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The first part of An Age of Kings was shown on 28 April 1960. The series was the most ambitious Shakespeare cycle yet attempted on stage or screen, presenting eight of the playwright’s history plays in fifteen parts, covering the period 1377 to 1485.

Starting with Richard II, they then followed through Henry IV parts one and two, Henry V, the three parts of Henry VI and climaxed with the death of Richard III on Bosworth Field. The prestige of the undertaking was underlined by the theme music, written by Sir Arthur Bliss, the Master of the Queen’s Music.

The plays were directed by Michael Hayes and featured a large cast who had the luxury of a 30 week rehearsal schedule before filming began. Among the six hundred speaking parts was an unknown Sean Connery – two years before Bond – and a young Judi Dench as Princess Katherine.

Shakespeare has continued to be well represented on the 大象传媒. Between 1978 and 1985 The 大象传媒 staged all of Shakespeare's plays in the 大象传媒 Television Shakespeare project. In 2012 the 大象传媒 returned to the history plays with the first half of a fresh adaptation, The Hollow Crown. The second part of the cycle in 2016 saw the return of Dame Judi Dench, playing the Duchess of York.