert) and George Costigan (the Bastard) are particularly good.

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*Product available on Desertcart Denmark*
*Store origin: DK*
*Last updated: 2026-02-24*