Choosing a definitive collection of Shakespeare for home video would be a fool's errand even if there weren't hundreds of adaptations to choose from. One of the great theatrical sports, after all, is comparing one actor's Lear, Richard III or Hamlet to another's.

That admitted, "Olivier's Shakespeare" (The Criterion Collection, $79.95) would be a good place for any Shakespeare enthusiast — or movie enthusiast — to begin. It contains the three adaptations directed by Laurence Olivier: the 1944 film usually referred to as "Henry V" but whose actual release title is "The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fifth With His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France"; the 1948 "Hamlet"; and 1955's "Richard III."

All the titles previously have been available individually. With the films newly restored and the box selling discounted in the range of $60, it's like getting one of the films free.

Shakespeare purists might argue that Olivier's "Hamlet" should be the freebie, as it technically covers only half the play about the Danish prince and his father issues. Gone are great chunks of subplots and even the relatively minor yet beloved characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Yet Olivier's "Hamlet" was widely praised when it was originally released and was the first non-American film to win the Academy Award for best picture. Olivier also won best actor.

Otto Heller was the cinematographer on "Richard III," and his Technicolor is as vibrant and fluid as "Hamlet" cinematographer Desmond Dickenson's black-and-white is muted and still.

Criterion did a remarkable job of reconstructing a film that had been shown in various ratios and at various lengths.

For those who find Shakespeare's language and the English accents difficult to ease into, an English subtitle option will be greatly appreciated. There's also an Olivier interview conducted by the theater critic and essayist Kenneth Tynan.

The most celebrated of Olivier's Shakespeare efforts has always been "Henry V," which begins as a performance of the play at the Globe, circa 1600, then slowly segues into a comparatively naturalistic telling of the tale of Hal's campaign to claim the French throne.

Although the Agincourt battle is not as realistically bloody as in Kenneth Branagh's 1989 version, it is still thrilling, as is Olivier's rousing speech to his troops.

Again, the Criterion restoration is gorgeous, though the only extra of consequence is a chronology of who ruled Britain, and how each ruler fared.

Also released this week:

With its plot posing serious questions about terrorism and patriotism, "V for Vendetta" looked to stir up controversy when it was released theatrically this spring, but it was hashed over on political blogs more than it was actually seen.

Who knows if the current climate of tension will spur interest for the DVD release (3 stars, $34.98)? But Warner Bros. has certainly given the drama, based on a series of graphic novels, first-tier treatment.

It's a two-DVD affair in a handsome slipcase, with the first disc given to the good-looking movie, directed by James McTeigue and starring Natalie Portman as a young woman struggling to survive in a fascist Britain of the future. Hugo Weaving is the mystery man in the Guy Fawkes mask.

A making-of documentary is also included on Disc 1.

Disc 2 contains a look at the film's impressive production design.