The Divine Comedy

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Classic Serial

Drama: Classic & Period

Adaptations of works which have achieved classic status

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

Blake Ritson

John Hurt

David Warner

Sam Dale

Michael Bertenshaw

Priyanga Burford

David Cann

Clive Hayward

Steve Toussaint

Cassie Layton

Emma Harding

Marc Beeby

Stephen Wyatt

Dante Alighieri

Classic Serial: Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy: 1. Inferno

Drama

1. Inferno

Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy

BBC Radio 4 - Classic Serial, Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy, 1. Inferno

Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood in extreme personal and spiritual crisis.

One man's incredible journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. Dramatisation of Dante's epic poem. Starring John Hurt.

Blake Ritson, David Warner and John Hurt star in Stephen Wyatt's dramatisation of Dante's epic poem - the story of one man's incredible journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.

Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita
mi ritrovai per una selva oscura,
ché la diritta via era smarrita.

In Episode 1: Inferno, the thirty-five year old Dante (Blake Ritson) finds himself in the middle of a dark wood, in extreme personal and spiritual crisis. But hope of rescue appears in the form of the venerable poet Virgil (David Warner), now a shade himself, who offers to lead Dante on an odyssey through the afterlife, that begins in the terrifying depths of Hell. 

Many years later, the older Dante (John Hurt), still in enforced exile from his beloved Florence, attempts to finish his great poem and reflects on the events that have led him to its writing. 

Dante the Poet .... Blake Ritson
Older Dante .... John Hurt
Virgil .... David Warner
Ulysees/Giant .... Sam Dale 
Charon/Pope Nicholas III .... Michael Bertenshaw 
Francesca da Rimini .... Priyanga Burford 
Count Ugolino .... David Cann 
Tree/ Adam .... Clive Hayward 
Vanni Fucci .... Steve Touissaint 
Angel .... Cassie Layton

All other parts are played by members of the company

The Divine Comedy is dramatised by Stephen Wyatt

Sound design is by Cal Knightley

Directed by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.

Classic Serial: Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Dante's extraordinary poem tells of his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.

Blake Ritson, David Warner and John Hurt star in Stephen Wyatt's dramatisation of Dante's epic poem - the story of one man's incredible journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise

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Classic Serial

Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy

1. Inferno

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