Richard III
Seen it?1955 | 155 min | Drama, History
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved A Man for All Seasons or The Lion in Winter, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 35 min.
- Made in 1955: an older pace and style.
Having helped his brother King Edward IV take the throne of England, the jealous hunchback Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, including his eventual wife, Lady Anne, and his brother George, Duke of Clarence, Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best English-Language Foreign Film. Won 3 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film from any Source, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Actor. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actor. Also nominated for 1 Oscar. Plus 3 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 44K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
A Man for All Seasons Saturday SpecialAnother musical historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Lion in Winter
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical historical drama.
Henry V Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical historical drama.
Hamlet
Sunday Safe BetAnother musical historical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Victoria & Abdul Sunday Safe BetAnother historical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Laurence Olivier
- Laurence OlivierRichard III
- Cedric HardwickeKing Edward IV of England
- Nicholas HannenArchbishop
- Ralph RichardsonDuke of Buckingham
- John GielgudGeorge, Duke of Clarence
- Mary KerridgeQueen Elizabeth
- Pamela BrownJane Shore
- Paul HusonEdward, Prince of Wales
- Claire BloomThe Lady Anne
- Wallace BoscoMonk