Richard III

After Hamlet and Henry V, it could not have come as a surprise that the man who was arguably the 20th century’s greatest exponent of the works of the immortal bard should present us with his production of Richard III (Sir Laurence Olivier’s greatest role according to many).

This offering from 1955 is on a vast scale and really should not be missed by any would-be Shakespearean scholar, actors, writers, and filmmakers alike. Olivier draws not only on Shakespeare but as we are informed in the title credits, ‘interpolations’ are from David Garrick and Colley Cipper (two classical actors from the 18th century).

The plot surely is too well known for repeating it here, but I sum it up in a proverbial nutshell: Richard (Duke of Gloucester) is a megalomaniac who by scurrilous rumours (put about by himself) and vile spider-like machinations finds himself, as he intended, as the king of England. He’ll swat anyone who gets in his way and he does. The scheming confederate Duke Of Buckingham should have known better and we all know what fate has in store for him.

Olivier lorded as Richard – in reality an absurd performance, but not quite as hammy as Vincent Price’s (in the same part). No one in their right mind would trust this grotesque monster!

Olivier surrounds himself with an astonishing cast! Obviously his pals Sir John Gielgud (a fine performance as George, Duke of Clarence) and also Ralph Richardson (Buckingham) are on board. Claire Bloom as Lady Anne flits between pathos and irritating. The dependable Laurence Naysmith is perfect casting as the turncoat Lord Stanley. Alec Clunes plays a subtle and tragic Lord Hastings, whereas Michael Goth and Michael Ripper appear briefly as the murderers. And god knows how many other stalwarts make an appearance. Although ultimately Olivier’s ‘Richard’ doesn’t appeal (can you actually sympathise?) he does a fair job in seducing his camera.

His directorial skills show only too well his knowledge of the subject matter. And to boot, we have top theatre designer’s Roger Furse impressive costume and set designs, a score by the renowned composer William Walten, and Otto Heller’s atmospheric photography. It must be said, however, that the battle of Bosworth Field looks more like a plain in Spain than a field in England. Nevertheless, this is a classic that’s not to be missed by any aficionado.

This Blu-ray release offers the following Special Features:

Original Intermission Cards
Original Theatrical and TV Trailers
Extensive Image Galleries
The Trial of Richard III