{"id":92271,"date":"2023-10-05T19:50:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T02:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=92271"},"modified":"2023-10-05T21:52:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T04:52:46","slug":"king-lear-1970","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=92271","title":{"rendered":"King Lear (1970)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Nothing will come of nothing; speak again.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster-196x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-92281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster-196x300.png 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster-176x270.png 176w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Poster.png 613w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen an aging king (Paul Scofield) attempts to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters &#8212; Goneril (Irene Worth), Regan (Susan Engel), and Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold) &#8212; based on their purported love for him, he quickly discovers that their loyalties are not what he expected; meanwhile, his friend the Duke of Gloucester (Alan Webb) experiences filial issues of his own, as his &#8220;bastard&#8221; son Edmund (Ian Hogg) seeks vengeance against his half-brother Edgar (Robert Lloyd).\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>Family Problems<\/li>\n<li>Grown Children<\/li>\n<li>Inheritance<\/li>\n<li>Paul Scofield Films<\/li>\n<li>Peter Brook Films<\/li>\n<li>Royalty and Nobility <\/li>\n<li>Shakespeare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeter Brook adapted his acclaimed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rsc.org.uk\/king-lear\/past-productions\/in-focus-peter-brook-1962\">1962 Royal Shakespeare Theatre production<\/a> of <em>King Lear<\/em> into this b&#038;w cinematic rendition, once again starring Scofield in the title role, Worth as Goneril, Webb as Gloucester, and Tom Fleming as the Earl of Kent. Set in a bleak Danish landscape (it was partially filmed in the peninsula of Jutland and the sand dune of R\u00e5bjerg Mile), it&#8217;s highly atmospheric: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"973\" height=\"724\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still.png 973w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Cloudy-Still-363x270.png 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 973px) 100vw, 973px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but challenging to follow if you&#8217;re not already familiar with the complex storyline and its players (which involves not just King Lear and his daughters and their romantic interests, but the parallel story with Gloucester and his sons). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"971\" height=\"721\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear.png 971w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Gloucester-Lear-364x270.png 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 971px) 100vw, 971px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, as I started watching, I took plenty of pauses to refresh my own memory (it&#8217;s been many years since I read this play), and was pleased to stumble upon <a href=\"https:\/\/goodticklebrain.com\/king-lear\">Good Tickle Brain&#8217;s stick figure overview<\/a>, which clarified everything &#8212; including how many scenes and tidbits were (likely by necessity) cut. <\/p>\n<p>With that said, Scofield and the rest of the cast are all appropriately brooding for such a brutal tragedy: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"969\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You.png 969w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-We-Obey-You-363x270.png 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 969px) 100vw, 969px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; in which (thank you again, <a href=\"https:\/\/goodticklebrain.com\/home\/2014\/6\/8\/a-stick-figure-king-lear-summary\">Good Tickle Brain<\/a>) the ultimate dead count is 10 out of 12, on top of a hideous eye-gouging. (&#8220;Out, vile jelly! Where is thy luster now?&#8221;) With all that said, I&#8217;m a fan of Brook&#8217;s cinematic style and was visually engaged throughout &#8212; so those interested in his work, or Scofield, will certainly want to check it out. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Paul Scofield as King Lear<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"964\" height=\"726\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8.png 964w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8-768x578.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Scofield8-359x270.png 359w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine performances by the supporting cast<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"970\" height=\"719\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children.png 970w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Plotting-Children-364x270.png 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric direction and cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"970\" height=\"719\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-92285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril.png 970w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/King-Lear-Lear-Goneril-364x270.png 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0067306\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1971\/11\/23\/archives\/screen-peter-brooks-king-lear.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/488482\/king-lear#articles-reviews?articleId=191918\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Nothing will come of nothing; speak again.&#8221; Synopsis: When an aging king (Paul Scofield) attempts to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters &#8212; Goneril (Irene Worth), Regan (Susan Engel), and Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold) &#8212; based on their purported love for him, he quickly discovers that their loyalties are not what he expected; meanwhile, his friend the Duke of Gloucester (Alan Webb) experiences filial issues of his own, as his &#8220;bastard&#8221; son Edmund (Ian Hogg) seeks vengeance against his half-brother&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=92271\"> 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-92271","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\/92271","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=92271"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92305,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92271\/revisions\/92305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=92271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=92271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=92271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}