The Hollow Crown: Richard II
Year: 1000
Runtime: 149 mins
Director: Rupert Goold
Richard II attempts to settle a dispute between his cousins Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray, calling a duel that he abruptly stops, exiling both men. He meets the dying John of Gaunt, who rebukes the king, then seizes Gaunt’s wealth and marches to war in Ireland. Bolingbroke returns, allies with Northumberland and the Duke of York, captures Richard and claims the throne.
The Hollow Crown: Richard II (1000) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
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In the regal halls of medieval England, power is as fragile as the crown that rests upon a king’s head. Richard II presides over a court steeped in ceremony, where every gesture carries the weight of lineage and every whisper hints at ambition. The kingdom’s grandeur is matched only by the undercurrents of dissent that swirl through its corridors, creating a tense atmosphere that feels both timeless and palpably immediate.
When a contentious dispute erupts between two of the king’s own kin, the stakes rise dramatically. Henry Bolting and Thomas Mowbray—cousins bound by blood yet divided by rivalry—are drawn into a confrontation that threatens to split the realm. Their clash is set for a formal duel, a spectacle meant to resolve honor, but the monarch’s unexpected intervention forces a sudden shift, leading to a harsh decree of exile for both men. The decision reverberates through the court, underscoring the delicate balance between authority and mercy.
Amid the political turbulence, the ailing John of Gaunt arrives, his presence a stark reminder of the kingdom’s past glories and present vulnerabilities. His candid rebuke of the king’s choices exposes the fissures between tradition and the monarch’s ambitions. As Richard contemplates seizing Gaunt’s extensive holdings to fund a campaign in restless Ireland, the very foundations of his rule begin to tremble under the weight of looming conflict and the allure of wealth.
Beyond the borders of England, loyalties are tested and alliances form in the shadows. Figures such as Northumberland and the Duke of York watch the unfolding drama with measured interest, their own positions poised for change. When Henry returns, he finds new companions ready to support his claim, hinting at a transformative shift in the balance of power that could reshape the kingdom’s future.
Last Updated: August 20, 2025 at 17:51
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Movies about a leader's tragic downfall like The Hollow Crown: Richard II
Witness the inevitable and profound collapse of a person in power.If you liked watching the tragic fall of King Richard II, explore more movies like The Hollow Crown: Richard II that depict the inevitable downfall of rulers and leaders. These similar historical dramas and character studies focus on themes of power, betrayal, and the heavy emotional weight of losing a crown.
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The Hollow Crown: Richard II
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Narratives in this thread typically follow a linear descent, charting a leader's loss of power, identity, and often life. The journey is marked by pivotal moments of betrayal, poor judgment, and the realization of their own mortality or fallibility, creating a sense of grim inevitability.
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Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the melancholic and heavy experience of a leader's collapse. They share a bleak tone, steady pacing that builds toward an inescapable conclusion, and intense political or personal stakes that make the downfall feel both tragic and profound.
Somber political drama movies like The Hollow Crown: Richard II
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Narrative Summary
These narratives unfold through complex webs of allegiance and deception, where dialogue and strategy replace physical action. The plot revolves around a central struggle for control, often depicting the personal cost of ambition and the cold, calculated nature of maintaining or seizing power.
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These films share a specific mix of high intensity from political tension, a steady and deliberate pacing that allows for strategic depth, and a uniformly melancholic or bleak tone. The focus on honor, duty, and betrayal within a formal power structure creates a coherent, solemn vibe.
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