Apr 21, 2016 a s a special event to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death, here for one night only 28 april is richard loncraines terrifically exciting and lucid movie version of richard iii. Richard iii is a 1995 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play of the same name. It looks so much like a rights dispute as this play is just pure magic. The study guide was distributed widely to schools in uk, encouraging students to discuss the film and the play in their classrooms cick here to download the study guide in pdf format. Ian mckellen biography, movie highlights and photos. Human beings, reflects sir ian mckellen in joe stephensons winsome new doc mckellen. Directed by richard loncraine, with ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr. This oscar nominated adaptation stars ian mckellen as the despotic richard, duke of gloucester as he plots his murderous route to power. Its not yourself you offer to the world, but part of yourself. I think thats connected with my public coming out ten years ago. It sets the play in an england of an alternate timeline, which clearly evokes 1930s fascism. Sir ian mckellen, one of the great shakespeare actors, spent the glorious.
It is true that shakespeare is the author of richard iii of course, much of shakespeares authoring involved heavy borrowing, redaction and crafting. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, england is torn by civil war, split between the rivaling houses of york and lancaster. Bought the german subtitle version as it was the only one available on the market for a reasonable price. Richard iii 1995 film, with ian mckellen and annette bening. Richard iii 1995 stream and watch online moviefone. Richard loncraines rendition of william shakespeares richard iii is memorable in its appeal to modern viewers partly because it relocates the action of the play to a fantasized nazi germanystyled england of the 1940s, rather than keeping fifteenthcentury england as.
Trevor nunn 2007 production king lear royal shakespeare. Richard loncraines rendition of william shakespeares. She compares pacinos film to laurence oliviers 1955 film of richard iii and ian mckellens 1995 modernized version to show how pacinos documentary structure solves the problems raised by. Helen mirren and ian mckellen are irresistible 4 out of 5 stars. Met ian mckellen, annette bening en robert downey jr. Richard iii is a 1995 british drama film adapted from william shakespeare s play of the same name, starring ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr.
Screenplay by sir ian mckellen who also stars as richard ill. With these timeless words, duke richard lounging on his sun deck sets his murderous plans in motion. New commentary by ian mckellen and richard loncraine. Richard iii of england 14521485 king of england from 26 june 1483 until his death on 22. It is true that shakespeare is the author of richard iii. Richard eyre issued the challenge to mckellan to produce a screenplay, which he did, in collaboration with richard loncraine. Over the course of the play, richard and his minions dress increasingly in black with uniforms like those of hitlers ss, and the monumental art direction is right out of leni riefenstahls nazi. Shakespeares play transplanted into a 1930s setting. But besides starring as our titular richard, mckellen does share a producer and writing credit along with loncraine for this particular adaptation, so its hard not to think of him as the driving force behind this film. Oliviers 1955 film of richard iii and ian mckellens 1995 modernized version. Visually striking and highly imaginative, richard loncraines screen adaptation of william shakespeares richard iii ranks as one of the best or at least. Richard loncraines rendition of william shakespeares richard iii is memorable in its appeal to modern viewers partly because it relocates the action of the play to a fantasized nazi germanystyled england of the 1940s, rather than keeping fifteenthcentury england as the setting as shakespeare originally intended.
His career spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Nov 27, 2015 appearing on larry king now, celebrated actor sir ian mckellen has confirmed he wont be returning to middle earth. Maybe its not entirely proper to call the 1995 film of richard iii, ian mckellens richard iii, since it was actually directed by richard loncraine. A s a special event to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death, here for one night only 28 april is richard loncraines terrifically exciting and lucid movie version of richard iii. Loncraine then produced the film, again starring ian mckellan as richard iii, updated into a nationalsocialist timeframe. Richard iii 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. Ian mckellen full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. Ian mckellen is famous for playing gandalf the grey in the lord of the rings films, but couldve played another famous movie wizard if certain opinions were different mckellen was. Richard iii by richard loncraine ian mckellen, annette. Maybe its not entirely proper to call the 1995 film of richard iii, ian mckellen s richard iii, since it was actually directed by richard loncraine. Deciding to make his own luck, mckellen produced and starred in a 1930sset adaptation of richard iii 1995, in which he delivered a sterling performance that led to an oscarnominated turn in gods and monsters 1998.
