Richard III (film, 1955)

The film, like Shakespeare's play, is a work of art and far from complying with the data of modern historical science. The hyperbolization of the villainous image of the previous monarch Richard III dates back to the traditions of the Tudor era, which replaced the Plantagenet dynasty ^[5] .

England, the second half of the XV century. During the War of the Scarlet and White Roses, King Edward IV ascends the throne. His brother Richard III , who actively helps him in this, secretly envies Edward's success and bitterly mourns his own physical deformities. Despite this, thanks to flattery and mastery of seduction, he seeks consent to marriage from a young noble widow, Lady Anna , even taking into account what she knows about his direct participation in the deaths of both her father and her previous husband. Richard makes a reservation in the eyes of the king, and later organizes the murder of the middle of his brothers - the Duke of Clarence . Upon learning of his death, King Edward IV dies, before his death, appointing Richard Lord Protector . He immediately removes the last obstacle to the throne: he encloses in the Tower of the infant sons of the deceased monarch - Edward V and Richard of York . Richard III becomes king of England, but finds no spiritual peace: he is tormented by the ghosts of the people he killed.

The usurper’s board is opposed by the opposition , led by Heinrich Tudor . The armies of the parties converge at the Battle of Bosworth . At the decisive moment of the battle, Richard’s troops are on the side of the enemy. Left by everyone, he rushes into a desperate battle. A horse dies under it. Before his death, Richard exclaims: “Horse! Horse! Half a kingdom for a horse! ” ^[6]

• Cedric Hardwick - Edward IV , King of England
• Lawrence Olivier - Richard III , younger brother of Edward IV, later - King of England
• John Gilgud - George (Georg), Duke of Clarence , middle of the ruling dynasty brothers
• Claire Bloom - Lady Anna
• Ralph Richardson - Duke of Buckingham
• Stanley Baker - Heinrich Tudor, Earl of Richmond
• Mary Curridge - Queen Elizabeth , wife of Edward IV
• Paul Hewson - Edward V , son of Edward IV
• Andy Schein - Richard Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York , son of Edward IV
• John Laurie -

• 1956 - BAFTA Award : Best Film , Best British Film , Best Actor (Olivier).
• 1956 - Berlin Film Festival: Silver Bear
• 1956 - National Council of Film Critics of the United States : Best Foreign Film .
• 1956 - Association of New York Film Critics: Best Actor, Third Place (Olivier).
• 1957 - Oscar nomination for Best Actor (Olivier).
• 1957 - Italian national prize David di Donatello : Best Foreign Actor and Best Producer (both Olivier).
• 1957 - Golden Globe : Best English-language foreign film .
• 1957 - Jussi Award : Best Foreign Actor (Olivier).

The columnist “Chicago Reader” calls the picture the most accurate and classic adaptation of Shakespeare's play, which has become one of the most exciting productions of the plot of villainy and betrayal ^[7] . The newspaper The New York Times (March 1956) believes that the only broadcast of this film on US television made such a contribution to the acquaintance of the audience of this country with the work of Shakespeare, which has not been achieved in the entire previous history of cinema and TV ^[8] .

After filming this film, several more large-scale adaptations of Shakespeare's works were planned, starting with Macbeth , where Vivien Leigh was to star in the main female role. However, the death of the chief financier and producer of the project, Alexander Korda, destroyed these plans ^[1] .