{"id":82736,"date":"2022-04-04T00:26:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T07:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=82736"},"modified":"2022-04-04T08:25:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T15:25:14","slug":"richard-iii-1956","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=82736","title":{"rendered":"Richard III (1956)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster-203x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-82738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster-203x300.png 203w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster-182x270.png 182w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Poster.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn 15th century England, hunchbacked Richard the Duke of Gloucester (Laurence Olivier) seeks support from his cousin the Duke of Buckingham (Ralph Richardson) in gradually bringing down all those ahead of him in line to the throne &#8212; including King Edward (Cedric Hardwicke) himself, their brother George (John Gielgud), and Edward&#8217;s young children; but Richard soon becomes increasingly paranoid that his newly won success is in jeopardy.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Claire Bloom Films<\/li>\n<li>John Gielgud Films<\/li>\n<li>Laurence Olivier Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Ralph Richardson Films<\/li>\n<li>Royalty and Nobility<\/li>\n<li>Ruthless Leaders<\/li>\n<li>Shakespeare<\/li>\n<li>Siblings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary doesn&#8217;t review this BAFTA-winning adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_III_(play)\">Shakespeare&#8217;s play<\/a>, but he does name Laurence Olivier Best Actor of the Year in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>, where he describes Olivier&#8217;s work as &#8220;riveting&#8221; and calls it &#8220;one of the finest performances of the decade.&#8221; He points out that &#8220;Olivier the director wisely had Olivier the actor deliver Richard&#8217;s soliloquies to us, in a direct manner to suggest it gives him pleasure to reveal his diabolical nature, confess heinous past crimes, and plot aloud his future atrocities to an audience who can do nothing about it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-1024x640.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-1024x640.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue-432x270.png 432w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Monologue.png 1071w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He notes that Olivier&#8217;s Richard &#8220;is as straightforward with us as he is duplicitous with those in the English court,&#8221; and writes, &#8220;As he strides into a long shot so we can get a good look at his gnarled form or moves to within an inch of the camera, he reveals a sly wit, a frightening ferocity and egocentricity, and a snide superiority and vengeful anger toward the nondeformed world he wants to &#8216;bustle in&#8217;.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-1024x617.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"386\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-1024x617.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-768x463.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry-448x270.png 448w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Power-Hungry.png 1117w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He adds, &#8220;What is jolting as he speaks to us is that he isn&#8217;t the typical madman lusting for power, but a clear-headed, ambitious schemer extraordinaire.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>For those unfamiliar with the play (like me), it will take a bit of research to understand how all the specific characters fit into place &#8212; but the overall sense that <em>no one<\/em> will be spared from Richard&#8217;s evil is crystal clear. Peary writes that &#8220;Olivier&#8217;s Richard expresses the same amusement and amazement as we do that his bold plot works so smoothly, that he can eliminate his opposition one by one without anyone being the wiser, and that, in a creepy scene, he can seduce the virtuous Lady Anne [Claire Bloom] and have her kiss him lewdly although she wants him dead and is not physically attracted to him.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-1024x615.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-1024x615.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-768x461.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom-449x270.png 449w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Bloom.png 1110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The supporting performances throughout are excellent; while Olivier wanted Orson Welles to play Buckingham, I think Richardson fits the bill nicely as his right-hand schemer: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-1024x629.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"393\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-1024x629.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-768x472.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson-440x270.png 440w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Richardson.png 1109w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the VistaVision cinematography and historic sets are gorgeous. This film isn&#8217;t an easy watch, but it&#8217;s worth the effort. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Laurence Olivier as Richard III<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-1024x613.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"383\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-1024x613.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-768x459.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned-451x270.png 451w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Olivier-Crowned.png 1105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Otto Heller&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-768x454.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown-457x270.png 457w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Brown.png 1121w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Roger Furse&#8217;s production design and Carmen Dillon&#8217;s art direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-82747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-768x454.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2-457x270.png 457w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Richard-III-Sets2.png 1128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for Olivier&#8217;s performance and as an overall powerful Shakespearean adaptation. Listed as a film with Historical Relevance and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book, and nominated as one of the Best Pictures of the Year in <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0049674\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/88184\/richard-iii#articles-reviews?articleId=218175\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1127rich.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead.&#8221; Synopsis: In 15th century England, hunchbacked Richard the Duke of Gloucester (Laurence Olivier) seeks support from his cousin the Duke of Buckingham (Ralph Richardson) in gradually bringing down all those ahead of him in line to the throne &#8212; including King Edward (Cedric Hardwicke) himself, their brother George (John Gielgud), and Edward&#8217;s young children; but Richard soon becomes increasingly paranoid that his newly won success is in jeopardy. Genres, Themes, Actors,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=82736\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=82736"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82766,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82736\/revisions\/82766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=82736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=82736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=82736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}