The classic Shakespearean play about a murderously scheming King staged in an alternative fascist England setting.
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Title: Richard III (1995)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 |
Christopher Bowen | ... | Prince Edward |
| Edward Jewesbury | ... | King Henry | |
| Ian McKellen | ... | Richard III | |
| Bill Paterson | ... | Ratcliffe | |
| Annette Bening | ... | Queen Elizabeth | |
|
|
Matthew Groom | ... | Young Prince |
| John Wood | ... | King Edward | |
| Nigel Hawthorne | ... | Clarence | |
| Maggie Smith | ... | Duchess of York | |
| Kate Steavenson-Payne | ... | Princess Elizabeth | |
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... | Rivers | |
| Tres Hanley | ... | Air Hostess | |
| Tim McInnerny | ... | Catesby | |
|
|
Stacey Kent | ... | Ballroom Singer |
| Jim Carter | ... | Lord William Hastings | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
William Shakespeare's classic play is brought into the present with the setting as Great Britian in the 1930s. Civil war has erupted with the House of Lancaster on one side, claiming the right to the British throne and hoping to bring freedom to the country. Opposing is the House of York, commanded by the infamous Richard who rules over a fascist government and hopes to install himself as a dictator monarch. Written by Anthony Hughes <husnock31@hotmail.com>
Taglines:
...I am determined to prove a villain, and hate the idle pleasures of these days... See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 December 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ricardo III See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
£6,000,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$2,600,000Company Credits
Production Co:
Mayfair Entertainment International,British Screen Productions,Bayly/Paré Productions See more »
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Prince of Wales: Goodnight Father.
King Henry: Goodnight son.
Prince of Wales: Goodnight your majesty.
See more »
(uncredited)
Composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Dame Maggie Smith and Jim Carter appeared on Downton Abbey (2010). See more »Goofs
Richard III died aged 32, after reigning for 2 years. Ian McKellen was in his mid-50s during filming and no attempt is made to hide his age. However he was not the first or last middle-aged actor to play the role. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Prince of Wales: Goodnight Father.
King Henry: Goodnight son.
Prince of Wales: Goodnight your majesty.
See more »
Alternate Versions
The UK (video) release has the cast credits in order of appearance. See more »Soundtracks
Te Deum: Marche en rondeau prelude(uncredited)
Composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
See more »
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Shakespeare's tragedy set in 1940s war-torn England.
As someone who loves Shakespeare, I grant a lot of latitude and respect to any person who can get these modern versions produced. The vogue now is to alter the time period, while still holding, generally speaking, to the original plot and language. As usual with the movies, its now done so often that traditional Shakespeare has become a custom more honored in the breach than in the observance. (forgive me!) This is ok, it takes the evil Richard III and plops him into the role of fascist usurper and dictator, during the notorious fascist period of England's history. I know, try and not overthink it. The acting and collection of performers are both first rate, and the film offers interesting moments for both the novice and expert Shakespearean student. There is one thing and it is what prompted me to even write this. If you notice during Richard's ascendance, a formal ball is thrown and a Vera Lynn type woman is shown singing a Glenn Miller type tune. You know you have never heard it, but yet is eerily memorable. I find out years later (today in fact) it is a Christopher Marlowe poem, clevely fitted to a WW2 sounding musical number. Somehow, its just real creepy and its in keeping with the mood of the entire movie. Upsetting and unnerving, with the evil spread just a little too generously over the characters. If you have a big blender, and throw in a copy of 1984, Richard III, and Godfather III, this is what you would end up with.