Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Richard III

Released Mar 11, 1956 2h 35m History Drama List
81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Having helped his brother King Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke) take the throne of England, the jealous hunchback Richard, Duke of York (Laurence Olivier), plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, including his eventual wife, Lady Anne (Claire Bloom), and his brother George, Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud), Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed.
Watch on Max Stream Now

Where to Watch

Richard III

Richard III

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Sir Lawrence Olivier's Richard III adaptation embraces its theatrical roots to spotlight the timeless Shakespearean villain.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
James Jackson Times (UK) [Laurence Olivier's] Richard remains one of the most full-blooded movie villains — a performance done with, surely, a nod and a wink. Oct 19, 2023 Full Review Guardian The final word, however, must be that this is a superb and bold achievement, most honourable to Shakespeare and to the actor-producer-director, something of a cinematographic miracle. Mar 21, 2018 Full Review Don Druker Chicago Reader Laurence Olivier's classic rendition (1956) of Shakespeare's total villain contains one of his most engaging performances and reveals some of his best spatial manipulation of action. Jul 9, 2008 Full Review Jay Leyda Film Culture Richard III is a play not worth the loving carpentry Olivier has lavished on it. Jun 7, 2022 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Olivier's title-role performance is a triumph of subtlety and venom, and his surrounding cast is virtually an Honors List of the British legitimate theatre. Jan 8, 2020 Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times The play's the thing, then, with Olivier's hunchback scowling and lurching around the sets like Charles Laughton's Quasimodo. Rated: 4/5 Nov 27, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (113) audience reviews
Alec B Olivier's performance is occasionally hammy (To be expected I suppose) but that's more a product of his era that any major failings as an actor. I'm not sure if this is the definitive film version of this play, but it's hard to deny the moments of brilliance. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Christopher B Richard III is known for being one of the best of the play's adaptations and particularly for Laurence Olivier's stunning performance as he stars, directs and is a co-screenwriter for Richard III. The film is mainly dialogue, save for the last 20 minutes or so and much of the play is portrayed here in a very theatrical style. The film is essentially a viewing of a theatrical play with ornate sets and lots of dialogue and actions played out with a lot of gusto and theatrics involved. While the film isn't necessarily paced bad, if you aren't familiar with the story, can be very very slow and even boring and confusing. With that said, if you enjoy and appreciate theatre, this is a great film showcasing Richard III and features a great performance by Olivier and just as many theatrical elements in it that you at times feel you are watching a play on stage. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/02/22 Full Review steve d Ok version with nothing really to recommend it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review s r A fair take on the play. Olivier was a bit much though. He must've had quite the ego. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review James K An excellent adaptation of Richard III by Laurence Olivier. Intriguing and daring cinematic adaptations and compression of the play create an excellent film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/19 Full Review Audience Member truly exceptional film. oliviers adaptation of Shakespeare play of the wicked kings rise to power. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Richard III

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

War and Peace 50% 63% War and Peace Julius Caesar 96% 81% Julius Caesar Alexander the Great 0% 42% Alexander the Great Land of the Pharaohs 80% 44% Land of the Pharaohs Solomon and Sheba 14% 57% Solomon and Sheba Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Having helped his brother King Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke) take the throne of England, the jealous hunchback Richard, Duke of York (Laurence Olivier), plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, including his eventual wife, Lady Anne (Claire Bloom), and his brother George, Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud), Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed.
Director
Laurence Olivier
Producer
Laurence Olivier
Distributor
Lopert Pictures Corp.
Production Co
London Film Productions
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 11, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Runtime
2h 35m
Most Popular at Home Now