Richard III starring Ian McKellen,
Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent,
Robert Downey Jr., Nigel Hawthorne
Richard Iii Dvd
This film adaptation of a critically acclaimed stage production of
Shakespeares historical drama stars Ian McKellen in the title role. The
setting is a comic-book vision of 1930s London: part art deco, part Third
Reich, part industrial-age rust and rot. The plays force is turned into a
synthetic high by art directors and storyboard sketchers, all of whom have
a field day condensing the material into disposable pop imagery. This is a
fun film, more than anything, so infatuated with its own monstrous stitchery
that even the most awkward casting (Annette Bening and Robert Downey
Jr.) seems a part of the ridiculous design. McKellen is the best thing about
the movie, his mesmerizing portrayal of freakish despotism and poisoned
desire a thing to behold. Directed by Richard Loncraine (Bellman and
True). --Tom Keogh

Personal Review: Richard III starring Ian McKellen, Annette
Bening, Jim Broadbent, Robert Downey Jr., Nigel Hawthorne
This is a 1995 cut down version of Shakespeare's popular play Richard III.
The condensing of the play and some of the characters was probably not
popular with Shakespearean purists and those who are familiar with, and
love, the full play. The setting has also been changed from the last half of
the 1400's to about the 1930's and the images strongly and deliberately
resemble the nazis of WW2. The ending has also changed. Sir Ian
McKellen's performance is outstanding and the change of the opening line
from a monologue to a speech is brilliantly inspired as is the change of
venue when he talks about King Edward bedding other women. The film's
concept was based on a stage production directed by Richard Eyre for the
Royal National Theatre, which also starred McKellen. The production was
adapted for the screen by McKellen and directed by Richard Loncraine.
The play also stars Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent, Robert Downey Jr.,
Nigel Hawthorne, Kristin Scott Thomas , Dame Maggie Smith, John Wood
and Dominic West. I have nothing bad to say about this version of the
play, other than to state the acting of the two token Americans (Queen
Elizabeth and her merged family members) painfully stands out as being
over the top.
I think this is a brilliantly clever introduction to Richard III. The cutting
down and re-staging the play means it is instantly understandable and
accessible to people who are just starting to expose themselves to
Shakespeare's plays. I would recommend this version of the play to
everyone and am very glad to finally be able to purchase it. I will watch it
regularly and commit some of the opening scene to memory.
I would also recommend the DVD, Looking For Richard, as another way to
have more of the play's text and context explained.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
Richard III starring Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent, Robert Downey Jr.,
Nigel Hawthorne 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!