Richard III
Blu-ray Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Robert Downey Jr,
Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, John Wood, Nigel Hawthrone, Dominic West,
Jim Broadbent,
Plot: Product Description: Director Richard Loncraine (The
Missionary) gives us a cinematic version of Ian McKellen’s heralded 1990
National Theatre stage performance as the vile but fascinating Richard III
(1995). Updating Shakespeare’s most entertaining history play to the 1930s, the
filmmakers offer a slick-haired fascist Richard, disturbingly recognizable as
one of our ambitious own, coldly, pleasurably eliminating his enemies.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 5/5
This is one of those films I often return to over and over
to experience wonderful acting and direction. I think this is one of the greatest
retelling of this classic Shakespearean story. Directed by Richard Loncraine. Loncraine
has not done a lot of cinema. But the cinema that he has done, tends to stick
out, both great and small. He captures both TV and feature film.
Besides
directing Richard the 3rd he has captured an odd array of drama,
comedy and unique pieces of cinema, some forgettable and some that I feel
should be seen. Those to look at, 1980’s Blade on the Feather, 1982’s Brimstone
and Treacle and 2002’s TV movie The Gathering Storm. His defining achievement
is Richard the 3rd.
I am excited that Richard III has been given an outlet by
Twilight Time. This is a lovely transfer, vibrant and brilliant in video and audio.
Like many of the Twilight Time releases, this is a Blu-ray that should be experienced.
Richard III has never looked any better than this blu-ray presentation. I feel
Twilight Time has honored this great film.
This film has acting by one of my favorite performers, Ian
McKellen. A true perfection in the art-form of acting. McKellen has always thoroughly
entertained me, in anything he has ever done. He has graced cinema both small
and large, starting in the 60’ and still going strong. Some of the greatest films
he has performed in, 1993’s And the Band Played On, 1997’s Bent, 1998’s Gods
and Monsters, to one of my favorite performances of all time, as the character
of Kurt Dussander in 1998’s, disturbing and brilliant Apt. Pupil. McKellen is
able to transcend the idea of performance and bring that performance to life as
a living, breathing experience, simply put, he becomes the parts he plays and
gives us, his all. The part of Richard the 3rd is no different. This
is one of his defining roles that leaves the viewer in total amazement in how
far a performance can go, as a living art-form.
I think what is so different and unique about this film, is
the ultimate setting. They have taken the plot of Shakespeare’s story and
placed it in the 1930’s, inside a fascist state of Great Britain, giving it a
unique and twist, to the already brilliant play. Also Loncraine and star
McKellen, helped write and adapt this new vision into a script form and ultimate
creation of film.
Another thing that truly stands out is the acting
performances by all. There is such a wonderful cast of actors and actresses. It’s
almost like experiencing an ensemble class of mastery, on just who to use in a
film, if you want some perfection. Not only McKellen, but the beautiful and
stunning Annette Bening, the amazing Robert Downey Jr, the extraordinary Nigel
Hawthorne, the magical and beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas. Also the one and
only Maggie Smith. Smith is someone that I have been in total love with my
whole life.
She is to me the very pivotal definition of actress. If you have
not seen her perform in 1980’s Playing for Time, then you need to, for you have
no idea how great a performance can be, unless you have seen, Playing for Time.
Twilight Time has recently released one of her defining films on their Special
Edition Blu-ray’s and that is the masterpiece film, 1969’s, The Prime of Miss
Jean Brodie, which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. You can read my
review for Twilight Time’s Blu-ray of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie here:
That is something that makes Richard III stand out. All the
performances are flawless. Something else that stands out about this film is
the costumes and set pieces. The art direction and costumes are just
breathtaking and both were honored at the Academy Awards.
I think this is one of the greatest films ever done. It’s a
masterpiece on so many levels. Unique, fresh and very original. I feel and agree
like the mainstream critics, this is a mesmerizing and cinematic mastery at its
finest. Also, the reality to this film of perfection, is the soundtrack. The
music is something that stands out as being memorable, and also groundbreaking.
Composer Trevor Jones is a master and gives that mastery to the film.
One cannot watch this film without mentioning the
cinematography by Peter Biziou. The film is flawless in the acting, direction
and story, but most of all, the cinematography is pure art in this feature.
Peter has away with a film, and gives his visionary talent to this film.
Richard III is one of those films that showcases his passion and art.
The film simply put is a truly moving experience of
filmmaking perfection in script, direction, acting and atmosphere. Unique
filmmaking at its finest.
Audio/Video: 5/5
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
I have seen this film on both VHS and DVD and both cannot
compare or come close to this presentation. This Blu-ray, this film looks brand
new, as if it just came out. The dark toned atmosphere and vibrant colors, come
off the screen as crisp, clear and no noticeable age. This is a perfect
transfer, and a perfect new outlet. There is no flaw in the audio or video
department of this Blu-ray.
Extras: 2/5
Sadly not much here, but the one true special feature is
amazing. As in many of Twilight Time releases, you get the Isolated Score Track,
which is very important. Loved this special
feature. Pure listening bliss.
Trevor Jones music is filled with such amazing emotional
depth, that it lingers long after the film. Trevor Jones has done some of the
great films in cinema, supplying the original score for 1981’s Excalibur. The
unique and odd horror film, 1982’s The Sender. The one and only, amazing,
brilliant and pivotal part of my childhood, the spectacular, magical and
fantasy weaved, 1982’s The Dark Crystal. The wonderful 1984 mini-series The
Last Days of Pompeii. From both small screen to large screen he has graced the
cinema world with a wonderful array of passionate sounds, music that digs deep
into your soul and mind and tells you a story. I can sit here and mention movie
after movie that he has done, for he is a master talent that bleeds the
art-form of crafting a story around his music. His music tells the ultimate
emotional understanding of films and Richard III is no different.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Also you get the wonderful insert by film historian Julie
Kirgo, which, as I always state, I highly look forward to this booklet. Julia
Kirgo is the voice of film, and I love reading the booklets and listening to
the commentaries, that are sometimes on the special features.
Overall:
Perfect film. Perfect Blu-ray. A must own experience of
cinematic bliss at its finest. Acting, direction, story all come together in a
flawless retelling of a classic. I highly recommend this movie and this
product.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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