King Richard II: The Plays Of William Shakespeare (1983) Rating: Starring: David Birney, Paul Shenar, Peter Mclean, Mary-Joan Negro Director: William Woodman Category: Drama, Classics, Classics Studio: Kultur Subtitles: [None] Length: 172 mins     The tragedy of a self-centered king whose evil ways cause his own destruction. Unfamiliar English accents, so prevalent in most Shakespearean productions, are absent from this series.English and drama teachers, as well as the typical playgoer, will find this feature of tremendous value.Shakespeare's own language is preserved; clarity of both language and story is achieved. Richard II, a history based partially on The Chronicles by English Historian Raphael Holinshed, is the saga of King Richard and his self-defeat.The king not only has enemies to fend off in Ireland, but makes an enemy of Bolingbroke, his own cousin, by seizing his property.Bolingbroke, along with an army of discontented English noblemen, rebels and triumphs over Richard.Richard surrenders his crown and is immediately imprisoned. Bolingbroke is crowned Henry IV and, through a misunderstanding, Richard is murdered in prison.