Box set featuring six Shakespeare adaptations starring legendary actor Laurence Olivier. In 'King Lear' (1983), the ageing King Lear (Olivier) decides to split his kingdom between three daughters - Regan, Cordelia and Goneril - with each receiving a share appropriate to the amount of love they feel for him. However, when the faithful Cordelia refuses to protest her devotion, an enraged Lear foolishly cedes complete control to the devious remaining siblings - with terrible results. In 'Henry V' (1944), the young king (Olivier) puts his rakish past behind him and rallies his men to invade France, winning against the enemy's superior numbers. The film was shot in Ireland to avoid the constant bombardment of the Blitz and Olivier was discharged from the Navy to make the film. In 'Hamlet' (1948), Hamlet (Olivier), Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's (Eileen Herlie) subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius (Basil Sydney), who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. In 'The Merchant of Venice' (1974), Jewish moneylender Shylock (Olivier) provides young Antonio (Anthony Nichols) with a loan, stating that if it is not repaid he will claim a pound of flesh. When Antonio's bond defaults, Shylock attempts to claim his grisly compensation in a court of law, but Portia (Joan Plowright) pleads Antonio's case. In 'Richard III' (1955), Olivier stars as the cold and calculating king, a treacherous and untrustworthy fellow who makes plans to kill anyone who threatens his position. Henry Stafford (Ralph Richardson), the Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud) and Lady Anne Neville (Claire Bloom) are just some of those moving in his orbit. 'As You Like It' (1936) was filmed in England in 1936 when Olivier was still considered a promising young actor rather than one of the finest thespians ever, as he would later become, this is his first filmed Shakespeare performance and thus a milestone in film history.

1960s drama starring Peter Finch as a parliamentary MP whose thirst for greater power leads him into political intrigue. Johnnie Byrne (Finch) is a Labour MP who aspires to the big-time. His hopes are raised when his party triumphs in a general election, but Johnnie is overlooked for a role on the front benches. To top it off, his wife (Rosalie Crutchley) has just left him and balancing two mistresses, including the youthful Pauline (Mary Peach), is proving difficult. When Johnny is approached by a couple of fellow backbenchers for help in a scheme that may destabilise the government but advance their careers, Johnny is faced with an important choice...

1930s British comedy from director Bernard Vorhaus and producer Joe Rock. Rival factory owners Sam (Stanley Holloway) and Bill (Will Fyffe) try to work together in order to obtain a big contract. The situation is further complicated when Sam's son Jack (Jimmy Hanley) and Bill's niece Joan (Mary Lawson) become romantically involved.

1950s British drama following a group of London pub darts players on a day trip to France. The members of the group have various interests to pursue in France. While some are going just for the darts, one man plans to buy cheap watches and smuggle them back to Britain for a profit. Jim Carver (Donald) has a more sombre intention. Having fought in France during the war, he heads to a nearby cemetery to pay his respects to a fallen comrade. Along the way he bumps into Martine (Odile Versois), a Frenchwoman he used to know. Love blossoms, but Jim and his fellow darts players have a boat to catch...

Laurence Olivier directs and stars in this adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. Hamlet (Olivier), Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's (Eileen Herlie) subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius (Basil Sydney), who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. The film won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Olivier (who was also nominated for Best Director) and Best Film.

Classic drama starring Celia Johnson as a married woman whose life is thrown into turmoil when she unexpectedly falls in love with a stranger. Laura Jesson (Johnson) appears to be the very embodiment of a respectable, happily-married British housewife and mother. Equally, the man who comes to her assistance when a passing train blows grit into her eye, Dr Alec Harvey (Trevor Howard), enjoys a settled and comfortable life. Neither of the pair are prepared for the emotions the encounter will evoke in them. Unable to forget each other, they begin meeting covertly in the railway cafe. Given that both are married with children, pursuing a romantic relationship seems impossible, but will the power of their love overwhelm all other concerns?