The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 16, 2016

Arriving in 2012 to rave reviews, the BBC series “The Hollow Crown” was intended to bring the works of William Shakespeare to a new audience, using the power of name actors to juice up a cycle of films that explored the dramatic highs and lows of royal power and madness. For “The Wars of the Roses,” the production returns to the formula, staging “Henry VI, Part 1” (116:18), “Henry VI, Part II” (128:13), and “Richard III” (134:19) with a cast of Shakespeare devotees and industry veterans, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville, and Sally Hawkins.

What’s immediately compelling about “The Wars of the Roses” is how the production (under the direction of Dominic Cooke) manages to streamline the three plays into one major narrative endeavor. It never dilutes the original work, instead finding ways to connect acts of treachery and murder in a fluid manner, giving the efforts a sense of dramatic advancement often absent in other adaptations. “The Wars of the Roses” has unusual momentum, building on this series of betrayals, often with fitting ferocity, finding Cooke doing what he can to bring swordplay, public execution, and backstabbing to the small screen, working with production values that rival cinematic endeavors.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation captures the grime and beauty of the period, offering a crisp and detailed viewing experience. Textures are valued here, emerging from ornate costuming and castle locations, giving fans a chance to study the artistic triumphs of the show. Colors are secure, most notable with royal attire and greenery. Skintones are spot-on. Delineation has its challenges, showing some solidification during scenes with limited lighting.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries the mood of the show to satisfaction, leading with strong, detailed dialogue exchanges, where every syllable is emphasized and understood. Scoring is supportive, maintaining dramatic urgency without steamrolling over performances. Surrounds are pleasantly active, pushing out outdoor encounters and castle echo, also offering some panning activity during violent skirmishes.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1

• Deleted Scenes are provided for "Henry VI, Part I" (2:34, HD) and "Henry VI, Part II" (2:45, HD).

Disc 2

• Making Of (28:11, HD) walks viewers through the development of the series, paying specific attention to director Dominic Cooke, who makes the leap from stage to screen with his first film endeavor. Also discussed are the trials of the adaptation process, with the production trying to secure a modern energy to ancient text.

• Deleted Scenes are provided for "Richard III" (2:18, HD).

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Wars of the Roses" is a long sit, meant to be absorbed one history play at a time, but there's such propulsive energy to the production, it feels like one complete epic. Helping matters is the cast, who bring complete concentration to the work, with most, like Sophie Okonedo (as Queen Margaret), sinking their teeth into these iconic roles, working hard to bruise the material. Shakespeare fans should be delighted with "The Wars of the Roses," but that it remains accessible to a larger audience is the real achievement here.