There are worse things than making a documentary about Shakespeare's "Richard III" that might be of interest to students or people with no previous experience with the play. Unfortunately, Al Pacino is not the person to do it. His 1979 Broadway performance of the part was critically reviled and his depiction of the role in this film indicates that while he was superb as Michael Corleone and Jack Kevorkian and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, Shakespeare's hunchbacked Earl of Gloucester is a part thoroughly out of his range. As a director, he has only a superficial insight into the play and despite surrounding himself with experienced Shakespearean actors (including Kevin Spacey as Buckingham, who would gone on to become a memorable Richard III onstage), the film will only be of interest as a beginner's primer to the play.

If you have no previous experience with Shakespeare or "Richard III" and want to familiarize yourself with it for a class or for your own personal growth, I'd advise you to watch Ian McKellen's 1995 film which brilliantly set the play in a 1930s fascist state reminiscent of Nazi Germany. But anyone who's looking for an indication of the power of Al Pacino's acting, do yourself a favor and rent "Dog Day Afternoon" instead.

The documentary follows the process of staging a play. One of my favorite aspects of the *many* facets to this documentary was the production staff getting frustrated because Pacino gets more and more into the documentary process itself, pushing it harder and further than planned with each milestone achieved. It's hilarious, moving and fascinating. So many layers to this documentary - a complex play, complex accomplished actors and a complex process; staging a play while creating a film about staging a play that is really about L-I-F-E. The many, many layers are so artfully woven in this piece.
The acting is wonderful. The documentary conversation is wonderful. Pacino is beautiful; he's both brilliant and humble. I enjoyed how the documentary format allows the viewer to see how Pacino can be a complete goof, loafing around with friends while walking down the street but then he'll pull in, impromptu, go into character, and hugely fill the space - I think they call it Presence.

This is an excellent documentary/ commentary on both the play of Richard III and Shakespeare. Al Pacino and his crew delves into both the characters in the play, and what relevance it has to today's world. One of the most fun parts of this is Al Pacino himself, playing Richard III and trying to find and show the world meaning behind the bard's words. I certainly never expected Pacino to embrace and be passionate about Shakespeare, but he throws himself into it like everything else he has done, and lends his personality to it. Once again, a great documentary and sure to peak interest in Shakespeare for many.

Very enjoyable to watch the actors noodling out how things ought to be played, very nice to see them as themselves talking about their art. I also enjoyed the opportunities to watch Al Pacino trying out the part of Richard III in various settings, in and out of costume, and so forth. Definitely valuable for a better understanding of this play.

Great. What can I say. Have a friend thats an actor or actor thats a waiter...this just may help explain our passion for the craft.
Al's a gift... But remember it is all about honesty, the best of us are those that hold back nothing...raw. Naturally were all different
as is the ebbs and flows of the populace making populaitity fleeting- but in the theatre, oh in the theaters. The first country to teach nothing but Shakespeare every day for all 12 primary years would be the home to the first Philosopher King.

I really like it but it is one of the worst edited movies ive ever seen, it jumps all over the place, i couldn't tell where the hell in time it
was happening most of the time, the conitnunity is all over the map but it's otherwise a very unique and educationally entertaining documentary

Ever heard of richard the tird? I'd b lyin f I told u r hat. I do, however have read 3 of shakespeares other plays macbeth, juki6s ceasar and macbeth

An extremely enjoyable video. Pacino shows how shakespeare (specifically Richard III) can be fun and understandable. The video is a journey into an attempt to make the play comprehensible,and why most people do not enjoy or understand it. Shakespeare's plays are not written for our current common ear; that must be acknowledged. Yes, the film does not parse Richard III totally. Clearly is not meant to. Instead it shows how to get to the meat of the story and have fun doing it. All the actors...All seem to be having fun with the effort and the fun is contagious. Ignore the shakespeare snobs and their nose raising reviews. They express Pretentious, Egocentric Nonsense.