Richard III
April 2004 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

After his cinematic triumphs with Henry V (1944) and Hamlet (1948), Laurence Olivier wanted to film Macbeth, using authentic Scottish locations, but his producer, Alexander Korda, insisted on Richard III, feeling it would do better at the box office. But the premiere was a curious affair. The movie was shown, albeit in black and white, on NBC television on the same day it opened in the theaters in glorious Technicolor.

Olivier’s performance in this play is impeccable, showing him as an actor’s actor. His Richard is mean-spirited from the get-go, trying to woo The Lady Anne as she weeps at her husband’s coffin. This Richard, feeling cheated by his physical deformities, wants the crown of England, and will go to any length to get it. Olivier was nominated for an Academy Award, but was beaten by Yul Brynner for The King and I.

Ralph Richardson’s sinister Duke of Buckingham skillfully aided and abetted Olivier’s Richard. John Gielgud tossed off the hapless Clarence with great class, and Claire Bloom played the beautiful Lady Anne. Robert White designed the almost surrealistic sets, and Sir William Walton, who had collaborated with Olivier on his previous Shakespeare films, composed the magnificent music. The overall effect was of great theater. Admittedly, the storybook sets and stagy posturing lessen the cinematic experience.

The movie was originally shot in VistaVision, and was intended to be shown in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Criterion has preserved that intention in a magnificent anamorphic transfer that does full justice to the bright primary colors found in the costumes and trappings. Moreover, Criterion has restored the movie to its original 161-minute length. Even its earlier laserdisc edition was only 155 minutes, but by painstakingly piecing together various source materials, the extra six minutes have been reclaimed. One can notice the inserts at times, but the difference in quality is not so jolting that it dampens a viewer’s enjoyment. The sound has been refurbished, and for mono it is quite good.

The extras are worthy of a Criterion release. It isn’t that Criterion always puts in more extras than anyone else does. It puts in quality extras that increase one’s knowledge and enjoyment of the main feature. On the first disc, there is an informed commentary by playwright and stage director Russell Lees, who is joined in part by John Wilders, the former governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. The second disc contains a 1966 BBC interview with Olivier in which the great actor discusses in depth the art of acting. It is like a master class, with one secret after another revealed. The movie had a 12-minute black-and-white television trailer, and Criterion has found it for this set, as well as the original theatrical trailer, which is color. A well-done still-frame gallery rounds out the second disc. After a winter of discontent, it is wonderful to be able to enjoy this great movie in such a fine transfer as spring starts to take over.

• Go Back