Ian Perry

I’ve never seen a truly satisfying version of this play. It’s one of the few plays of Shakespeare (or any playwright perhaps) which I personally feel is better to read than see performed, as the poetry and language are superb. This version changed my mind! Elizabeth I may have claimed she is Richard II, but for me Ben Whishaw IS Richard II. The cinematography and visuals are stunning, support performances excellent, but Whishaw is riveting and makes the play live like it never has for me before. Oscar performance.