King Lear (1984)

The late Sir Lawrence Olivier stars in this Emmy Award winning production of Shakespeare's King Lear. It is the timeless tale of greed and lust for power, and of a sick old man, his scheming children and lost loyalties. Also stars Diana Rigg, John Hurt, Leo McKern, and Colin Blakely. Special DVD features include a biography and filmography on Sir Lawrence Olivier, character and cast list, chapter stops on each scene, and more. 158 minutes.

Very good, but it could have looked better on the screen

Laurence Olivier was excellent as King Lear, and his performance in this production compares well with his other great films that he made in the past. The other actors also complemented his role and helped to make this a fine interpretation of Shakespeare. The "Stonehenge" sets added much to the atmosphere of the play.

However, I think some better technology could have made this program look better on the screen. The DVD looks like it was copied from from an unrestored video made in the 1980's. The program really shows its age. Perhaps it was the only copy available, but one would think that more effort would have been made to preserve it. If this television special was made today a larger budget with more technology would have been used so that the play would have looked more attractive on the screen. This is more like viewing a recording of the play, which is pleasing, but it is something seen at a distance instead of the vivid art of Olivier's previous films. November 11, 2008

One of the All-Time Great Lears

Olivier's delivery of the text is brilliant. I must disagree with the American critic Robert Brustein who was unable to see the forest for the trees. It is a thoroughly enjoyable & stimulating production captured on dvd, even for intelligent people. For those of us who have sat through many dull productions of what we are told is a great play, this is a welcome revelation. October 21, 2008

a royal pleasure

I gave this film to a Shakespeare loving friend as a birthday gift. She loved it. September 2, 2008

What can I say?

What can I say? This version of "King Lear" was absolutely perfect.
Minimal scenery to be sure, but that left me to actually SEE and HEAR Shakespeare and the inimitable Mr. Olivier without the any trappings.
Marvelous production! A "must see" for Shakespeare enthusiasts. September 11, 2007

Definitive

This is by general consensus one of Shakespeare's two greatest works, Hamlet being the other. (Which one you think is best is purely a matter of taste; you can generate passionate arguments either way.) No matter where you come down on that debate, King Lear is indisputably a top masterpiece by the greatest writer in the English language.

This production features a cast that is consummately superb, from the title role on down. Every character is played by an actor who ranks near the top of the profession, including such luminaries as Diana Rigg, Leo McKern, David Trelfall, Jeremy Kemp, and on and on and on. And, of course, there is Olivier, who is at the very peak of his powers here. There isn't a weak, or even ordinary, performance anywhere.

A teacher I once knew used to describe Shakespeare's language as "opera for people who can't sing." This company makes the language crystal clear, but beyond that, they make it sing. If this production doesn't make Shakespeare accessible for you, no production ever will. May 7, 2007

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