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Richard III

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Richard Ian Richard Overlook FIRST First Edition Thus, First Printing. Not price-clipped. Published by Overlook Books, 1996. Octavo. Paperback. Book is like new. Seller 404873 Drama & Film

299 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 1996

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About the author

Ian McKellen

71 books33 followers
Sir Ian Murray McKellen CH CBE is one of the most highly acclaimed actors in the English-speaking world.

His career spans six decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Over his career he has received numerous awards including seven Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received nominations for two Academy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and four BAFTAs.

McKellen was knighted in the 1991 New Year Honours for services to the performing arts, and made a Companion of Honour for services to drama and to equality in the 2008 New Year Honours

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Sasha.
Author 12 books5,199 followers
August 17, 2010
This thing is awesome. Richard's one of my favorite characters.

Y'know, I thought it was the Queen of Hearts who came up with "Off with her head!" But I should've known, it was Richard. He says it at least twice.

On the other hand, I assumed that "Heads will roll" was from Shakespeare; it sounds like the kind of thing he'd say. But apparently it was actually Hitler, of all people. Who knew?

No, you're right: I don't have much to say about Richard III. I love it, it's awesome.
Profile Image for Mark Dickson.
Author 1 book7 followers
January 11, 2019
An extremely easy read. Each set of two pages contains a page from the script and the corresponding commentary.

McKellen provides some great insight into his adaptation process and some behind-the-scenes information about reasons why things were cut.
Profile Image for Michael.
408 reviews27 followers
October 16, 2008
For a long time, I considered myself a staunch opponent of setting the Shakespeare plays in times/places other than how they were written. I find myself more divided these days. Sure, there are some that don't work for me (Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, and Branagh's Love's Labors Lost, for example), but there are people doing amazing things with the plays. One is Julie Taymor's "Titus", which is strange and beautiful enough to break the mold. Scotland, PA was a clever update on Macbeth. Another is this version of Richard III, set in an alternate history-type fascist England.

The setting fits the play, and the adaptation is done amazingly well by actor Ian McKellen and director Richard Loncraine. A fun bonus of the screenplay book is that McKellen has annotated it, telling the reader about the writing process and the production of the film.

I'm hoping that my McKellen bias doesn't cloud my judgment of the film, but I don't think it does. This was the first film of his I ever saw, so my rabid fandom came later. I really love the man. He's a spectacular actor, and a clever, sarcastic human being. I've seen most all of his films, and am eagerly awaiting the PBS broadcast of his King Lear (a play I was planning to see in Stratford until expenses intervened).

Recommended for Shakespeare and/or screenwriting aficionados.
Profile Image for James.
619 reviews9 followers
June 4, 2017
A great look at the conception and production of a terrific film.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews