Laurence Olivier Shakespeare Collection

Box set featuring six Shakespeare adaptations starring legendary actor Laurence Olivier. In 'King Lear' 1983, the ageing King Lear Olivier decides to split his kingdom between three daughters - Regan, Cordelia and Goneril - with each receiving a share appropriate to the amount of love they feel for him. However, when the faithful Cordelia refuses to protest her devotion, an enraged Lear foolishly cedes complete control to the devious remaining siblings - with terrible results. In 'Henry V' 1944, the young king Olivier puts his rakish past behind him and rallies his men to invade France, winning against the enemy's superior numbers. The film was shot in Ireland to avoid the constant bombardment of the Blitz and Olivier was discharged from the Navy to make the film. In 'Hamlet' 1948, Hamlet Olivier, Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's Eileen Herlie subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius Basil Sydney, who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. In 'The Merchant of Venice' 1974, Jewish moneylender Shylock Olivier provides young Antonio Anthony Nichols with a loan, stating that if it is not repaid he will claim a pound of flesh. When Antonio's bond defaults, Shylock attempts to claim his grisly co
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