William Shakespeare | Richard III (1995)

Ian McKellen had long been respected as an actor and Shakespearean in Britain and Europe since 1963, but it wasn't until The Last Action Hero (1993) that Hollywood took notice. In the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, McKellen played Death, and other movies roles soon followed. In 1999, he received an Oscar nomination for his lead role in Gods and Monsters, but Richard III is a role close to McKellan's heart. In this interpretation, McKellen was writer and producer, but left the direction to Richard Longcraine. Set in the 1930s after the declaration of World War II in Europe, Richard is a general bent on taking control of the country through any means possible. Surrounded by an all-star cast that included many Americans such as Annette Bening and Robert Downey, Jr., Richard's cold calculation in his drive for throne is bone-chilling. Maggie Smith and Kristen Scott Thomas as the women who suffer most from his murderous solutions to problems are spellbinding. Their ability to delude themselves until it is too late is truly amazing. But McKellen is outstanding in his characterisation of an evil despot who knows how to use his liabilities as assets. Longcraine's attention to detail and his collaboration with McKellen on the screenplay ensure that the film is a visual spectacle and a delight for the ears. The text is clear, and not for one moment does the attention lag. This is a snappy, crisp, intense experience in the abuse of power. A must-see. - J.R. Costa

Cast: Richard III: Ian McKellen; Queen Elizabeth: Annette Bening; Buckingham: Jim Broadbent; Rivers: Robert Downey, Jr.; Clarence: Nigel Hawthorne; Lady Anne: Kristin Scott Thomas; King Edward: John Wood; Duchess of York: Maggie Smith; Hastings: Jim Carter; Stanley: Edward Hardwicke; Tyrell: Adrian Dunbar; River's Mistress/Air Hostess: Tres Hanley; Richmond: Dominic West; Archbishop: Roger Hammond; Catesby: Tim McInnerny; Ballroom Singer: Stacey Kent; Ratcliffe: Bill Paterson; Lord Mayor: Dennis Lil; George Stanley: Ryan Gilmore; Jailer: Andy Rashleigh; Prince of Wales: Marco Williamson; King Henry: Edward Jewesbury; Prince Edward: Christopher Bowen; Young Prince: Matthew Groom; Princess Elizabeth: Kate Steavenson-Payne; Brackenbury: Donald Sumpter; City Gentleman: Bruce Purchase; Subalterns: James Dreyfus, David Antrobus.

Director: Richard Longcraine; Writers: Richard Longcraine, Ian McKellen, William Shakespeare; Producers: Maria Apodiacos, Stephen Bayly, David Lascelles, Ellen Dinerman Little, Ian McKellen, Lisa Katselas Pare, Mary Richards, Joe Simon, Michele Tandy; Production Companies: Bayley/Pare Productions, British Screen, First Look Pictures Releasing, United Artists.

Colour. Runtime: 104 mins.