Directed for the Stage By: Tim Carroll
Produced and Directed for Film By: Barry Avrich
Cast: Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Graham Abbey, Patricia Collins
Swift shot: In all my travels as a performing artist, King John has never crossed my path. I have seen many adaptations of Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. And, of course, Hamlet 2, but no one has ever asked me, “Have you seen King John?” Now I know why. He’s a royal shit! But, I am glad to have been given the opportunity to screen King John on this, the 800th anniversary year of the signing of The Magna Carta, a document of which I am quite familiar. While this was a stage performance, you may watch it at one of your local movie theaters!
The Stratford Festival performed this filmed version at Stratford, in a real theatre, not a theater, in which I am more accustomed to sitting. And, the film is not a movie, rather it is the live stage performance filmed for your convenience. It’s very difficult to translate stage to screen. To whit, Barry Avrich does a fabulous job capturing all the requisite moments brilliantly, particularly Philip The Bastard’s performance by the incredibly affable rogue Graham Abbey. Not only does he command the audience’s attention, he literally at some points, commands the audience play a head role.
King John is probably best known to most Western film audiences as the hated Price John, a villain in many Robin Hood adaptations, and the scoundrel’s reflection of King Richard, the Lionheart. My favorite Prince John is, of course, Richard Lewis in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. But, John, in this story is now King John (Tom McCamus), having assumed the crown following Richard’s death, presumably at the hand of the Duke of Austria “champion” (Sean Arbuckle). As you might have guessed, John is not well liked by many, and there are challenges to his throne from France. Seems there is an heir that France wants to use to persuade John to give up his crown and land. Thing is, this heir is but a child, a young prince, Arthur (Noah Jalava) who, through no fault of his own, is thrust into a heated blood-feud.
There are factions within England that would love to depose John, because, again, he’s not bloody well liked, and is often psychotic, by today’s standards, especially. But, John has one champion of his own, the Bastard son of King Richard, who he has persuaded to give up land and money in exchange for knighthood and acceptance of his true lineage, Plantagenet. The Bastard, as the Bard seemingly refers to him in the cast, is by far my favorite character. He is proud, boastful, but he can back his talk. He is a man of action, and he isn’t afraid to spill blood to make King John happy. I was left scratching my head a few times with him, as I was identifying with him throughout, but he was a tool for an evil King. Torn, I was, and still am.
The Bastard is trying to persuade both King John and King Philip (of France) to attack Angers, as the men of Angers claim they will only back the one true King. In other words, they aren’t committing to anything until after the dust of war has settled. But, hearing The Bastard’s plea to end the men of Angers, they convince both Kings to marry Louis the Dauphin of France (Antoine Yared) to King John’s line through Blanche of Spain (Jennifer Mogbock). This, they hope, will sate both sides. And, it would have worked, if not for the meddling of the Pope. The Pope’s emissary, Cardinal Pandulph (Brian Tree) is snubbed by King John in favor for someone else, and as he has defied the Pope, he is immediately excommunicated. Now, the King of France has a decision to make, does he end his brand new alliance with King John, or piss off the Pope? See if you can guess what he decides.
Torn in the middle, quite literally is new bride Blanche, as she has to make up her mind, right then, on her wedding day whom she will betray. Because either way, she will betray someone. Ah, love. Speaking of love, remember the prince, Arthur, his mother Constance (Seana McKenna) is constantly lamenting her woes and picking fights with King John’s mother, Eleanor (Patricia Collins). If Constance had her way, Angers would belong to her son, the rightful heir of England. She wants her son to be King, but she is so annoying, that seems to be one thing both King John and King Philip readily agree about.
No spoiler alert here, but war is once again joined between France and England, and John manages to kidnap young Arthur. And this is where you are reminded why he is one of the most hated royals in English literature. King John orders Arthur to be not only executed, but in a most brutal fashion. I won’t divulge anything more on that subject here. Suffice it to say; however, the barons of England get wind of the order and are horrified. Meanwhile, the Dauphin has landed his troops in John’s realm, and is threatening his land. The English barons, disgusted by John’s callous acts and deeds, do the unthinkable. They betray their country! This, as you might guess, doesn’t sit well with The Bastard, who essentially points out they are traitors.
Now France is in England, and John, ever fickle with his allegiances, turns to the Pope and former adversary Cardinal Pandulph to persuade the Dauphin to cease his attacks. And this leads to the play’s conclusion. Therein lies the rub with King John, the conclusion really sucks. I am not sure where the term anti-climactic originated, but I have a hunch it was with King John. The play ends in a most melancholy manner, with The Bastard, presumably learning, something or other about war and diplomacy, or honor over principle.
In the end, the audience and the English, or French, are robbed of any real justice or closure. I guess not every story has a great ending, and maybe that is why I never happened across King John until now. This version was droll at times, and Tom McCamus does a fine job of showing how chaotic John was to be around, as he seemingly has an air of invincibility about him the entire time and a malicious mind coupled with a ruthless heart. So, again, I keep wondering, why is The Bastard so loyal to this man? You’ll have to watch the film to find out and decide for yourself.
