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King Lear

Play trailer Poster for King Lear TV-14 2018 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
King Lear divides his kingdom among his three daughters -- Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The kingdom and family soon collapse into chaos and warfare as Lear goes mad and tragedy strikes.
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King Lear

King Lear

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Critics Consensus

Led by dual mesmerizing performances from Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson and rounded out by a solidly stocked ensemble, this King Lear is a highly watchable adaptation.

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Critics Reviews

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Isaac Butler Slate Yet the film is such a cracking good entertainment I barely even noticed that its world makes no sense. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review Matt Zoller Seitz New York Magazine/Vulture It's as political a production as it needs to be, and at its best, it feels as current and as timeless as a nightmare. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle The whole cast - top-notch - takes Anthony Hopkins' lead and chews the scenery down to gristle and bone. Oct 4, 2018 Full Review James Walton The Spectator And naturally, with Hopkins on board, the rest of the cast was pretty terrific as well - to the point of unexpectedly turning King Lear into something of an ensemble piece. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review Ani Bundel WETA Any Lear with Hopkins is a good Lear, and while this version may be thinner than most, it's still got all the moments one would wish for. Jan 31, 2019 Full Review Marty Brown Common Sense Media A simple, accessible version of one of Shakespeare's best. Rated: 4/5 Oct 17, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sheldon C If you are familiar with the original King Lear, quite a lot is cut from the original play. Scenes are shuffled about, and parts are cut that create a lack of continuity and reason. Trimming is not necessarily a bad thing, but much of the heart and pathos of Lear is lost. I love Anthony Hopkins, but here he's just a loud and angry Lear, chewing the scenery with the best of them. Lost are his passages of fear, regret, and love, making him feel more a raving, demented old man, rather than a man faced with demons of his own making, then coming to understand the consequences of his actions. I would recommend it if you'd like a good overview of Lear and the scope of its action, but I'd be worried that a newcomer might become lost as to who is doing what to whom, and why. If you are new to King Lear, don't let this be the only version you watch, as you will miss out on the emotions of a man as he suffers from the repercussions of his own vanity and pride. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/24 Full Review Alec B Even with a great cast I think this adaptation falls prey to one of the greatest dangers with "King Lear" . . . getting lost in the plot when its the characters and their own little misadventures that should be the real focus. If the Fool isn't memorable, you've gone astray. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review cale c Watch for anthony hopkins Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The greatest 01 hour: and 55 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member a great movie with a lot of wisdom Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Like most people, I don't have a degree in old English Literature - why couldn't the characters speak in modern English so normal people could enjoy this movie? After all, this adaptation is already set in the 21st century. Total waste. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
King Lear

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Movie Info

Synopsis King Lear divides his kingdom among his three daughters -- Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The kingdom and family soon collapse into chaos and warfare as Lear goes mad and tragedy strikes.
Director
Richard Eyre
Producer
Noëlette Buckley
Screenwriter
Richard Eyre
Production Co
Playground Television UK Ltd
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2018
Runtime
1h 55m
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