Richard the Second is regarded by many critics, including best-selling author Harold Bloom, as one of Shakespeare's most lyrical plays. Shakespeare biographer Park Honan describes it as a proto-type for Hamlet, the inward-looking prince. It is also one of Shakespeare's least produced plays, never having been filmed as a feature (although there have been celebrated video productions in Britain), and presenting a rare opportunity for an indie production team.

Forming an irresistible backdrop to the story for filmmakers Joseph Erickson and John Farrell, was the deserted old Civil-War fort on Long Island in Boston Harbor, a haunted place of empty halls, subterranean dungeons and high towers overgrown with trees and growth, a romantic, beautiful location for the setting of a tale describing the fall and redemption of an indecisive king.

The production features Matte Osian (Conspiracy Theory, Twelfth Night), Kadina Delejalde (Indictment), Deb Snyder (Ang Lee's Pushing Hands), Tom Turbiville (Remember the Titans), Ellen Zachos (Law & Order), and Neil Tadken (General Hospital) among its talented cast.

Shooting Richard the Second posed a number of challenges, not least of which is the fact that Long Island is smack in the middle of Boston Harbor, and on some days, depending on the wind direction, the main marker for air traffic lining up to land at Logan Airport—a circumstance that tested the patience of the sound crew on many days of the two-week shoot. An added difficulty for some of the dungeon scenes was the complete lack of electricity at the fort. This necessitated the use of torch light which, however atmospheric, required extra care and on one occasion almost led to an accidental brush fire.

Running Time: 97 mins.

Produced by Joseph Erickson / Directed by John Farrell

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