SHAKESPEARE PLAYS, THE: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (TV)
Summary
One in this series of BBC productions of the plays of William Shakespeare. Jonathan Miller introduces this "problem" play as an enigmatic and appealing story set in 1603. In Act I, the proud Bertram, son of the Countess of Rousillon, leaves for court to become a ward of the King. Helena, in love with Bertram, follows, taking with her a cure for the ailing King. In Act II, Helena cures the King and is promised a husband of her choosing. Helena decides on Bertram, who objects strongly. Bertram goes to fight in Florence accompanied by Parolles. Later, Helena receives word from Bertram that she must first get his ring and be with his child before they can wed. Disguised, Helena travels to Florence and learns that Bertram is wooing Diana. The two women plot to dupe Bertram. Later, Parolles is revealed as a coward, and Helena, disguised as Diana, gets Bertram's ring in exchange for her own. Bertram receives word that Helena is dead, returns to Rousillon, and makes plans to wed Lafeu's daughter. In Act V, the King, at Rousillon, recognizes Helena's ring on Bertram, believes him guilty of murder, and orders his arrest. Diana enters, accuses Bertram of seduction, and is sentenced to imprisonment as well. The entrance of the pregnant Helena, who had taken Diana's place the night the rings were exchanged, ends the confusion.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: May 18, 1981 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:25:58
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T81:0487
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1979-1985
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jac Venza … Executive Producer
- Sam Paul … Series Producer
- Elijah Moshinsky … Director
- William Shakespeare … Writer
- Stephen Oliver … Music by
- Marcus Dodds … Conductor
- Jonathan Miller … Host
- Celia Johnson … Cast, Countess of Rousillon
- Ian Charleson … Cast, Bertram
- Michael Hordern … Cast, Lafeu
- Angela Down … Cast, Helena
- Peter Jeffrey … Cast, Parolles
- Kevin Stoney … Cast, Countess' Steward
- Donald Sinden … Cast, the King of France
- Robert Lindsay … Cast, First French Lord
- Dominic Jephcott … Cast, Second French Lord
- Paul Brooke … Cast, Lavache
- James Simmons … Cast, Bachelor
- John Segal … Cast, Bachelor
- Peter Sands … Cast, Bachelor
- Yves Albert … Cast, Bachelor
- Terence McGinity … Cast, First Gentleman
- Max Arthur … Cast, Second Gentleman
- Rosemary Leach … Cast, Widow of Florence
- Pippa Guard … Cast, Diana
- Joolia Cappleman … Cast, Mariana
- Nickolas Grace … Cast, The Soldier
- Valentine Dyall … Cast, The Astringer