BBC Shakespeare Collection: King Lear

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought acclaimed performances from leading contemporary actors.

When King Lear rejects his most devoted daughter Cordelia because she refuses to patronise him with hollow sentiments, he embarks on a journey into humiliation, loneliness and eventually madness. In what is widely regarded as Shakespeare's greatest creative achievement, a story of family conflict ultimately reveals the bare futility of the human condition.

Director Jonathan Miller has had so many triumphs with this great Shakespearian tragedy that his name is now synonymous with the play. In this renowned version, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Michael Hordern gave a remarkable performance in the lead role.