FILM-FORWARD.COMReviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
RICHARD III
In what some might call his most brilliant performance, Laurence Olivier
portrays the title role in an adaptation, which is a
must-see for all Shakespeare or Olivier fans.
Winner of the British Academy Film Award for best film in 1956, this is a compelling and
handsomely-mounted
recount of a brother’s
lust
for power and rise to the throne at all costs, including murder. There is
always
a risk of over-dramatizing Shakespearean literature in film,
yet the cast, in performances that seem crafted for the stage, never
overacts, nevertheless.
Extras: Olivier comes to life in an interview that is informative and
integral to a comprehensive understanding of the
actor. Commentary on other projects, such as Hamlet, Othello, and
The Entertainer, is offered.
Olivier also produced a television trailer that gives insight to the film,
showcasing
many of the poignant scenes in the film. We are given
footage
of production designer Roger Furse at work in his studio and glimpses of his actual costume
designs. The special features alone are
worthy of
rental, especially for Olivier fans. Lisette Johnson
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