The production budget is almost up to the challenge. Some of the costumes--especially of the French court--look cheap. But there’s such a delight in seeing such a gifted ensemble deliver lines that still resonate.
A lesser known, and unloved Shakespeare play (which, incidentally, had other co-authors) comes to life Sunday, but the better plays air over the next couple weeks.
[Director and co-writer Dominic Cooke] does a good job of supporting the story, working in an economical epic style--shooting in fields and forests and big medieval spaces, but with the crowds and pageantry dialed down--that keeps the action human and underscores the idea that this stretch of history boiled down to a family feud.