Looking for Richard (1996)

Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."

Director:

Al Pacino

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Al Pacino (narration),

Stars:

Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Penelope Allen	...	Herself / Queen Elizabeth
Gordon MacDonald	...	Himself / Dorset
Madison Arnold	...	Himself / Rivers
Vincent Angell	...	Himself / Grey
Harris Yulin	...	Himself / King Edward
Alec Baldwin	...	Himself / Duke of Clarence
Al Pacino	...	Himself / Richard III
Timmy Prairie	...	Prince Edward
Landon Prairie	...	Young Prince
Kevin Conway	...	Himself / Hastings
Larry Bryggman	...	Himself / Lord Stanley
Kevin Spacey	...	Himself / Earl of Buckingham
Estelle Parsons	...	Margaret
Winona Ryder	...	Lady Anne
Phil Parolisi	...	Halberd / Messenger

Storyline

Director Al Pacino juxtaposes scene's from Richard III, scenes of rehearsals for Richard III, and sessions where parties involved discuss the play, the times that shaped the play and the events that happened at the time the play is set. Interviews with mostly British actors are also included, attempting to explain why American actors have more problems performing Shakespearean plays than they do.

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Plot Keywords:

interview | rehearsal | reenactment | murder | mariachi | 

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Taglines:

A four hundred year old work-in-progress.

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some scenes of violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

En busca de Ricardo III

Filming Locations:

Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

ITL 322,725,000 (Italy) (14 February 1997)

Gross:

ITL 408,961,000 (Italy) (21 February 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chal Productions, Jam Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Crucial scenes of the film were actually shot on location in The Cloisters and the church of St. John The Devine.

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Quotes

Al Pacino: A person has an opinion. It's only an opinion. It's never a question of right or wrong.

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Connections

Version of Richard III (1911)

User Reviews

a fine film that brings Shakespeare a living edge

This film has fascinated me ever since I first happened upon it in the library of Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. By a happy coincidence, I also checked out Ian McKellen's quite excellent "Richard III" on the same day and spent most of the afternoon viewing and comparing the two.

It all works: the performances, the interviews, the clowning around on the set. I thought Spacey was wooden, but Baldwin . . . wow . . . who would have expected such a performance.

Highly recommended for anyone who reads and thinks.

Rusty