I’m reading Stella Adler’s book on classical playwrights and realized that I really wasn’t that familiar with Henrik Ibsen’s work. In college we read Enemy of the People and Hedda Gabler, but that is the extent of my knowledge. When I saw this BBC box set of Ibsen plays, I bought it. Ingrid Bergman and Michael Redgrave bring Hedda Gabler alive, Judi Dench and Michael Gambon are great in Ghosts, Anthony Hopkins and Diana Rigg scintillate in Little Eyolf, Denholm Elliot is brilliant in The Wild Duck, Sir Donald Wolfitt and Leo McKern are extraordinary in The Master Builder. DVD EXTRAS include eight radio plays of The Pretenders, Peer Gynt, Emperor and Galilean, The Pillars of Society, Rosmersholm, A Meeting in Rome, John Gabriel Borkman, and When We Dead Awaken. This is a fabulous set! GRADE: A
Sounds impressive…but no A DOLL HOUSE (usually mistranslated as A DOLL’S HOUSE)? I’m always game for radio-drama “extras” (such as on the Criterion THE KILLERS set…the early amateur silent version is also a plus, atop the tv version that was Too Violent as when Raygun is roughing up Angie Dickinson’s character). I shall have to look into this one…thanks!
Todd, I was surprised that A DOLL HOUSE was not included in this collection, too. But, there are plenty of performances on DVD so maybe that’s why the producers opted for more obscure Ibsen plays.
Nice collection, though I’m not a big Ibsen fan. We have seen A DOLL’S HOUSE in the early 1970’s with Claire Bloom. Also saw HEDDA in London, I believe.
I’m not a big Ibsen fan, either, Jeff. But I want to understand what Stella Adler is saying about Ibsen in her book so I felt the need to familiarize myself with his plays.
I studied quite a bit of Ibsen’s work in a drama course I took. Interesting but not something I’d turn to for a pick-me-up. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to revisit his work.
There’s no doubt Ibsen’s work is dark, Beth. But I want to grasp what Stella Adler has to say about Ibsen and his work so I figured watching these well-done productions would do the trick.
I’ve seen A DOLL HOUSE, HEDDA GABLER, THE MASTER BUILDER but have never read the plays. Not a big Ibsen fan either. Always impressed with your book choices, George.
I think you’ll like what I have to say about Stella Adler’s book on classic playwrights, Patti. That’s coming up in a week or two.
No Beth, “pick me up” and Ibsen definitely do NOT go together!
I have read a few of the plays.
Ibsen was ground-breaking for his time, Jeff. Today, his plays don’t move audiences like they used to.
But then again, compared to Strindberg he is not that heavy. We saw THE DANCE OF DEATH with Robert Shaw and Zoe Caldwell in 1974. Wow – that was intense.
I watched MISS JULIE, Jeff. Strinberg was a sick dude.
I did a scene from Enemy of the People for drama class in college. Casting against type, I played the mean brother.
Casting against type, Bob!
I have read some, in college and frankly that was enough. However, seeing Sir Donald Wolfitt and Leo McKern together in The Master Builder might be worth the price of the set.
You would appreciate Wolfitt and McKern, Rick.
HEDDA GABLER is one of my very favorite plays. I saw it on pbs years ago with Glenda Jackson who was spectacular. I admit though, except for A DOLL’S HOUSE, I’m not all that familiar with Ibsen. Except that I know his plays are not full of hilarity. 🙂
Yvette, I envy your seeing Glenda Jackson as HEDDA GABLER! Glenda Jackson is one of my very favorite actresses. You would also appreciate A DOLL’S HOUSE which is a very powerful play.
Hello, This may seem rater late in the day but does the DVD set include “Brand” with Patrick McGoohan? I have no doubt this DVD is no longer easily available. However, if McGoohan’s “Brand” is in there I will try and track it down. Regards Mark Adams
Mark, the AMAZON description of this box set says: “The blazing eyes of Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner) drive the title character of Brand, a clergyman who destroys his own life through inflexible rectitude.” Start searching!