Shakespeare Uncovered portrays the Bard as an impresario who, four centuries ago, defined show business in his day-drawing on historical sources, stealing and adapting ideas, bringing back popular characters, writing prequels, and developing dramatic ideas from the politics of the day. 

In each episode, a major Shakespearean actor or director explores and reveals the extraordinary world and works of William Shakespeare and the still-potent impact they have today. The presenters have spent their lives with Shakespeare's work and relate not only to the stories of the plays themselves, but also how they came to be written, how they have been performed, and how they have survived over 400 years.  Excerpts from the Great Performances Shakespeare series are also included.

Includes Six Programs 
Hamlet – with David Tennant, Jude Law and Simon Russell Beale;
Macbeth – with Ethan Hawke;
Richard II – with Derek Jacobi, Ben Whishaw and Patrick Stewart;  
The Comedies: Twelfth Night and As You Like It – with Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave;
The Histories Henry IV and Henry V – with Jeremy Irons;
The Tempest – with Trevor Nunn and Helen Mirren

360 minutes on 2 Discs.