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King Lear

Play trailer Poster for King Lear PG-13,  1971,  2h 16m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 67% 6 Reviews Tomatometer 72% 100+ Ratings Popcornmeter
67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
King Lear (Paul Scofield) is a proud man who solicits praise from his three daughters in return for inheritance of the kingdom. Daughters Goneril (Irene Worth) and Regan (Susan Engel) profess their affection vehemently. Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold), who does not respect the process her father has chosen, does not humor him. Lear's perceived rejection from Cordelia leads him to banish her, thus splitting the kingdom between the other two. His hasty decision becomes his fatal error.

Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times Mar 18, 2020
King Lear Is, I think, Brook at his manic best. It triumphantly ignores both romantic and naturalistic traditions to achieve something akin to the so-called new theater in film terms. Go to Full Review
David Robinson Financial Times Mar 18, 2020
It seems always characteristic of Brook's] films, in contrast to his stage work, that at the last moment he loses nerve, loses confidence in his material, and feels the compulsion aggressively to assent on "cinematographic" personality and style. Go to Full Review
Derek Malcolm Guardian Mar 18, 2020
Even if it doesn't wholly convince. the film was surely worth the try. Taken in isolation, there's some astonishing work involved. Go to Full Review
Dilys Powell Sunday Times (UK) Mar 18, 2020
Above all, Mr Brook has allowed a notable cast to feel and use, really to use the marvellous language. Go to Full Review
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King Lear

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Brook

Director

Paul Scofield

King Lear

Irene Worth

Goneril

Cyril Cusack

Albany

Susan Engel

Regan

Jack MacGowran

Fool

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King Lear

King Lear (1971) King Lear (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis King Lear (Paul Scofield) is a proud man who solicits praise from his three daughters in return for inheritance of the kingdom. Daughters Goneril (Irene Worth) and Regan (Susan Engel) profess their affection vehemently. Cordelia (Anne-Lise Gabold), who does not respect the process her father has chosen, does not humor him. Lear's perceived rejection from Cordelia leads him to banish her, thus splitting the kingdom between the other two. His hasty decision becomes his fatal error.
Director
Peter Brook
Producer
Jørgen Mydtskov
Screenwriter
William Shakespeare
Production Co
Filmways Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Violent Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 16m
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