Richard iii is a 1995 british drama film adapted from william shakespeares play of the same name, starring ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr. Loncraine then produced the film, again starring ian mckellan as richard iii, updated into a nationalsocialist timeframe. Mckellen s 1995 take on richard iii directed by richard loncraine, and streaming on tribeca shortlist now updates the costume and setting from the 15th century to. The study guide was distributed widely to schools in uk, encouraging students to discuss the film and the play in their classrooms. Actor sir ian mckellen stars in the modern dress royal national theatre production of richard iii. Richard aspires to a fascist dictatorship, but must first remove the obstacles to his ascension among them his brother, his nephews and his brothers wife annette. Sir ian murray mckellen ch cbe born 25 may 1939 is an english actor. Ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr. Cick here to download the study guide in pdf format. Richard eyre issued the challenge to mckellan to produce a screenplay, which he did, in collaboration with richard loncraine. With ian mckellen, annette bening, christopher bowen, edward jewesbury. There in 1995, we filmed the climactic battle scenes for our richard iii movie. The most brilliant aspect of this film is that sir ian mckellen and richard loncraine transported the story of the 1480s to a fiction 1930s, with richard iii as a fascist dictator in the style of mussolini.
Richard iii is a 1995 film adaptation of the play by william shakespeare, directed by richard loncraine and starring ian mckellen. Nov 27, 2015 appearing on larry king now, celebrated actor sir ian mckellen has confirmed he wont be returning to middle earth. Richard iii ian mckellen annette bening jim broadbent 1995 an ambitious noble murders his way to englands throne in this adaptation of shakespeares play, set in the 1930s. Why was richard iii with sir ian mckellen never reissued on dvd with english subtitles. The programme features ian mckellen and director richard loncraine as well as a range. Ian mckellen as richard iii in the 1995 film adaptation of the shakespeare play which was actually set in an imaginary version of 1930s britain ian mckellen has played richard iii on both stage. Richard mckellan softens up anne kristin scott thomas with flattery, sophistry and lies, and finally offers her a ring, which she accepts. This version of richard iii, directed by richard loncraine from a screenplay by loncraine and mckellen, sets the action between the two world wars. Adapted by ian mckellen and richard loncraine, from the national theatres acclaimed stage production by richard eyre, richard iii features an allstar cast, including kristin scott thomas, robert downey jr. 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. Richard iii ian mckellans nazi shakespeare movie rewind. Through interviews with sir ian mckellen who plays richard iii and also wrote the screenplay, richard loncraine, the films director and actors from the film, the programme examines the characterisation of richard, how.
Now look at a small touch added to the scene by richard iii, the new film by richard loncraine and ian mckellan. Historically, he became the scapegoat for the war of the roses which let the country move on to a more peaceful time. Helen mirren and ian mckellen are irresistible 4 out of 5 stars. Sir ian mckellen to visit india with shakespeare lives on. Embodying the bards ruthless kingtobe in the latest screen treatment of richard iii, ian mckellen with his droopy cheeks.
Ian mckellen as richard iii in the 1995 film adaptation of. Bought the german subtitle version as it was the only one available on the market for a reasonable price. Kiran rao, chairperson, mami feels, i am a great admirer of sir ian s work, and it is an honour for the jio mami film club to be able to partner in this event. Nigel hawthorne kristin scott thomas maggie smith john wood adrian dunbar dominic west genres. 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. Ian mckellen annette bening jim broadbent robert downey jr. Directed by richard loncraine, with ian mckellen, annette bening. The first stage production richard iii in repertory with king lear 1990 was a sensation, leading to a world tour followed by a run at the lyttelton theatre london 1991 and a us tour in 1992. Awardwinning film adapation brings shakespeares richard iii into a twentieth century setting. Rain storms throughout the day didnt dampen the spirits of the 20,000 people in the parade of the crowds in the packed streets watching. 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. Richard iii 1995 stream and watch online moviefone.
Actor ian mckellen on the set of richard iii, directed by. 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. It sets the play in an england of an alternate timeline, which clearly evokes 1930s fascism. Three powerful radio productions from the bbc archives starring ian mckellen, ronald pickup and paul scofield and a host of celebrated acting talent. It looks so much like a rights dispute as this play is just pure magic. The classic shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15thcentury king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s england as clouds of fascism gather. Catharines college, cambridge, where as a student actor he was often directed by john barton, later of the royal shakespeare company. Ian mckellen pulls himself up in his chair and fixes me with the steely glare that generally precedes murder most foul in his extraordinary performance as the eponymous hunchbacked schemer in richard loncraines visually stunning richard iii. It did however bring out plenty of rainbow umbrellas. The richard eyre production will embark on its largestever u.
