Don't bother looking up Prince John in any major reference works. There won't be much, if anything. A pity - I would have liked to check up on how accurate this is!
Not that it matters much. In part one, we see the epileptic (and possibly autistic) John consigned to a life in the country so that his Royal relatives will not be embarrassed by his suffering an attack in public. In part two, he fades rather into the background as Britain deals with the effects and consequences of World War One.
Sound gloomy? Don't you believe it. In the first part, the viewer experiences exhilaration as we see John actually make progress in spite of everything. The scene where he pretends to conduct the band at a state event is particularly uplifting. Even the far darker part two has its moments.
An excellent cast helps a lot. Miranda Richardson shines as the emotionally constipated Queen Mary while Matthew Thomas creates a plausible and likable John. The relationship between him and his older brother George (Rollo Weeks) is engrossing and credible. Gina McKee is rock solid as John's devoted nurse.
As always with BBC dramas, the production values are excellent. Costumes and sets are well used, though the music is distinctly unmemorable and the pace pedestrian.
In the end, maybe the story is a little thin to support a drama of this length. But if that doesn't bother you, this is a rewarding and surprisingly positive viewing experience.
Rating: 7/10.
Not that it matters much. In part one, we see the epileptic (and possibly autistic) John consigned to a life in the country so that his Royal relatives will not be embarrassed by his suffering an attack in public. In part two, he fades rather into the background as Britain deals with the effects and consequences of World War One.
Sound gloomy? Don't you believe it. In the first part, the viewer experiences exhilaration as we see John actually make progress in spite of everything. The scene where he pretends to conduct the band at a state event is particularly uplifting. Even the far darker part two has its moments.
An excellent cast helps a lot. Miranda Richardson shines as the emotionally constipated Queen Mary while Matthew Thomas creates a plausible and likable John. The relationship between him and his older brother George (Rollo Weeks) is engrossing and credible. Gina McKee is rock solid as John's devoted nurse.
As always with BBC dramas, the production values are excellent. Costumes and sets are well used, though the music is distinctly unmemorable and the pace pedestrian.
In the end, maybe the story is a little thin to support a drama of this length. But if that doesn't bother you, this is a rewarding and surprisingly positive viewing experience.
Rating: 7/10.