Six Centuries of Verse(1984)

Six Centuries of Verse is a pioneering poetry series hosted by Sir John Gielgud, who guides viewers through English-language verse spanning from the fourteenth century to the modern day. The programme assembles an exceptional ensemble of actors to bring canonical and contemporary poems to life, showcasing the emotional range and stylistic diversity of the form across six centuries. Each episode explores how poets from Chaucer onwards have captured the human experience through language, revealing the enduring power of verse to move and provoke. Gielgud's authoritative presence anchors the series as it traces the evolution of English poetry, from medieval ballads to twentieth-century modernism. The imaginative staging and stellar cast demonstrate why these works have survived and resonated across generations.