Short film clip featuring ian mckellen and annette bening. The most brilliant aspect of this film is that sir ian mckellen and richard loncraine transported the story of the 1480s to a fiction 1930s, with richard iii as a. Richard loncraines exciting and lucid shakespearean adaptation from 1995 returns to mark. It was based on an acclaimed royal national theatre stage production by richard eyre that also starred mckellen. Richard iii is a 1995 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play of the same name, directed by richard loncraine.
Actor ian mckellen on the set of richard iii, directed by richard loncraine. Ian mckellens unearthed lord of the rings set diaries are. It is true that shakespeare is the author of richard iii of course, much of shakespeares authoring involved heavy borrowing, redaction and crafting. Long before he was gandalf or magneto, ian mckellen was a shakespearean actor, frequently performing with the u. Sep, 2007 ian mckellen played richard iii shakespeares bloodiest and most charming villain in a royal national theatre production that toured the u. Sir ian mckellen is a champion of the theatre, of gay. Smithsonian channel has snagged exclusive north american program rights to a documentary about the recent discovery of king richard iii s remains under an english parking lot that ended a 500. Shooting shakespeare in conjunction with the theatrical release of richard iii. Mckellans side bar comments on how scenes were shot or decisions were made on what language to cut, change, or move are insightful and a lot of fun. 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. 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. So cinema junkie looks back to the archives for an interview with the actor about playing richard iii.
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. Then in 1991, after a turn as richard iii 1990 at the national theatre, mckellen was knighted by queen elizabeth ii for outstanding services in the performing arts. Adapted from shakespeares tragedy by ian mckellen and richard loncraine annette bening is queen elizabeth jim broadbent is buckingham jim carter is hastings robert downey, jr. Jul 17, 2015 this week sir ian mckellan appears as sherlock holmes in a new film. In april and may of 1996, the bbc broadcast the documentary richard iii.
Noted shakespeare scholar harold bloom has written that ian mckellen was the greatest stage richard. The film like the stage production before it updates the setting to 1930sera england, creating an alternate history where richard gloucester ian. So it shouldnt be a huge surprise that he coproduced and cowrote a film version of richard iii. Ian murray mckellen may 25, 1939 burnley, lancashire, england, uk. When ian mckellans 1995 version of richard iii came to the local art movie house, my husband the real shakespeare lover in our family convinced me to go with him. He is the recipient of six laurence olivier awards, a tony award, a golden globe award, two academy award nominations, four bafta nominations and five emmy award nominations. Noted shakespeare scholar harold bloom has written that ian mckellen was the greatest stage richard i have seen.
When youre turning a play into a movie and thats what weve done with richard iii, the richard iii you see on the big screen with digital sound is no longer a play, its been. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. His notable film roles include gandalf in the lord of. Ian mckellen pulls himself up in his chair and fixes me with the steely glare that generally precedes murder most foul in his extraordinary performance as the eponymous hunchbacked schemer in richard loncraines visually stunning richard iii let me throw back the challenge, he demands. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, england is torn by civil war, split between the. 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. 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. Smithsonian channel gets north american rights to richard. Sir ian mckellen speaking on the main stage at pride london 2014, london, england. By clicking the download button, you accept the responsibility for using unreleased content including obtaining any clearances required for your use and agree to abide.
A murderous lust for the british throne sees richard iii ian mckellen descend into madness. The film sets the play in 1930s britain with richard as a fascist sympathiser. His career spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Ian mckellen s unearthed lord of the rings set diaries will take you there and back again.
Annette bening is queen elizabeth jim broadbent is buckingham. Mckellen s work spans genres ranging from shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Longestablished as a national treasure thanks to his successes on both stage. This week sir ian mckellan appears as sherlock holmes in a new film. 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. Directed by richard loncraine, with ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, england is torn by civil war, split between the rivaling houses of york and lancaster. Adapted from shakespeares tragedy by ian mckellen and richard loncraine. So onebyone, richard has them removed, blind to anything except his ambition. Adapted by ian mckellen and richard loncraine, from the national theatres acclaimed stage production by richard eyre, richard iii features. Photo by alex baileysygmasygma via getty images embed textfortogglebutton593345508. These three legendary plays, performed by some of the bestknown theatrical actors of the 20th century, are the perfect way to commemorate englands greatest dramatist. From gandalf to gladys, a glorious delight do not miss.
Nov, 2014 long before he was gandalf or magneto, ian mckellen was a shakespearean actor, frequently performing with the u. In an ironic twist, he was on the same honors list as radio host peregrine worsthorne. This oscar nominated adaptation stars ian mckellen as the despotic richard, duke of gloucester as he plots his murderous route to power. Mckellans sceenplay for his movie of richard iii is a great read for anyone interested in how a script becomes a play or how a play becomes a movie.
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