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Product Description
By popular demand, Trevor Nunn brings the 2007 stage-to-screen high definitiion presentation of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear.
Product Description
Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear... King Lear is a violent storm on a grand scale. It is a timeless tale of greed and lust for power. It is the story of a sick old man, his scheming children and lost loyalties
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you are looking for amazing special effects, then this isn't the one for you. Unsurprisingly, throught the film there is an intense feeling of a tight budget. However, with the performances inside, it hardly matters.
I had the fortune to see this while it was at the New London Theatre. None of the magic created by the actors is lost in the film - Romola Garai (Cordelia) is stunning, Frances Barber (Goneril) is absolutely wonderful with perfect timing and a voice to match, Monica Dolan and William Gaunt (Regan and Gloucester) are brilliant, but the shining lights are Sylvester McCoy and Ian McKellen, as the Fool and Lear. McCoy plays a hilarious, spoon-playing fool, and there is a great sympathy towards the character, making his fall incredibly tragic. And McKellen is pitch perfect. His performance as the great King is the definitive version.
There are many more visually stunning versions of this on film, but performance wise, it doesn't get better. I'm inclined to say that if you're studying the text in class, it's probably the best bet. It's very close to the stage production, and isn't inhibited or enhanced by large sets or costumes.
I had the fortune to see this while it was at the New London Theatre. None of the magic created by the actors is lost in the film - Romola Garai (Cordelia) is stunning, Frances Barber (Goneril) is absolutely wonderful with perfect timing and a voice to match, Monica Dolan and William Gaunt (Regan and Gloucester) are brilliant, but the shining lights are Sylvester McCoy and Ian McKellen, as the Fool and Lear. McCoy plays a hilarious, spoon-playing fool, and there is a great sympathy towards the character, making his fall incredibly tragic. And McKellen is pitch perfect. His performance as the great King is the definitive version.
There are many more visually stunning versions of this on film, but performance wise, it doesn't get better. I'm inclined to say that if you're studying the text in class, it's probably the best bet. It's very close to the stage production, and isn't inhibited or enhanced by large sets or costumes.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Virgilia
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I can only say that when Shakespeare wrote King Lear, he had this performance in mind. McKellen is magnificent, but so is the rest of the cast. I never saw a better Goneril and Edmund truly gets under your skin. I recommend this DVD wholeheartedly to anyone who loves Shakespeare.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was fortunate to see the RSC's stage production of "King Lear" twice during it's World Tour stop in Minneapolis and Ian McKellan was impressive to say the least. His command of the role kept me on the edge of my seat. I was also impressed with the performances of Frances Barber, Romola Garai and Sylvester McCoy, all of whom held their own very well when on-stage with McKellan. Having this production preserved on DVD is a real treat. My only disappointment is they didn't also record "The Seagull", which used most of the same cast and was running with "King Lear" in repertoire.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
review
amazing, moving and well cast ; are the best words to describe this film :D its well worth watching :)
Published 1 month ago by Rackel C
5.0 out of 5 stars
KING LEAR - A CLASS ACT
THIS VERSION OF KING LEAR IS ENTHRAWLING, IT IS DEEP AND DARK AND BEAUTIFULLY ACTED,WITH FANTASTIC ACTORS, A PERFECT SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION
Published 2 months ago by youngpat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very happy with this one
Speedy delivery, brand new, still in its packaging. Great play obviously and strong cast. Liked this production. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ljbutler
5.0 out of 5 stars
King lear dvd
Fast delivert well packaged and good value. My daughter in law and her daughter both found this dvd valueable in their studies for their degree comparing it with a Arden book on... Read more
Published 2 months ago by c. e. deakin
5.0 out of 5 stars
top noch
i watch this soon many years ago and have never forgot it,so powerful,so well acted,will be part of my collection,thank you taz
Published 3 months ago by taz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great :)
Bought this for my Mum who's a big Ian McKellen and Shakespear fan and has been for years - she loved it :)
Published 3 months ago by Miss Kerry Thompson
4.0 out of 5 stars
King Lear
I am a big Shakespear fan and a big Ian Mckellen fan. I enjoyed this but did find it quite rambling in places
Published 3 months ago by DCA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Invest
Sir Ian, leads a great cast in a role of royal and epic standing, not to hard to appreciate class really.
Published 3 months ago by The Grinch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Shakespeare's works are, perhaps, the most difficult to get truly right. Thankfully, this production doesn't just get it right, it may well be the perfect production of Lear. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. M. E. Merritt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shakespeare - the master
I was pleased to find this DVD at such a good price. Just what I needed for my Literature Group. Great DVD. Great service.
Published 12 months ago by beejay
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