"Wagner" (1983) TV series

Director:

Tony Palmer

Writer:

Charles Wood (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

December 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

A huge panorama of Wagner's life and work, from before the 1848 Revolution, through his exile in Switzerland...

Plot Keywords:

Historical | Character Name In Title

Cast

Richard Burton	...	Richard Wagner (3 episodes, 1983)
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Cosima von Bulow (3 episodes, 1983)
László Gálffi	...	King Ludwig II of Bavaria (3 episodes, 1983)
John Gielgud	...	Pfistermeister (3 episodes, 1983)
Ralph Richardson	...	Pfordten (3 episodes, 1983)
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Minister Bär / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
Laurence Olivier	...	Pfeufer (2 episodes, 1983)
Gemma Craven	...	Minna (2 episodes, 1983)

Runtime:

USA:300 min

Country:

UK | Austria | Hungary

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Hungarofilm

Trivia:

This production represents the only time that the three great British theatrical knights, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson all appeared together on screen. As their characters appear to be fictional, and all have names which begin with "Pf", this does not appear to be fortuitous casting, but a deliberate whim of the director. The three knights were all in the casts of Richard III (1955) and Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), but they were never together on screen at the same time in those films.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Ludwig is wading into the water to drown himself, automobiles are seen driving on a highway on the far shore.

What a magnificent film!

What can say about this epic apart from the word, 'Magnificent'. To see such great actors in one film is really quite extraordinary. This is the only time Gielgud, Richardson and Olivier ever acted together on film. To see this is sheer heaven in its brilliance. The world is a sadder places without these geniuses. In the lead is Richard Burton who is really a magnificent Wagner. The young actor who plays Ludwig II is also wonderful. Vanessa Redgrave as Cosima is really superb as is Joan Plowright and many, many other performers such as Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Gemma Craven and the beautiful Martha Keller. Sit back and let it all wash over you. The creation of period is absolutely sensational as is the sheer beauty of Germany and Switzerland and other places. This is truly a glittering gem and should be screened more often.