Hes open about his sexuality, hes a great artist and he exudes love and joy. The film adapts the plays story and characters to a setting based on 1930s britain, with richard depicted as a fascist plotting to usurp the throne ian mckellen portrays the titular richard, as well as cowriting the screenplay with loncraine. The classic shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15thcentury king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s england as clouds of fascism gather. Method acting and pacinos looking for richard by peirui su. With ian mckellen, annette bening, christopher bowen, edward jewesbury. Appearing on larry king now, celebrated actor sir ian mckellen has confirmed he wont be returning to middle earth. Bbc radio 4 front row, ian mckellen on richard iii. Mckellen also inhabited the title role of richard iii for director richard. Shakespeares richard iii wednesday november 9 the film. The audience and the text richard loncraine, the director of the new film richard iii has said that he wanted to make a film that he. Jun 12, 1992 but in richard eyres royal national theater production of richard iii, transported to the 1930s and ignited by ian mckellen s transcendent star performance, the audiences dinner is in. A murderous lust for the british throne sees richard iii ian mckellen descend into madness. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, england is torn by civil war, split between the.
In this video, sir ian mckellen explains the start of the now is the winter of our discontent speech from richard iii. Ian mckellen in richard iii 1995 courtesy of mayfairbaylyparethe. The film sets the play in 1930s britain with richard as a fascist sympathiser. The extract is from the 1995 film richard iii, starring ian mckellen and maggie smith, available on dvd. Wednesday november 16 voltaire, candide read the excerpt from candide in the course kit. In addition to his stage work, mckellen appeared in a number of motion pictures, notably a film version of david hares plenty 1985 and richard iii 1995, an adaptation of shakespeares play that is set in a fictionalized version of england in the 1930s.
Ian mckellen balanced lears contradictions, playing lear as a kind father. Longestablished as a national treasure thanks to his successes on both stage. Nov, 2014 long before he was gandalf or magneto, ian mckellen was a shakespearean actor, frequently performing with the u. Richard iii critics consensus this reimagining of shakespeares crookback king relocates the story in 1930 and features an indelible star turn for ian mckellen as the monstrous and magnetic king. Ian mckellen christopher bowen christopher bowen edward jewesbury annette bening aka.
Ian mckellen, in full sir ian murray mckellen, born may 25, 1939, burnley, lancashire, england, british actor of great versatility, noted for his work with the royal shakespeare company and for his eclectic filmography mckellen attended st. A more expensive special edition version of the dvd is taken from a digitallyrestored print of richard iii and includes the trial of richard iii 1984 a 3. Ian chooses one of shakespeares darkest characters, the machiavellian king richard. Sir ian mckellen attends the 64th evening standard. Ian mckellen balanced lears contradictions, playing lear as a kind father, violent master and vulnerable old man, and he infamously appeared naked during lears. Here, the story is moved into the 1930s as a neofascist government has taken power in england, and richard ian. Richard ii to henry vii richard iii is the last play in what has come to be known as shakespeares history. Sir ian mckellan as richard iii mgmua free of the paralyzing reverence that often hampers productions of shakespeare, coadapters mckellen and. Why was richard iii with sir ian mckellen never reissued on dvd with english subtitles.
Drama oorlog film geregisseerd door richard loncraine. This version of richard iii, directed by richard loncraine from a screenplay by loncraine and mckellen, sets the action between the two world wars. Richard iii is a 1995 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play of the same name, directed by richard loncraine. The ian mckellen you dont really know outtake medium. Sep, 2007 ian mckellen played richard iii shakespeares bloodiest and most charming villain in a royal national theatre production that toured the u. Shooting shakespeare in conjunction with the theatrical release of richard iii.
