Richard III [2 DVD Special Edition]

Synopsis
Feature film version of the play. ‘Building on Olivier’s extraordinary stage creation, the film asks less what the cinema can do for the theatre (as with HENRY V and HAMLET) than what the theatre can give to the cinema. It is boldly and often exhilaratingly theatrical’.
(McKernan, Luke & Olwen Terris, Walking Shadows: Shakespeare in the National Film & Television Archive (London: BFI, 1994), p. 138.
Series
Criterion Collection
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
2013
Year of production
1955
Notes
New high-definition digital transfer and new digital master of The Film Foundation’s 2012 4K restoration. DVD and Blu-ray, Special features: Disc 1: Commentary (featuring playwright and stage director Russell Lees and John Wilders, former governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company). Disc 2: Great Acting : Laurence Olivier (interview with actor Laurence Olivier from a 1966 episode of Great Acting, by theatre critic Kenneth Tynan); Restoration demonstration (hosted by Martin Scorsese); Production gallery (behind-the-scenes and production stills and posters); TV trailer (twelve-minute television trailer featuring footage of Olivier and other cast); Theatrical trailer. Booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin.
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items
Music of Lennon and McCartney, The [16/12/1965]

Credits

Cinematographer
Otto Heller
Music
William Walton
Costume
Carmen Dillon
Art Direction
Roger Furse
Contributor
Alan Dent
Cast
Alec Clunes 
Andrew Cruickshank 
Clive Morton 
Douglas Wilmer 
Helen Haye 
Helen Hayes 
John Laurie 
Laurence Naismith 
Michael Gough 
Norman Wooland 
Pamela Brown 
Patrick Troughton 
Russell Thorndike 
Stanley Baker 

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£12.99 (W) £14.99 (N)
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
150 mins (W) 158 mins + extras ( N)
Year
2006

Type
Film
Format
16mm
Availability
Hire
Duration/Size
158 minutes

Sections

Title
Trial of Richard III, The
Synopsis
The trial of Richard III, who was accused of murdering the princes in the Tower. The trial takes place in a reconstructed Old Bailey courtroom with the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Elwyn Jones, as Judge. Two eminent QCs, appearing under assumed names, present the case for and against the murder charges. Leading historians and scientists give evidence. Recreates a modern-day murder trial and is a study of English law.
Duration
225 mins

Production Company

Name

London Film Productions

Distributor (Sale)

 

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