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Movies / On DVD / Richard III
Richard III

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Richard III (1955)

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Reviews Counted:13

Fresh:11

Rotten:2

Average Rating:6.8/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 41 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Amid the Wars of the Roses in England, ruling monarch Edward IV's lame, misshapen brother Richard schemes to ascend the throne. Richard turns the king against their other brother, the Duke of... Amid the Wars of the Roses in England, ruling monarch Edward IV's lame, misshapen brother Richard schemes to ascend the throne. Richard turns the king against their other brother, the Duke of Clarence, who is imprisoned for treason, then arranges for Clarence's murder. He then woos the Lady Anne, determined to wed her to increase his influence. When Edward finally dies, Richard plots the murders of the young heir apparent and his brother--his own nephews. His machinations accelerate and murder piles atop murder as Richard succeeds in taking the throne--and desperately tries to hold it. Laurence Olivier's classic protrayal of the ambitious, calculating man reveals both his wickedness and his unshakable strength. The lush photography and widescreen format do the elaborate battle scenes justice. [More]

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Claire Bloom

Director: Laurence Olivier

Director: Laurence Olivier

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Release:

Jun 16, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Following his triumphant screen versions of Henry V and Hamlet, director, producer, and star Laurence Olivier assembled a stunning cast (including Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, and Claire Bloom) for a grand realization of Richard III, produced by Alexander Korda. A Technicolor and widescreen spectacle full of intimate, diabolical drama, this is one of the quintessential Shakespearean film adaptations.
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    Reviews for Richard III

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    1 - 14 (sorted by date)
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    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This filmed record of Olivier's Richard has intimidated generations of actors -- how can they hope to compete with an interpretation both so brilliant and so familiar to audiences?

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    07/09/08
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Laurence Olivier's classic rendition (1956) of Shakespeare's total villain contains one of his most engaging performances and reveals some of his best spatial manipulation of action.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    07/09/08
    Don Druker
    Don Druker
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It becomes almost laughable when it tries to transcend its own timidity in the dramatic climaxes.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/16/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/27/04
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    Olivier's is a turgid rendition with little regard for how the medium of cinema might lend alternative perspectives to the text.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    03/17/04
    Channel 4 Film
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The quality of production was superb, and a viewer had a true sense of pageantry and court grandeur.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    03/17/04
    Bosley Crowther
    Bosley Crowther
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    how can you not dig a movie that offers John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson on top of Olivier?

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 1 Comment
    02/21/04
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/31/03
    Carol Cling
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    Esta grandiosa produção traz Olivier em uma performance inesquecível. Infelizmente, como diretor, Olivier não conseguiu evitar que a narrativa soasse excessivamente teatral.

    comment Comment
    09/08/03
    Pablo Villaca
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    09/07/02
    Linda Cook
    Linda Cook
    Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/29/02
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Well worth seeing.

    Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Steve Rhodes
    Steve Rhodes
    Internet Reviews
     
     
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