Bloom thought sir ian mckellen was the greatest richard iii he had ever seen, and richard loncraines 1995 film is based on mckellens famous 1990 national theater performance. With david carradine, sally kirkland, maria conchita alonso, scott anderson. He is the recipient of six laurence olivier awards, a tony award, a golden globe award, a screen actors guild award, a bif award, two saturn awards, four. Bloom thought sir ian mckellen was the greatest richard iii he had ever seen, and richard loncraines 1995 film is based on mckellen s famous 1990 national theater performance. If youre looking for a compelling portrait of british royalty, try ian mckellen and richard loncraines gutsy, 30sset adaptation of shakespeares brutal. Apr 04, 2017 ian mckellen is famous for playing gandalf the grey in the lord of the rings films, but couldve played another famous movie wizard if certain opinions were different mckellen was. Richard iii starring ian mckellen on dual format in. Sep 26, 2007 sir ian mckellan as richard iii mgmua free of the paralyzing reverence that often hampers productions of shakespeare, coadapters mckellen and loncraine cut the text severely but with great care. Sir ian murray mckellen ch cbe born 25 may 1939 is an english actor.
Savile row is a shopping street in mayfair, central london, famous for its traditional mens bespoke tailoring. She compares pacinos film to laurence oliviers 1955 film of richard iii and ian mckellen s 1995 modernized version to show how pacinos documentary structure solves the problems raised by. You probably know revered british actor ian mckellen from his roles as gandalf in the. Long before he was gandalf or magneto, ian mckellen was a shakespearean actor, frequently performing with the u.
Wednesday november 9 the film, richard iii with sir ian mckellen. Visually striking and highly imaginative, richard loncraines screen adaptation of william shakespeares richard iii ranks as one of the best or at least the most cinematic versions of the bards work to ever appear on screen. A button that says download on the app store, and if clicked it. Laurence olivier 1955 the classic men in tights version with the inimitable olivier who won a bafta for the role. Oliviers performance, viewed as the greatest of his career, charges richard with magnetic malevolence as he steals his brother edwards crown through a murderous set. So it shouldnt be a huge surprise that he coproduced and cowrote a film version of richard iii. Mckellen is the best thing about the movie, his mesmerising portrayal of freakish despotism and poisoned desire a thing to behold. New trailer 2016 play the devil making richard iii 2016, 6 mins. Widely considered one of the leading british actors of his generation, ian mckellen has had a rich and varied career encompassing the stage, screen, and television. Ian mckellen played richard iii shakespeares bloodiest and most charming villain in a royal national theatre production that toured the u. In her paper, method acting and pacinos looking for richard, peirui su.
He is the recipient of six laurence olivier awards, a tony award, a golden globe award, a screen actors guild award, a bif award, two saturn awards, four drama desk awards, and two critics choice awards. But in richard eyres royal national theater production of richard iii, transported to the 1930s and ignited by ian mckellens transcendent star performance, the audiences dinner is in. Is worth killing for shakespeares play transplanted into a 1930s setting. In april and may of 1996, the bbc broadcast the documentary richard iii.
Catharines college, cambridge, where as a student actor he was often directed by john barton, later of the royal shakespeare company. Richard iii 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. Trevor nunn 2007 production the audience around the thrust stage of trevor nunns ruritaniainspired production could expect to get rained on during this loud and stormy production. Sir ian mckellen explains the opening speech of richard iii. Sir ian mckellen, english actor, having a tuxedo fitted at richard anderson tailors, on savile row in central london, uk. In her paper, method acting and pacinos looking for richard, peirui su explores the influence of method acting on al pacinos decision to film shakespeares richard iii as an unconventional docudrama.
409 1397 1335 475 1278 1514 825 505 441 793 385 407 1203 785 710 1489 1349 1442 633 1088 6 915 63 463 1341 425 742 328 258 938 798 126 1354 769 587 498 780 144 231 350 504 115 1161 960 955 1018 698