LibGuides: Shakespeare on Film: King Lear

BBC/Time Life

King Lear
Intending to divide his realm among his three daughters, the dictatorial Lear commands each give a testimony of her love. But after the gushing of malevolent Goneril and Regan, loyal Cordelia states: "I love your majesty according to my bond; nor more nor less." She is banished, and Lear's descent into madness begins. Stars Michael Hordern and John Shrapnel. Provided by OhioLINK's Digital Resource Commons.

Digital Theatre-Jonathan Pryce

King Lear

Michael Attenborough brings Shakespeare's greatest tragedy to the intimacy of the Almeida stage.
When Lear asks each of his daughters to profess their love for him, he is flattered by the false hyperbole of Regan and Goneril. When his youngest daughter Cordelia confesses to love him simply as a daughter should, his pride is dented and he casts her out of his kingdom. Too late to realize his mistake, and forced from power by his offspring, an increasingly impotent and frail Lear descends into madness.
Award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce plays the title role in a production that formed part of the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012.

Available to rent for a small fee from Digital Theatre

Michael Attenborough brings Shakespeare's greatest tragedy to the intimacy of the Almeida stage.

When Lear asks each of his daughters to profess their love for him, he is flattered by the false hyperbole of Regan and Goneril. When his youngest daughter Cordelia confesses to love him simply as a daughter should, his pride is dented and he casts her out of his kingdom.

Too late to realise his mistake, and forced from power by his offspring, an increasingly impotent and frail Lear descends into madness.

Award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce plays the title role in a production that formed part of the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012.

- See more at: http://www.digitaltheatre.com/production/details/king-lear-jonathan-pryce/play#sthash.yJZKYlgU.dpuf

Michael Attenborough brings Shakespeare's greatest tragedy to the intimacy of the Almeida stage.

Too late to realise his mistake, and forced from power by his offspring, an increasingly impotent and frail Lear descends into madness.

Award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce plays the title role in a production that formed part of the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012.

- See more at: http://www.digitaltheatre.com/production/details/king-lear-jonathan-pryce/play#sthash.yJZKYlgU.dpuf

Olivier

King Lear
Without doubt the Lear of the century, this performance surpasses the skill of the critics to praise it; its all-star cast and crew have won every award that exists for performance and production. More important, the production makes a taut, compressed, and difficult play into a work that reaches out to modern audiences in its grip on the elemental human emotions—emotions common to ancient Celts and modern Americans, rowdy Elizabethan playgoers and today's Shakespearean scholars. Provided by Films on Demand.

Silent Film

King Lear
Although it may seem radical even to attempt a silent version of a Shakespeare play, such films were frequently made throughout the 1910s. This adaptation of King Lear had the advantage of starring Frederick Warde, who was renowned for his many stage performances as Lear. Warde is seen in rare form here as he inhabits the character with particularly expressive physicality. This cinematic classic from 1916 has been lovingly restored and features an all-new soundtrack. Provided by Films on Demand.

Supplemental Documentary

King Lear

From the 2015 Second Series of Shakespeare Uncovered, watch the one-hour episode about King Lear, which features Christopher Plummer, Ian McKellan, and Simon Russell Beale discussing their experience playing the title role. Available for free to Amazon Prime members, and for a small rental fee to non-Prime members.

Note: This does not count as viewing a Lear adaptation, but would be rich supplemental viewing.