Richard III (The Criterion Collection)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alec Clunes, Claire Bloom, Pamela Brown, Stewart Allen, Wally BascoeBrand: GIELGUD,JOHN,SIR
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 158 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-24
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Criterion
Movie Reviews of Richard III (The Criterion Collection)
Movie Review: Meet Shakespeare's Humpbacked Psychopath!!
Summary: 5 Stars
+++++
This movie is based on William Shakespeare's history play of the same name that was written circa 1592.
The movie begins with introductory printed words:
"The following begins in the latter half of the 15TH century in England, at the end of a long period of strife set about by rival factions of the English crown, known as the Wars of the Roses. The Red Rose being the emblem of The House of Lancaster [while] [t]he White [was] for The House of York.
The White Rose of York was in its final flowering at the beginning of [this] story..."
Then we are shown a brief ending to Henry 6th Part 3 and after this the camera zooms in on a solitary misshapen figure. He is humpbacked, limping, a withered arm dangling from his side and he slowly drags himself toward the camera and utters this astonishing soliloquy (which is the actual beginning of the original play):
"Now is the winter of our discontent,
Made glorious summer by the sun of York,
And all the clouds that loured upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now we our brows bound with victorious wreaths,
Our bruised arms hung for monuments,
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Out dreadful marched to delightful measures."
In his opening speech, Richard 3RD (Laurence Olivier, who also produced and directed) tells us his strategy, revealing the man behind the smiling mask. He pledges himself to villainy, treachery, and conspiracy in order to acquire the crown. By confiding in us, he chillingly pays us, as far as he is concerned, the supreme compliment: he makes us his accomplices. He does this through most of the movie.
This viewer was mesmerized by his droll, mocking voice and by the sheer charisma of this man. He has the tone of a highly refined villain:
"Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophesies, libels, and dreams.
To set my brother...and the King
In deadly hate the one against the other..."
Richard's world resembles a chessboard, and he's now plotting his moves: four jumps and the throne is his. All he must do is remove the obstacles: his brother, King Edward the 4TH (who conveniently dies) (Cedric Hardwicke ); his other brother George, the Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud); then his nephews, the young Prince Edward and Prince Richard. And in the course of the play he also manages to dispose of his first wife, as well as several others who stand in his way.
After obtaining the crown through his devious, murderous ways, Richard quickly loses it in a final battle. It is in this battle that he cries out, "A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"
For newcomers to Shakespeare, this is the place to begin. The language is accessible; the acting could scarcely be better especially that of Olivier as Richard. It's said that all subsequent portrayals of Richard are based on this version and that Olivier was the first to exploit this "smiling villain's" comic potential. All supporting actors do an excellent job.
The vivid colors add to each scene of this movie based on a dark play. As well, there is a rousing musical score. My only minor complaint is that some scenes look staged.
Though not absolutely necessary, I would read a brief outline of the play's plot before I viewed this movie. As well, I would have a list of the play's characters. (I have mentioned many of the major characters above but there are quite a few minor ones as well.)
Finally, the DVD (released by Criterion in 2004) is practically perfect in picture and sound quality. It has a few extras that are worth exploring.
BOTTOM LINE:
This movie is a worthy addition to the Bard's cinematic canon.
(1955; 2 hr, 40 min; widescreen; 2 discs)
+++++
Summary of Richard III (The Criterion Collection)
The story of Richard of Gloucester, a man twisted both in mind and body, as he schemes for the throne of England.Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 24-FEB-2004
Media Type: DVD
The third and final entry in Laurence Olivier's Shakespeare triptych, Richard III (1954) is an audacious portrait of a man determined to prove himself a villain. As the personification of evil impudence, Olivier portrays the Duke of Gloucester with such aplomb that he brings the audience onto his side. This is true even as Richard engineers plots to murder his brother Clarence (John Gielgud), betray his cousin Buckingham (Ralph Richardson), and seduce his niece Lady Anne (Claire Bloom). From the play's famous opening lines ("Now is the winter of our discontent"), Olivier delivers every speech with truly Machiavellian splendor, and his superb staging of the climactic battle rivals his work on Henry V. Regrettably, this would be Olivier's last Shakespeare film, as a planned adaptation of Macbeth was abandoned for financial reasons. Olivier justly received an Oscar® nomination for his performance; and believe it or not, this film was the inspiration for the original Blackadder! --Kevin Mulhall
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