He reprised the role of the wizard gandalf in the threepart the hobbit movie. The ian mckellen you dont really know outtake medium. Widely considered one of the leading british actors of his generation, ian mckellen has had a rich and varied career encompassing the stage, screen, and television. Ian mckellen full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. Awardwinning film adapation brings shakespeares richard iii into a twentieth century setting. Loncraine then produced the film, again starring ian mckellan as richard iii, updated into a nationalsocialist timeframe.
Annette bening, who appeared in the film richard iii, quoted in usa today, november 4, 1998. The movie was released in the year 1995 and was directed by richard loncraine. So it seems like richard iii should be a winner since it tells the classic tale and moves it to 1940s england in a world where a nazi leader murders his way to the throne. Written by anthony hughes plot summary add synopsis. Nov, 2014 long before he was gandalf or magneto, ian mckellen was a shakespearean actor, frequently performing with the u. A synopsis of the film adaptation of shakespeares richard iii by ian mckellen and richard loncraine. The bbc states that his performances have guaranteed him a place in the canon of english stage and film actors. Best ian mckellen movies that you can watch if you are lord. How did besties ian mckellen and patrick stewart meet. A s a special event to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death, here for one night only 28 april is richard loncraines terrifically exciting and lucid movie version of richard iii. When youre turning a play into a movie and thats what weve done with richard iii, the richard iii you see on the big screen with digital sound is no longer a play, its been.
Though the story remains faithful to shakespeares play about the ambitious and twisted. Ian mckellen has one last mystery to solve in the trailer for mr. Drama oorlog film geregisseerd door richard loncraine. Five great british interpretations of shakespeares richard iii. Jan 16, 2020 the movie was set in an alternative fascist england setting. Hes open about his sexuality, hes a great artist and he exudes love and joy. Now look at a small touch added to the scene by richard iii, the new film by richard loncraine and ian mckellen. Ian mckellen biography, movie highlights and photos allmovie. A murderous lust for the british throne sees richard iii ian mckellen descend into madness.
Richard iii ian mckellans nazi shakespeare movie rewind. Now look at a small touch added to the scene by richard iii, the new film by richard loncraine and ian mckellan. Maggie smith in richard iii 1995 annette bening and richard loncraine in. It was based on an acclaimed royal national theatre stage production by richard eyre that also starred mckellen. Those who missed those wonderful evenings cant know from. 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.
Richard iii is the 1995 film adaptation of the shakespeare play starring ian mckellen as the title character. Richard loncraines exciting and lucid shakespearean adaptation from. Streaming on amazon, richard iii relocates to 1930s britain, where richard ian mckellen is a fascist trying to usurp the throne after a fictional civil war ends with his older brother as king. Adapted from shakespeares tragedy by ian mckellen and richard loncraine annette bening is queen elizabeth. Steeped in fascist iconography, the film openly draws from the aesthetic of the third reich, a stylistic choice that emphasizes the pure evil at the heart of richard s agenda. The most brilliant aspect of this film is that sir ian mckellen and richard loncraine transported the story of the 1480s to a fiction 1930s, with richard iii as a fascist dictator in the style of mussolini.
Ian mckellen recently visited new york and spoke to us about filming fotr, working with ian holm, and gave us a few exciting details about the two towers. Richard iii is ian mckellens glorious rendition of an absolute. Ian mckellen portrays the titular richard, as well as cowriting the screenplay with loncraine. Mckellens 1995 take on richard iii directed by richard loncraine, and streaming on tribeca shortlist now updates the costume and setting from the 15th century to. Richard iii is a 1995 british drama film adapted from william shakespeares play of the same name, starring ian mckellen, annette bening, jim broadbent, robert downey jr. Bloom thought sir ian mckellen was the greatest richard iii he had ever.
Richard iii is a 1995 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play of the same name, directed by richard loncraine. Perfectly acted, almost flawlessly directed, with very little overweight, this film is a. Sir ian says he wants to be tour leader as he launches bfis shakespeare on film programme. News people sir ian mckellen to host london bus tour of richard iii filming locations. Richard iii 1995 stream and watch online moviefone. Mckellen also inhabited the title role of richard iii for director richard eyre for the royal national theatre, an innovative production that updated the period and setting of the play to 1930s. Bought the german subtitle version as it was the only one available on the market for a reasonable price.
