Rent King Lear (1983)

3.8 of 5 from 54 ratings
2h 37min
Rent King Lear Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
The most revered actor of the 20th Century stars in King Lear, Shakespeare's greatest tragedy. Laurence Olivier gives an outstanding performance, portraying drama's most celebrated octogenarian with spirit and pathos. This internationally acclaimed production boasts Olivier in his first appearance in a Shakespeare play filmed exclusively for television. King Lear is a violent story about family strife, crumbling power and divided loyalty, culminating in madness. Its themes are as pertinent today as when the play was written some 400 years ago.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
David Plowright
Writers:
William Shakespeare
Studio:
Cinema Club
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
10 Films to Watch if You Like All Is True, A Brief History of Films About Sisters, A Brief History of Old Age on Screen: Part 1, A History of The Classical World In Cinema, That's All Fawkes! Top 10 Films Set in the Stuart Era
BBFC:
Release Date:
14/07/2003
Run Time:
157 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Subtitles:
None
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
Colour

More like King Lear

Reviews (1) of King Lear

King Lear - King Lear review by AO

Spoiler Alert
07/11/2020

This play, although a work of genius, is unrelentingly grim. It plays on brutality, wanton cruelty, civil war, family strife and madness. And that's not to mention the stabbings, hangings and 'that' eye gouging scene. 'Notting Hill' it isn't. What it is though is a searing look it how humans really are or can be, and its not a jolly look. To complain about the ending in King Lear is to miss the point. The ending is the point. It's little wonder that Hollywood with its love of neat, happy-ever-after endings has stayed away from this tragedy like you would a dog with fleas.

In a way, good does win through but not before total carnage and immense all round suffering. During which a lot of both bad and good people die, some a lot more deserving than others. I don't think i need to put out a spoiler alert (the thing is over 400 years old after all), but the end scene with Cordelia (who truly doesn't deserve to die) is one of the most tender and heart wrenching scenes ever. Anyone who doesn't have a piece of grit in their eye watching her demise, deserves to have it gouged out.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Unlimited films sent to your door, starting at £15.99 a month.