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.
A screen adaptation of William Shakespeare's history play, the film chronicles the rise and fall of the ambitious and Machiavellian Richard III of England. Driven by a desire for the throne, Richard ruthlessly eliminates all rivals, manipulates those around him, and ultimately plunges the kingdom into civil war. His reign is short-lived as his tyranny culminates in his defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Laurence Olivier's 1955 adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Richard III' was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Olivier's electrifying performance. It is often considered one of the greatest Shakespearean film adaptations. Audiences were captivated by the dramatic intensity and the masterful portrayal of the villainous king.
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Nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Film and Best British Film.
Laurence Olivier, who directed and starred as Richard III, famously chose to adapt the play by cutting and rearranging scenes to make it more concise for a film format, even incorporating elements from the companion play 'Henry VI, Part 3'.
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