Ian McKellen’s annotated screenplay for his and Richard Loncraine’s 1995 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s 1592-1594 play, Richard III, is a great read for both film and theatre lovers, particularly those who enjoy the works of William Shakespeare. McKellen and Loncraine developed the film based on Richard Eyre’s stage production. Rather than set the play in its historical setting of the late 1470s through 1485, Loncraine and McKellen chose more recent history as their setting in order to better translate Shakespeare’s intent for a modern audience. In this case, they imagine 1930s Britain under fascist rule, as if Oswald Mosely’s British Union of Fascists and King Edward VIII had succeeded. These historical changes notwithstanding, the film faithfully adapts the plot and text of Shakespeare’s play.

McKellen describes the intent in changing the play’s chronological setting, “To direct the audience away from history and toward the events and themes of the play as far as they were relevant to their own lives, the original production would have been performed in contemporary, Elizabethan dress. Historical ‘authenticity’ of costume and setting only became fashionable in the theatre of the Victorians, with their interest in things medieval” (pgs. 11-12). Further, “The crucial advantage of a modern setting is clarity of storytelling… The audience needs to be able to recognize who is royalty, aristocrat, commoner and who is politician, civil servant, military. By their clothes, you shall know them. If this were true of the play, it would be equally valid for the film” (pg. 12). McKellen writes of the timeless impact of Shakespeare’s works, “Each generation has always been able to extract from Shakespeare its own message” (pg. 24). Thus, it was his and Loncraine’s hope that their reinterpretation of Richard III would aid new viewers in extracting meaning. This book includes 59 stills from unit photographer Alex Bailey to illustrate the scenes and compliment McKellen’s notes on each page. A great behind-the-scenes look at a fantastic adaptation of Shakespeare’s work. ( )

A great look at the conception and production of a terrific film. ( )

This thing is awesome. Richard's one of my favorite characters.

Y'know, I thought it was the Queen of Hearts who came up with "Off with her head!" But I should've known, it was Richard. He says it at least twice.

On the other hand, I assumed that "Heads will roll" was from Shakespeare; it sounds like the kind of thing he'd say. But apparently it was actually Hitler, of all people. Who knew?

No, you're right: I don't have much to say about Richard III. I love it, it's awesome. ( )