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Richard the Lionheart (TV series)

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Richard the Lionheart
Also known asRiccardo Cuor di Leone (Italy)
Richard Löwenherz (West Germany)
GenreAdventure
Family
History
Written byStanley Miller
Paul Tabori
David Nicholl
Mark Grantham
Directed byErnest Morris
StarringDermot Walsh
Robin Hunter
Alan Haywood
Ian Gregory
Sheila Whittingham
Trader Faulkner
Opening theme"Richard the Lionheart"
Ending theme"Richard the Lionheart"
ComposerBill Le Sage
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersEdward J. Danziger
Harry Lee Danziger
CinematographyWalter J. Harvey
EditorsPeter Pitt
John S. Smith
Running time30 minutes
Production companyDanziger Productions Ltd.
Original release
NetworkIndependent Television (ITV) (UK)
Release20 November 1961 (1961-11-20) –
14 October 1965 (1965-10-14)

Richard the Lionheart was a British ITV television series which ran from 1961 to 1963, aimed at younger audiences.[1]

It began with the death of King Henry II, and put forward the traditional view of King Richard the Lionheart as a hero, and his brother Prince John (played by Trader Faulkner) as the villain.

Richard was played by Irish actor Dermot Walsh who said, "he was not always all one would like to see as a man. We have concentrated on his good side." Richard was perhaps a product of his time. A man brimful of contradictions. A brilliant general, but a poor ruler. A sensitive poet and singer.[clarification needed][2]

The producers claimed that the series was based on fact as far as possible; though as little was known of Richard's personal life, "we have taken some liberties here and there," according to associate producer Brian Taylor in a TV Times article indicating the start of the series.[3]

Other regular characters in the series included Sir Gilbert (Robin Hunter), Sir Geoffrey (Alan Haywood), Blondel (Ian Gregory), Leopold of Austria (Francis de Wolff) and Queen Berengaria (Sheila Whittingham).

According to BFI Screenonline "despite the treadmill efforts of the production... this routine swashbuckler, presenting an atmosphere of knightly conduct versus villainous skulduggery, was saved from total tedium by the presence of recurring players Trader Faulkner, a sneering Prince John, and Francis de Wolfe as the delightfully monstrous Leopold of Austria."[4]

A single DVD was released by Stratx Digital Media on 6 June 2016. Although all episodes are thought to survive, the DVD contains only five episodes: "Long Live The King", "School For a King", "Crown In Danger", "The Pirate King" and "The Challenge". The picture quality for the most part is watchable, but the sound at times is flawed.[citation needed]

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ BFI Screenonline: Richard the Lionheart. Accessed 9 March 2014
  2. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2007 (Volume 3). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3305-6.
  3. ^ Thomas Film Classics. "Richard The Lion Heart - Action Adventure". Shop.thomasfilmclassics.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  4. ^ The Danzigers at BFI Screenonline
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