Hero, The

Synopsis
First episode of a nine-part BBC television series comprising three of Shakespeare’s Roman plays - Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra. This episode covers the first Act of Coriolanus.
Series
Spread of the Eagle, The
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Recording date
25 Jan 1963
Transmission details
3 May 1963 at 21:25 (Channel: BBC)
Duration
50 mins

Credits

Director
Peter Dews
Producer
Peter Dews
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Christopher Whelen
Costume
Elizabeth Agombar
Art Direction
Clifford Hatts
Cast
Robert HardyCaius Martius Coriolanus
Beatrix LehmannVolumnia
Jerome WillisTullus Aufidius
Roland CulverMenenius Agrippa
Noel JohnsonCominius
Barry Jackson 
Ben HarteRoman Soldier (Soldier)
Bernard Finch 
Bernard LloydCitizen
Caroline Stephens 
Charles LaurenceRoman Lieutenant (Lieutenant)
David King (2)Volscian Senator (Senator (Volscian))
David WestonRoman Soldier (Soldier)
Frank PettingellJunius Brutus
Geoffrey HinsliffRoman Soldier (Soldier)
Hilary WrightGentlewoman
Hugh DicksonAediles
Jennifer DanielVirgilia
John BarcroftLieutenant to Aufidius (Lieutenant)
John Gay 
John GreenwoodMessenger
Leonard CracknellRoman Soldier (Soldier)
Marion Desmond 
Mary SteeleValeria
Maurice ColbourneSenator
Michael Graham CoxCitizen
Pamela Craig 
Paul BaileyCitizen
Paul Harris (2)Volscian Senator (Senator (Volscian))
Paul Webster 
Peter JeffreySicinius Velutus
Raymond ClarkeRoman Soldier (Soldier)
Roger CroucherTitus Lartius
Roy HerrickMessenger
Terry WaleCitizen
Wendy Varnals 

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Coriolanus
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items
Alliance, The
Matter of Spreadeagling, A
Monument, The
Outcast, The
Serpent, The
Voices, The

Notes

General
The title for the series, according to director Peter Dews, alludes to the Roman eagle, "aloof, golden, and cruel" (Radio Times, 25 April 1963: 49).
With a cast of 76 actors, the entire production incurred expenses of more than £9.000.
Figures
Reaction Index 62 (BBC Audience Research). The Reaction Index is a measurement of the quality
and success of the programme with the audience who had watched it. It is based on a range of 0 to 100.)
Reviews
`Continuity Problem of New B.B.C. Shakespeare Series’, The Times, 4 May 1963: 5.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7255 1444
Fax
020 7436 0165
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Hero, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av36666 (Accessed 05 Dec 2024)