Product Details

• Actors: Paul Scofield, Irene Worth, Alan Webb, Patrick Magee, Jack MacGowran
• Directors: Peter Brook
• Format: NTSC, Black & White
• Language: English
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video; Orion
• Run Time: 138 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002AAPQW
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,606 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Movie description: Director Peter Brook's adaptation of Shakespeare's towering play. The film stars Paul Scofield ("A Man For All Seasons") as a harrowing, mythic King Lear, a great, gray beast of a man lumbering toward the Void, a king mired in his own folly and in the duplicity of a world he thought he could control. Lear's daughters are stunningly cast: Goneril (Irene Worth), Regan (Susan Engel), and Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold). Director Brook chose to shoot his exteriors on Denmark's Jutland Peninsula, a visually staunch and bleak environment, and to costume his cast in primitive garb emphasizing the raw human emotions that drive the play. Through use of an ongoing juxtaposition of close-ups and long-shots Brook emphasizes the tragic inner workings of the embattled Lear, bringing Scofield's magnificent performance to the fore. The exceptional cast also includes Cyril Cusack and Patrick Magee. "A film of real poetry and power." ~ Jack Kroll, Newsweek</i>

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A King Lear like no other..., May 22, 2004

By	Another Opinion "midnightsun" (Heartland, USA) - See all my reviews

Director Peter Brook's adaptation of Shakespeare's towering play was made under the influence of Polish theater critic Jan Kott, who focused on the contemporary, existential aspects of the playwright's work. As a result, the film, which stars Paul Scofield as the eponymous monarch, seems less about the betrayal of an arrogant father by his grasping children, than about a Beckett character wandering the landscape of a meaningless universe. When Lear has decided it's time to divide his realm among his daughters Goneril (Irene Worth), Regan (Susan Engel), and Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold), he foolishly disinherits the latter for her honesty. The other sisters quickly dispense with their father's claims to dignity, and, traumatized by their cruelty, the ex-ruler is soon wandering the moors and ranting at the elements, in the company of his loyal Fool (Jack McGowran).

As another reviewer put it: "The power of the text is given full rein in stunning performances, in particular that of Paul Scofield, an actor of breathtaking skill, emotional depth and humility. Full accolades must go to Scofield, with his craggy face, startling eyes and suitably moody performance." And I heartily agree. Scofield's performance is incredible. This is one Lear you won't soon forget.

(This is a very difficult video to find -- some libraries still have it, and I found it there. If you can find a copy, consider yourself most fortunate. You'll find occasion to watch this excellent production by the Royal Shakespeare Company more than once!)

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brooks improves on perfection, March 26, 2005

By	antistat "kensboy" (Culver City, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

Shakespeare, Peter Brooks, Paul Schofield and Jack McGowan. My God, this movie is good. Will someone explain to me why it's not been released on DVD? It sliced my soul when I first saw it over 30 years ago. It continues to touch me deep down where the meanings are with it's relentless look at human despair and courage at the mercy of random fate. "We are to the gods like flies to wanton boys. They kill us for their sport".

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting Performance by Paul Scofield, February 13, 2006

By	Gerard D. Launay (Berkeley, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I have never seen a better Lear - on film or in the theatre. This is such a difficult role as the King moves from pride and
folly to anger and bitterness, to madness, and then to humility and understanding. Peter Brook films the play in the winter of England which adds to the bleakness of the tragedy. The visuals are stunning in black and white - an outstanding choice to
bring out the mythic nature of the play. Outstanding...should be on DVD.