This is a peculiar updating of Shakespeare's play to the Thirties fairly races through the Bard's text and adding some historical elements. Dazzling and stagy entertainment about the ruthless and power-hungry Richard III being haunted by those he has killed . A deranged Lord competently performed by the great Ian McKellen mercilessly murdering his way to the English throne, during a dystopian England in the thirties . Great Britain kingdom is ruled by a sicked Edward IV who violently deposed the previous fleeble King . A web of intrigue veils the lives of all who know only too well that today's friends might be tomorrow's enemies . This interesting film deals with the story of mean Richard III Crookback , 6th in throne succession, while his brother king Henry IV -John Wood- appoints Clarence as Lord Protector of the Realm and preceptor his children . But aside from Edward , his other brother , Clarence -Sir Nigel Hawthorne- , and Edward's two young sons also stand between Richard and the crown of England . Subsequently , Richard eliminates those ahead of him in succession to throne then occupied by his ill brother Edward IV . As Richard , Duke of Gloucester , results to be a dominant , unstoppable , nasty lord , gross black spider of a figure that devours or possesses everything on its path . What Is Worth Dying For... Is Worth Killing For. I can smile, and murder while I smile . Power Conquers All...I am determined to prove a villain, and hate the idle pleasures of these days... Mother England meets Father Terror ? You will need someone to hand onto when you come face to face with the blood-chilling terror in the tower !
Enjoyable and hypnotic amusement for Ian McKellen enthusiasts , resulting to be a sophisticated remake from classy Laurence Olivier version . The film turns out to be like a Shakespearean theatrical drama set in a fascist society . Give it high marks for originality and admire some striking set pieces , but hand the superior and real crown to Laurence Olivier's 1956 vintage movie . This awesome movie being partially based on historic events , during Two Roses War, Red Rose (York House) ruled by Edward IV and Richard III followers and White Rose (Lancaster House) , Henry VII followers who defeat to them . Finally , there takes place the Battle of Bosworth , in which Richard III is vanquished and a new ruler called Henry VII takes over the kingdom . The picture profits from a terrific cast who gives over-the-top interpretations . Ian McKellen provides an incisive role featuring an acclaimed acting . He plays a camera-adressing fascist , seems far too easily bested at the end . Being well accompanied by a prestigious secondary cast , such as : John Wood as King Edward IV , Nigel Hawthorne as Duke of Clarence, Annette Bening ,Tim McInnerny , Jim Carter , Bill Paterson, Maggie Smith , the best performance comes from Jim Broadbent and Robert Downey Jr but unfortunately his role doesn't last very long .
Other movies regarding this historical character are as follows : "Tower of London 1939" by Rowland V Lee with Basil Rathbone , Boris Karloff and Vincent Price who coincidentally appeared here as the doomed Duke of Clarence . "Richard III 1956" starred and directed by Laurence Olivier with Jean Simmons , Ralph Richardson , John Gielgud , Sir Cedric Hardwicke , Peter Cushing , this is the landmark version of the Shakespearean play . ¨Tower of London¨(1962) by Roger Corman with Vincent Price , Michael Pate , Joan Freeman, Richard Hale , Robert Brown and Sandra Knight, it is really a terror film in the wake of Allan Poe/Roger Corman adaptations . And this modern take on "Richard III" by Richard Loncraine with Ian McKellen, Jim Broadbent , Robert Downey Jr , Nigel Hawthorne , being set in an imagined 1930s London if swanky Art Deco .