Met ian mckellen, annette bening en robert downey jr. Richard iii is a united artists presentation of a baylypare production, with the participation of british screen, developed in association with first look pictures. It looks so much like a rights dispute as this play is just pure magic. Richard mckellan softens up anne kristin scott thomas with flattery, sophistry and lies, and finally offers her a ring, which she accepts. For it was the images that made this film float and it was the images that stayed with me long after id first seen the movie. Ian mckellens favourite shakespeare roles on film film. I think thats connected with my public coming out ten years ago. Ian mckellens unearthed lord of the rings set diaries are. Richard iii internet movie firearms database guns in. Directed by richard loncraine, the film costars annette bening, kristin scott thomas, jim broadbent, robert downey, jr. It is true that shakespeare is the author of richard iii of course, much of shakespeares authoring involved heavy borrowing, redaction and crafting. Adapted by ian mckellen and richard loncraine, from the national theatres acclaimed stage production by richard eyre, richard iii features an allstar cast, including.
Indeed, i left my first viewing of ian mckellans richard iii wondering if it could be done just as brilliantly if it had been a silent film this despite my love for the language of shakespeare. A shakespearean classic reimagined in fictional, fascist england. Bloom thought sir ian mckellen was the greatest richard iii he had ever seen, and richard loncraines 1995 film is based on mckellen s famous 1990 national theater performance. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, england is torn by civil war, split between the. Richard iii is a 1995 film adaptation of the play by william shakespeare, directed by richard loncraine and starring ian mckellen. Dec 29, 1995 portraying shakespeares most monstrous monarch, mr.
Sir ian mckellen to host london bus tour of richard iii. Travel guide to film locations for richard iii 1995, with ian mckellen, in london and southeast england. Apr 21, 2016 a s a special event to mark the 400th anniversary of shakespeares death, here for one night only 28 april is richard loncraines terrifically exciting and lucid movie version of richard iii. He achieved worldwide fame for his film roles, including the titular king in richard iii 1995, james whale in gods and monsters 1998, magneto in the xmen films, and gandalf in the lord of the rings and the hobbit trilogies. This reimagining of shakespeares crookback king relocates the story in 1930 and features an indelible star turn for ian mckellen as the monstrous and magnetic king.
Mckellen reimagines richard as a rex harrison type, a suave machiavellian master of. The film sets the play in 1930s britain with richard as a fascist sympathiser. Richard iii will be simulcast to uk cinemas from bfi southbank on 28 april, alongside a live onstage discussion between ian mckellen and director richard loncraine. The cast also includes annette bening as queen elizabeth, jim broadbent as the duke of buckingham, robert downey jr.
Ian mckellen is great in the titular role and is the main reason why i rate the film up. Richard iii as a fascist dictator ian mckellen in the 1996 film. With ian mckellen, annette bening, christopher bowen, edward jewesbury. Thorin oakenshield is a jerk ian mckellen to play cogsworth in disneys liveaction beauty and the beast. Richard iii 1995 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Richard iii is ian mckellens glorious rendition of an absolute villain.
Sir ian mckellen in the 1996 movie version of richard iii over the next year or so, both benedict cumberbatch and his sherlock colleague martin freeman will be playing the lead in parallel productions of shakespeares richard iii. Film clip courtesy of mgm consumer productssee all videos for this article. If youre looking for a compelling portrait of british royalty, try ian mckellen and richard loncraines gutsy, 30sset adaptation. Mckellen reimagines richard as a rex harrison type, a suave machiavellian master of disinformation and corporate gamesmanship with the soul of. So it shouldnt be a huge surprise that he coproduced and cowrote a film version of richard iii. A renowned stage actor in his native britain for decades, mckellen was not familiar to most american audiences until the 90s, when he began popping up in a number of wellreceived films. Richard mckellen softens up anne kristin scott thomas with flattery, sophistry and lies, and finally offers her a ring, which she accepts. It sets the play in an england of an alternate timeline, which clearly evokes 1930s fascism.
Ian mckellen in a scene from richard iii ian mckellen as richard iii gloating, was ever woman in this humour wooed. Ian mckellens 10 best movies richard iii 1995, with ian mckellen, in london and southeast england. The film adapts the plays story and characters to a setting based on 1930s britain, with richard depicted as a fascist plotting to usurp the throne. It also starred christopher bowen, robert downey jr, edward jewesbury, bill paterson, annette bening, and maggie smith. Ian mckellen movie celebrity database celebrity filmography. Mckellen and loncraine collaborated on writing the screenplay, based on the stage production by richard eyre from the play by william shakespeare. This is one of the movies you remember for a long time and for all the good. Ian mckellen brought richard iii to the curran in 1992 and his entertaining oneman show acting shakespeare to san francisco twice.
By the end of the richard iii experience you will love the film, have a profound respect for mckellen, and be thankful to the bfi putting this all. 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. Why was richard iii with sir ian mckellen never reissued on dvd with english subtitles. Richard iii critics consensus this reimagining of shakespeares crookback king relocates the story in 1930 and features an indelible star turn for ian mckellen as the monstrous and magnetic king. Adapted from shakespeares tragedy by ian mckellen and richard loncraine. Portraying shakespeares most monstrous monarch, mr.
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