J. Hoberman of the NYT has published an article on the DVD release of the historia An Age of Kings program, based on Shakespeare’s History plays, first broadcast in 1961 and starring such (now) famous actors as Judi Dench and Sean Connery as (!) Hotspur.

Says Hoberman:

A 15-part chronicle that drew upon “Richard II,” the two-part “Henry IV,” “Henry V,” the seldom staged three-part “Henry VI” and “Richard III,” the project was conceived by Peter Dews, a 30-year-old stage director and former schoolmaster, who persuaded the BBC to embark upon its first extended Shakespeare series. Mr. Dews’s production would be additionally remarkable for being broadcast live, with a continuing cast of young, largely unknown players, including Sean Connery as the fiery Hotspur, Robert Hardy (known these days as Harry Potter’s minister of magic, Cornelius Fudge) as Prince Hal and Judi Dench in the role of his flirtatious future bride, Katherine of France.

Click here to read the rest of the article.