IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
The twisted Richard III is haunted by the ghosts of those he has murdered in his attempt to become the King of England.The twisted Richard III is haunted by the ghosts of those he has murdered in his attempt to become the King of England.The twisted Richard III is haunted by the ghosts of those he has murdered in his attempt to become the King of England.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
- Leo Gordon(screen play)
- F. Amos Powell(screen play)
- Robert E. Kent(screen play)
- Stars
- Leo Gordon(screen play)
- F. Amos Powell(screen play)
- Robert E. Kent(screen play)
- Stars
Eugene Mazzola
- Edward V
- (as Eugene Martin)
Morris Ankrum
- The Archbishop
- (uncredited)
Paul Frees
- Opening Narrator
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Gene Roth
- The Tailor
- (uncredited)
Jack Tornek
- Member of Court
- (uncredited)
- Leo Gordon(screen play) (story)
- F. Amos Powell(screen play) (story)
- Robert E. Kent(screen play)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Battle of Bosworth is made up of stock footage from the original Universal version of Tower of London (1939).
- GoofsWhen Richard pushes the freshly murdered Clarence into the vat, you can see Clarence take a deep breath and hold it, just prior to being submerged.
- Quotes
Mistress Shore: [as a ghost, showing the whip lashes on her bare back to Richard of Gloucester] Wouldn't you rather look at my back? Is it not attractive as a woman's back should be?
- Crazy creditsNo credit is given to Robert N. Lee, who wrote the 1939 original, nor William Shakespeare, from whose "Richard III" this was freely adapted.
- ConnectionsEdited from Tower of London (1939)
Review
Featured review
The madness of King Richard!
The team of Roger Corman and Vincent Price is undoubtedly most famous for the adaptations of Edgar Allen Poe's works, but it would be unwise to ignore this interpretation of William Shakespeare's play 'Richard III' as it's one of the duo's finest hours! This same story was brought to the screen 23 years earlier with the 1939 film of the same name (also featuring Vincent Price), but Corman's version, although obviously made on a limited budget is still a great version of the tale. The plot features prominent themes of envy, greed and insanity, and the story of one of England's most famous rulers is interesting for its own merits, and Corman's portrayal of it makes it interesting for fans of classic horror also. The plot begins with the death of the current king of England, Richard's brother. The throne is intended to go to the brother's son, but King Richard has other ideas as he begins to murder all those that stand in his path to the most coveted seat in the country. However, what he doesn't count on is his conscience getting in the way; and before long, he is being haunted by the ghosts of his victims.
Every film in the Corman's Poe Anthology is filmed in colour, but here Corman shoots on black and white film, and it does the story no end of favours as the atmosphere always feel thick and foreboding, and gorgeous shots of smoke filled locations help to increase the tension. The fact that the film stars the great Vincent Price is most definitely its strongest element. Price is best at playing villains and people suffering from mental torment, and here he gets to do both in the meaty role of King Richard III. Price's acting style certainly suits Shakespearian roles as he's never afraid to go over the top, and I'm sure Corman was always happy to capitalise on this fact as Price is allowed to let rip completely during many instances of the film. Price also manages to look sinister while he's being hammy, and just small things such as the little hat that Price wears give him an understated villainy that suits the role like a glove. The supernatural elements of the film are well utilised, and Corman is happy to capitalise on the horror aspects of the play at all times. The ending is a little abrupt, but overall, this film is a definite 'hit' and one that shouldn't be missed by Price, Corman and even Shakespeare fans!
Every film in the Corman's Poe Anthology is filmed in colour, but here Corman shoots on black and white film, and it does the story no end of favours as the atmosphere always feel thick and foreboding, and gorgeous shots of smoke filled locations help to increase the tension. The fact that the film stars the great Vincent Price is most definitely its strongest element. Price is best at playing villains and people suffering from mental torment, and here he gets to do both in the meaty role of King Richard III. Price's acting style certainly suits Shakespearian roles as he's never afraid to go over the top, and I'm sure Corman was always happy to capitalise on this fact as Price is allowed to let rip completely during many instances of the film. Price also manages to look sinister while he's being hammy, and just small things such as the little hat that Price wears give him an understated villainy that suits the role like a glove. The supernatural elements of the film are well utilised, and Corman is happy to capitalise on the horror aspects of the play at all times. The ending is a little abrupt, but overall, this film is a definite 'hit' and one that shouldn't be missed by Price, Corman and even Shakespeare fans!
helpful•133
- The_Void
- Jul 23, 2006
Details
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- 1 hour 19 minutes
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