King Lear
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.89 You Save: $10.02 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.55 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of King Lear
Movie Review: Bad Dad
Summary: 5 Stars
Now a celebrity, courtesy of Bilbo Baggins (the keepcase to this King Lear DVD bills him as "of the Lord of the Rings"), Ian Holm was a great actor long before he was Bilbo. On this DVD he delivers a Lear on a par with the twentieth century's greatest, including Olivier's. But the excellence of this version results not just from one bravura performance, but from an intelligently conceived approach to the play, seamlessly executed by a competent, superbly chosen cast. Of innovative productions there is no end, but what a rarity, and what a joy, when innovation comes across as deeply authentic, rooted in the text and the humanity of the play, as if the new take had always been there, concealed in the text, waiting for centuries to be discovered. One can argue whether Lear should be presented as a "psychological" drama of broken family relationships, and I have mixed feelings about the approach; but if, as our leading Shakespeare critic maintains, Shakespeare "invented" our understanding of human nature, then surely this approach should be tried. And it works to perfection here. Goneril and Regan, the "bad daughters," evolve into monsters of pure evil, but along the way we see, via some remarkable facial expressions that play particularly well on the small screen, flashes of the agonizing pain and hurt that their overbearing father has inflicted on them. This is true also of Cordelia, the "good" daughter; all these daughters are visibly tormented in the presence of their father, though Cordelia overcomes her past through love and forgiveness. What keeps this from being the greatest Lear on video is that the text is heavily abridged. Those who know the play will have trouble escaping the occasional feeling that they are trapped in a "60 Second Lear" from Tom Stoppard or the Reduced Shakespeare Company. The greatest of Shakespeare's lines remain, but how much greater they are when they emerge from his larger linguistic context. At points the cutting even confuses the plot. One gets no hint from this version that the "bedlam" Edgar is only feigning madness; for awhile you would think he's actually gone bonkers.Movie Review: A Fool and His Kingdom are Parted
Summary: 5 Stars
Though I love the plays of William Shakespeare, I have never been a fan of King Lear. Watching has always been too depressing for me. Even when it is well acted, it leaves me feeling progressively worse. This production has made me revise my opinion.
The story of King Lear is the story of an aging king. He decides to go into a sort of retirement and divide his kingdom between his three daughers. The catch is that first, he wants each of the girls to explain how much she loves him. The two older daughters are fullsome in their praise even if their motives are purely mercenary. The youngest daughter, however is different. SHe refuses to play the game. She is genuine in her love but refuses to engage in the one upmanship. As a result, her infuriated father disinherits her completely. All that follows results from this first act. The king becomes a figure of contempt and the older daughters squabble for a bigger and bigger prize. The result is a civil war and tragedy for all.
As in of of the Bard's plays, there are numerous substories. Most of them here invo;ve backstabbing and the alienation of friends and family. King Lear acts in anything but a regal fashion and his actions get progressively worse. You want to storm out onto the stage and beat some sense into him.
The title character is played here in a very refreshing and energetic fashion. This only serves to accentuate the slide into senility and childish behavior. The other roles are well done too.
This is a Masterpiece Theater adaptation for television. It does not have all of the lavish production values of a Kenneth Branagh film but that in no way detracts from a first class performance.
This Lear is a must for Shakespeare fans and is quite good enough for a general audience as well.
Movie Review: A Five-Star Performance from Ian Holm
Summary: 5 Stars
Ian Holm is a great actor who really hasn't had a chance to really shine for American audiences. Until now. He's been a busy actor (most recently and notably in THE LORD OF THE RINGS films), and he may have other great roles I just haven't seen yet, but this has become my favorite performance from him.
After seeing his coolness in ALIEN, his Polonius in the Mel Gibson HAMLET, and his deep grief in THE SWEET HEREAFTER, I was blown away by Holm's KING LEAR.
The rest of the cast is really first-rate and their actions and expressions, along with effective direction, really bring the play to life.
Thank God these successful stage versions find their way onto video and DVD. It would be a shame to have only great reviews left for the ages!
I haven't seen Olivier's LEAR but now I will seek it out, just to see how that version plays.
But I may already have my favorite.
Movie Review: Ian Holm did it First
Summary: 5 Stars
Long before Ian McKellan bared his bod on the stage as King Lear, Ian Holm did it in this production. Although the Olivier Lear is probably the best known, this one is very, very good. We recommend it to all Shakespeare buffs and English majors.Movie Review: Terrific
Summary: 4 Stars
When I read that Lear would be played by Ian Holm, I was shocked.
Ian That tiny man who always plays mousy nebbishes?
Bilbo Baggins????
Well, I am happy to report I was wrong.
Somehow, Holm manages to appear 7 feet tall and has ferocity and bluster to burn.
He is wonderful: he has fury, terrifying rage, delicacy, mordancy, sadness, waiflike pitifulness. All the things Lear should have.
The other actors are good-to-great, too.
The only bad thing about this production is the sets. It is essentially a filmed play, so the sets are usually a red-draped room with a table.
After all the lavish sets for Shakespeare by Branagh et al., I guess I got spoiled.
However, the acting and direction are thrilling.