Richard III

This 1996 gem is pretty much Sir Ian McKellen’s baby. He was one of the producers and co-adapted the production with director Richard Locraine. Many will know that this production has been updated to 1940’s London, seemingly drawing a parallel with Fascist Germany under the reign of Hitler.

Shakespeare's Richard III is one of the greatest monsters in the history of dramatic literature, bearing in mind that when it was written, the Tudors were in power. McKellen with his immense stage experience gives us a multi-faceted performance - it is only too easy to fall into a trap where the crookback one is concerned, no chance of that happening here though. It is indeed a fine portrayal; this man is an actor incapable of not giving us our money's worth. One is loathe to go into the plot seeing how it is so well known. That said, there are obvious cuts and a bit of character merging in this version. That devious ultra schemer, the ‘Duke of Gloucester’, intends on 'polishing off' all those who get in his way… or annoy him in any way to achieve his end the crown of England. The well known opening soliloquy “Now is the winter of our discontent” is given a truly inspired touch by cutting away after the praiseworthy opening lines into a toilet with Richard relieving himself and telling us his evil plans to come. There are many good things here and I am sure even those less acquainted with the play could get an angle on this one.

Sir Ian surrounded himself with a bevy of top actors here. John Wood, the former darling of the RSC, shines as brother ‘King Edward IV’, Nigel Hawthorne is perhaps a shade too old to play ‘The Duke of Clarence’ but gives us a sympathetic performance nonetheless, both Dame Maggie Smith as the ‘Duchess of York’ and Kristin Scott Thomas as ‘Lady Anne’ are impressive enough. Shakespearean purists will be glad to hear that the film’s American thespians – Annette Bening as ‘Queen Elizabeth’ and Robert Downey Jr. as ‘Lord Rivers’ meet with unpleasant endings - though not necessarily for murdering iambics! The ubiquitous Jim Broadbent is also on hand as the equally ambitious ‘Duke of Buckingham’ – someone who really should have seen it coming! As mentioned before, it IS Sir Ian’s film: chain smoking, fascist-style military uniform, Hitlerian haircut et al. This Richard III is indeed one to savor in its malign subtlety.

The film looks good for a 'low budget' affair - a mere five million smackers. One can't help but to enjoy the locations, which include Senate House (the ‘Ministry of Truth’ in the 1956's version of 1984) as Richard's headquarters, then we have Euston Station, Brighton Pavilion, and the old GLC Headquarters by Westminster Bridge (also used in the 1950's film noir Night and The City). Finally, it was a really inspired idea to re-enact the battle of Bosworth in the decayed ruin of what was once Battersea Power Station. It is the kind of film you will want to see again and again!
Plaudits all round here but especially for Sir Ian and director Loncraine – considering that the latter was, at the time of filming, far from familiar with the works of the illustrious bard. Ultimately it didn’t matter though as his collaborator was, if anything, overfamiliar with the bard’s work, if such a thing is possible. Indeed, Sir Ian may, by this time, have played more Shakespearian characters than any other living actor. It may be interesting to note that the film was based on a successful stage production at the National Theatre.

This superb Dual Format Edition comes with some splendid Special Featues including the McKellen himself giving a Shakespearian ‘lecture’ at the BFI – an event which took place in April this year. Again great entertainment for all, you don't even have to like Shakespeare to enjoy this bonus feature. If Sir Ian is on a mission to convert non-Shakespearians he may well succeed!