Edward II

My main attraction to watching Edward II, not including my love for literature, was Ian McKellen. And he is superb here, passionate and very spontaneous. Plus there are few performances of his where he has been more handsome. James Laurenson is also outstanding, very nuanced, while the support cast of Timothy West and Diane Fletcher are also on their level. There is a memorable turn towards the end by Robert Eddison. The dialogue I can't fault and it is delivered with great feeling and intensity by all, and the story is well measured in pace and gives the love between Edward and Gaveston a certain depth. The production values are fine, the settings are appropriately regal and the costumes at least don't look drab. The filming is very good. Overall, helped hugely by the performances this is Christopher Marlowe done perfectly, highly recommended. 10/10 Bethany Cox