The classic Shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15th-century king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s England as clouds of fascism gather.
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Title: Richard III (1995)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Christopher Bowen | ... | Prince Edward of Lancaster | |
| Edward Jewesbury | ... | King Henry VI | |
| Ian McKellen | ... | Richard III - Duke of Gloucester | |
| Bill Paterson | ... | Ratcliffe | |
| Annette Bening | ... | Queen Elizabeth | |
 |
Matthew Groom | ... | Young Prince Richard of York |
| John Wood | ... | King Edward IV | |
| Nigel Hawthorne | ... | Duke of Clarence | |
| Maggie Smith | ... | Duchess of York | |
| Kate Steavenson-Payne | ... | Princess Elizabeth of York | |
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... | Lord Rivers | |
| Tres Hanley | ... | Air Hostess | |
| Tim McInnerny | ... | Catesby | |
|
|
Stacey Kent | ... | Ballroom Singer |
| Jim Carter | ... | Lord William Hastings | |
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Plot Summary
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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 III (Sir Ian McKellen), who rules over a fascist government and hopes to install himself as a dictator monarch. Written by Anthony Hughes <husnock31@hotmail.com>
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Power Conquers All See more »Parents Guide:
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Prince Edward: Goodnight, your majesty.
King Henry: Goodnight, son.
Prince Edward: Father.
See more »
Paraphrased from "The Passionate Shepherd to his Love,(1599)" by Christopher Marlowe
Performed by Stacey Kent and Vile Bodies
Music composed by Trevor Jones
Arranged by Colin Good
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Since this movie is set in the alternative 20th century, Sir Ian McKellen had some trouble setting the location for Act 3 Scene 1, where the Prince of Wales meets Richard before being sent to the Tower. Someone suggested that the royals usually arrive in London by rail. The scene was eventually known to everyone in this movie as the "Victoria Station" scene. See more »Goofs
As Edward finishes his dance with Queen Elizabeth (at the beginning) and they walk off the dance floor, the young prince slips and falls. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Prince Edward: Goodnight, your majesty.
King Henry: Goodnight, son.
Prince Edward: Father.
See more »
Alternate Versions
The UK (video) release has the cast credits in order of appearance. See more »Soundtracks
Come Live With MeParaphrased from "The Passionate Shepherd to his Love,(1599)" by Christopher Marlowe
Performed by Stacey Kent and Vile Bodies
Music composed by Trevor Jones
Arranged by Colin Good
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
See more »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 December 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Richard III See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
GBP6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$91,915, 1 January 1996Gross USA:
$2,684,904Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$2,748,518Company Credits
Production Co:
Mayfair Entertainment International, British Screen Productions, Bayly/Paré Productions See more »
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IMDbPro »
Many productions throughout the years have presented Shakespeare in updated formats in order to make his plays more
contemporary with varying results. This production is one of the
most successful. Sir Ian McKellan's extraordinary performance
makes his character, although thoroughly self-serving, incredibly
magnetic. The film is enhanced by many other exceptional
performances, most notably by Robert Downey Jr., Jim Broadbent
and Kristin Scott Thomas. The setting makes the story more
realistic to modern viewers, which helps it to avoid the stiff, stagy
quality seen in most productions of this work. Making
Shakespeare more accessible to today's viewers without
butchering his amazing language is no mean feat, but this film
accomplishes it handily.