Title |
King Lear / by William Shakespeare. |
Published |
[Place of publication not identified] : Distributed by Metrodome Distribution, ©2008. |
Physical description |
1 DVD-video (173 minutes) : sound, colour ; 12 cm. |
General note |
Catalogued from container. |
DV1 : 198847. |
Originally produced for television in 2008. |
Special Features : Exclusive interview with Sir Ian McKellen. |
Originally broadcast in the U.K. on More4 in 2008; broadcast in the U.S. as an episode of the PBS television series Great Performances in 2009. |
Filmed in high definition at Pinewood Studios. |
Credits note |
Director: Trevor Nunn ; Writer: William Shakespeare (play) |
Performer note |
Ian McKellen, Frances Barber, Monica Dolan, Romola Garai, William Gaunt, Jonathan Hyde, Sylvester McCoy, Ben Meyjes, Philip Winchester. |
Summary |
The Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of the Bard's famous tale of jealously and betrayal. This lavish interpretation features an all star cast. King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favour, he banishes her and turns to his remaining daughters for support. But Goneril and Regan have no love for their miserly father and instead plot to take all his power from him. Meanwhile, Lear's loyal courtier Gloucester gives favour to his illegitimate son Edmund after believing callous lies told about his faithful son Edgar. As madness and mortality catch up with the ageing men, betrayals lead to tragedies as fate summons their actions and judges the accountability of all the players. |
Subject |
Shakespeare, William, -- 1564-1616 -- Television adaptations |
Lear, -- King of England (Legendary character)Drama |
Inheritance and succession -- Drama |
Fathers and daughters -- Drama |
Kings and rulers -- Drama |
English drama (Tragedy) |
Televised plays |
Television adaptations |
Fiction television programs |
Additional author |
Nunn, Trevor director. |
McKellen, Ian actor. |
Barber, Frances actor. |
Dolan, Monica actor. |
Garai, Romola actor. |
Gaunt, William actor. |
Hyde, Jonathan actor. |
McCoy, Sylvester actor. |
Meyjes, Ben actor. |
Winchester, Philip actor. |
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
Richard Price TV Associates Ltd Distributor |
Channel Four Television |