Richard III (1995 movie) - Definition

Richard III is a 1995 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Richard III, starring Sir Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent, and Robert Downey Jr..

The film relocates the play's events to a fictional version of England in what appears to be a fascist-inspired 1930s, although the film includes many historical anachronisms. The film's concept was based on a stage production directed by Richard Eyre for the Royal National Theatre, which also starred McKellen. The production was adapted for the screen by McKellen and directed by Richard Loncraine.

The film is notable for its unconventional use of famous London landmarks, often using special effects to move them to new locations. The transformed landmarks used include the following:

• St Pancras railway station is relocated to Westminster and becomes King Edward's seat of government.
• Battersea Power Station is relocated to the coast of Kent and becomes a bombed-out military base.
• Bankside Power Station becomes the prison where Clarence is held.
• Brighton Pavilion is relocated to a coastal clifftop and becomes King Edward's country retreat.
• The Shell Building's art deco clock is depicted being on the top floor of Richard's seat of government.

Perhaps the play's most famous line - "A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" - was recontextualised by the new setting; during the climactic battle, Richard's jeep is put out of action, and his lament is cast as a plea for any mode of transport, even one as lowly as a horse.

See also

• Richard III for a list of other film adaptions of the play

External links

• McKellen's website about the film (http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/richard) including an annotated copy of the screenplay.
• Richard III (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114279/) at the Internet Movie Database