Koriolan

This BBC television adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Coriolanus' follows the story of a proud and volatile Roman general, Caius Marcius Coriolanus. His arrogance and disdain for the common people lead to his banishment from Rome, after which he allies himself with his sworn enemy, the Volscian general Tullus Aufidius, to seek revenge on the city that rejected him. The play culminates in Coriolanus's tragic downfall, brought about by his own unyielding nature and the machinations of others.

As a television adaptation of a Shakespearean play, 'Coriolanus' (1968) was primarily appreciated for its faithful rendition of the text and strong performances, particularly from its lead actors. It is often viewed as a significant contribution to the canon of BBC Shakespeare productions, celebrated for bringing classical theatre to a wider audience through the medium of television.

• Praised for its powerful performances, especially Ian Richardson's portrayal of Coriolanus.

• Applauded for its adherence to Shakespeare's original text and dramatic structure.

• Recognized as a well-executed television adaptation of a challenging tragedy.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1968 television adaptation is not readily available. However, audiences familiar with Shakespeare and BBC productions typically value faithful adaptations and strong theatrical performances.

This production was part of the BBC's ambitious project to adapt all of Shakespeare's plays for television, a monumental undertaking that aired between 1978 and 1985, though this specific Coriolanus was produced earlier.