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Rating:  - Olivier creates a disgusting yet charismatic Richard
Shakespeare's Richard is a villian of a most terrifying persuasion: An intelligent man of extreme privilege and rank who also routinely manipulates and murders friends and relatives for his own political gain. Olivier portrays the fiend with his trademark excellence.
Olivier's skills are in full glory as he becomes the unctious Duke of Gloucester; During the soliloquies, He shares his depraved and bitter complots with the viewer by speaking directly to the camera. It creates the effect that Richard is sharing his secrets with you in confidence, and allows Olivier to give you a "private" showing of his incredible depth in expression and physical gesture, and his astounding richness in vocal characterization. His Richard is also paradoxical, and his portrayal at times approaches farce. He paints the picture of a pampered, prating, and downright prissy Gloucester, but who also has a heart of dark hate and nerves of steel.
The amazing fact is that Olivier's Richard is actually likeable. The text calls for characters in the play to find Gloucester's charm and confidence so overwhelming that he wins their loyalty, and Olivier plays this part effectively. Part of this Richard's charm is a brash sissiness that cloaks his vile treachery. But his manner flatters the viewer as well. He seems at times to be almost winking at the audience, mocking his prey before us as he uses them. The fact that Richard can successfully woo even the audience makes me feel a palpable element of parody in the film, which gives it a sense of depth I really enjoy.
Enjoyable also is the work of the supporting cast: Sir Ralph Richardson as a wry but reasonable Buckingham, Sir John Gielgud as a hapless Clarence, unknowingly sent to execution by his evil brother Richard, Claire Bloom as the pathetic Lady Anne, hostage to Richard's lying heart. I will mention however, The actor who played Lord Hastings was woefully inadequate. His and a few other minor parts were portrayed with exceeding dullness and detracted from the overall.
But on the whole, I would put this in the highest class of Shakepearean rendition, with Olivier's vision as director and performance as actor as the two chief reasons.
Rating:  - a little disappointing
This movie had good stage sets and Laurence Olivier made a rather good performance. I know that this movie was supposed to follow Shakespeare's play but this subject could have been a lot more interesting if made into a drama (which would of course require some historical license taking). Maybe its just me but I find Shakespeare a little boring.
However, the end of the movie depicting the battle of Bosworth was tacky as hell! It looked as if it were filmed on the African savannah. It was clearly not merry old England.
Rating: - Shakespeare's most fun play
Richard III is easily Shakespeare's most fun character. You almost end up rooting for the guy despite his dastardly deeds. Don't take this as history (the real Richard wasn't deformed and it is highly doubtful whether he killed anybody who didn't deserve it), but pop it in and have a great time.
Rating: - Most Powerful Movie
I first saw this movie on Public TV in 1978. It sparked an interest in English literature that had been smothered in school. The movie, with its unmatched anywhere performance by Laurence Olivier, was my favorite movie that year. Twenty years later it is still my favorite movie.
Rating: - "Now is the winter of our discontent"....no DVD!
On television the other day, I caught part of Al Pacino's close encounters of a Third kind i.e. a Richard III kind. If I recall correctly, someone in the Pacino piece said that Richard III is the most popular of Shakepeare's plays. If so, where is the DVD of the very best film of this play? It just cries out to be produced.
Olivier's performance is superb and will probably never be excelled. The play covers the gamut of human emotions from jealousy, deceit, love, loyalty, anger, sadness, etc. There is never a dull moment as the scenes are filmed in such a fluid and beautiful manner. This is a true classic film of one of the bard's greatest works!
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