'King Lear' is one of Shakespeare's best plays, though it is also one of his most difficult to perform and from a psychological standpoint. So many powerful scenes and quotes, an atmosphere that is haunting and moving and full of memorable characters (Lear is not the easiest of characters to get behind from the start but he becomes very easy to sympathise with). This film version is unlike any 'King Lear' seen, with that it is in Russian being the obvious unique thing about it and also because there are not many other adaptations this artistic.
This 'King Lear' is not Grigory Kozintsev's first foray into Shakespeare. He also did a brilliant film version of 'Hamlet' in 1964. Just like that 'Hamlet' gets my vote as the finest screen adaptation of that particular play, this is a contender for the finest screen adaptation of 'King Lear'. There is a huge amount to admire here as an adaptation, even when not in English, but the film is even better on its own terms and is brilliant as a film, a work of art visually and an emotional experience. If asked which is better between Kozintsev's two Shakespeare adaptations, that is an extremely difficult choice and in my mind they're equal in quality.
Visually, this 'King Lear' is the best looking version of the play to exist possibly, as well as the most artistic. Easily among the best looking Shakespeare film adaptations, with sets that are both sumptuous and starkly brooding, very atmospheric lighting, costumes that are evocative and not cheap and cinematography (from the same cinematographer for 'Hamlet') that is achingly beautiful and bold. Dmitri Shostakovich returns as composer and his score here is another winner. Have always appreciated Shostakovich's music, his haunting, intensely dramatic and emotionally rich music here made me appreciate him all the more.
Moreover, Kozintsev's direction is nothing short of exemplary and shows a master at work, showing once again that although justifiably lauded he deserves to be wider known worldwide and his films made more accessible. The script is poetry in words, thoughtful and emotionally complex as ought.
Like with 'Hamlet', 'King Lear's' story is always absorbing and highly atmospheric, the drama is very bleak, intensely and poignantly so, but seeing as the play is as bleak as they come that was more than appropriate. Everything is done in good taste, no questionable, irrelevant or gratuitous touches, and it is one of the few adaptations to nail the psychology of the characters and what makes them such complex characters. Every character has all their characteristics intact with full impact. Lear and Cordelia have such touching chemistry, Gloucester's scenes take no prisoners including the unflinching scene of his that everybody talks about with any production of 'King Lear' and Regan is pretty much exactly as Shakespeare intended, her evil not obvious straightaway and not rushed when revealed.
All the performances are fantastic. Juri Jarvet is a towering Lear, one that really wrenches the gut in the emotional moments and his madness is harrowing. Valentina Shendrikova is affecting as Cordelia and Galina Volchek is one blood-curdling Regan. Karlis Sebris is movingly powerful as Gloucester, especially in his later scenes. Cannot remember a better Fool than Oleg Dahl, who is much more than comic relief (that can be overplayed elsewhere) but is also poignant and the voice of reason.
Concluding, exceptional film-making and that it isn't better known is beyond my comprehension. 10/10.
This 'King Lear' is not Grigory Kozintsev's first foray into Shakespeare. He also did a brilliant film version of 'Hamlet' in 1964. Just like that 'Hamlet' gets my vote as the finest screen adaptation of that particular play, this is a contender for the finest screen adaptation of 'King Lear'. There is a huge amount to admire here as an adaptation, even when not in English, but the film is even better on its own terms and is brilliant as a film, a work of art visually and an emotional experience. If asked which is better between Kozintsev's two Shakespeare adaptations, that is an extremely difficult choice and in my mind they're equal in quality.
Visually, this 'King Lear' is the best looking version of the play to exist possibly, as well as the most artistic. Easily among the best looking Shakespeare film adaptations, with sets that are both sumptuous and starkly brooding, very atmospheric lighting, costumes that are evocative and not cheap and cinematography (from the same cinematographer for 'Hamlet') that is achingly beautiful and bold. Dmitri Shostakovich returns as composer and his score here is another winner. Have always appreciated Shostakovich's music, his haunting, intensely dramatic and emotionally rich music here made me appreciate him all the more.
Moreover, Kozintsev's direction is nothing short of exemplary and shows a master at work, showing once again that although justifiably lauded he deserves to be wider known worldwide and his films made more accessible. The script is poetry in words, thoughtful and emotionally complex as ought.
Like with 'Hamlet', 'King Lear's' story is always absorbing and highly atmospheric, the drama is very bleak, intensely and poignantly so, but seeing as the play is as bleak as they come that was more than appropriate. Everything is done in good taste, no questionable, irrelevant or gratuitous touches, and it is one of the few adaptations to nail the psychology of the characters and what makes them such complex characters. Every character has all their characteristics intact with full impact. Lear and Cordelia have such touching chemistry, Gloucester's scenes take no prisoners including the unflinching scene of his that everybody talks about with any production of 'King Lear' and Regan is pretty much exactly as Shakespeare intended, her evil not obvious straightaway and not rushed when revealed.
All the performances are fantastic. Juri Jarvet is a towering Lear, one that really wrenches the gut in the emotional moments and his madness is harrowing. Valentina Shendrikova is affecting as Cordelia and Galina Volchek is one blood-curdling Regan. Karlis Sebris is movingly powerful as Gloucester, especially in his later scenes. Cannot remember a better Fool than Oleg Dahl, who is much more than comic relief (that can be overplayed elsewhere) but is also poignant and the voice of reason.
Concluding, exceptional film-making and that it isn't better known is beyond my comprehension. 10/10.