Richard II (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1978, Richard II is a drama and history film directed by David Giles, running about 157 minutes.
What it’s about. Richard II, who ascended the throne as a child, is a regal and stately monarch. He believes he is the rightful ruler of England, ordained by God, yet he is a weak and ineffective king - wasteful in his spending habits, unwise in his choise of chansellors, and detached from his country and its people. When he seizes the land of his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, both the commoners and the barons decide that their king has gone too far...
Who’s in it. Richard II stars Derek Jacobi as King Richard II, Jon Finch as Henry Bolingbroke, John Gielgud as John of Gaunt and Charles Gray as Duke of York, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Richard II has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Britbox Apple TV Channel . See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Richard II page.
If you liked it. Fans of Richard II tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Richard II (1978)?
- In US, Richard II is available to stream on Britbox Apple TV Channel . Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Richard II worth watching?
- Richard II holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Richard II?
- Richard II stars Derek Jacobi, Jon Finch, John Gielgud, Charles Gray and Wendy Hiller.
- When was Richard II released?
- Richard II was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 157 minutes.