Customer Reviews
Beautiful performances, but low budget - By: Richard Kirwan, 14 Oct 2008 
If you are looking for amazing special effects, then this isn't the one for you. Unsurprisingly, throught the film there is an intense feeling of a tight budget. However, with the performances inside, it hardly matters.
I had the fortune to see this while it was at the New London Theatre. None of the magic created by the actors is lost in the film - Romola Garai (Cordelia) is stunning, Frances Barber (Goneril) is absolutely wonderful with perfect timing & a voice to match, Monica Dolan & William Gaunt (Regan & Gloucester) are brilliant, but the shining lights are Sylvester McCoy & Ian McKellen, as the Fool & Lear. McCoy plays a hilarious, spoon-playing fool, & there is a great sympathy towards the character, making his falll incredibly tragic. And McKellen is pitch perfect. His performance as the great King is the definitive version.
There are many more visuallly stunning versions of this on film, but performance wise, it doesn't get better. I'm inclined to say that if you're studying the text in class, it's probably the best bet. It's very close to the stage production, & isn't inhibited or enhanced by large sets or costumes.
Stellar Cast and Incredible Production! - By: Louis E. Sather, 03 Oct 2008 I was fortunate to see the RSC's stage production of "King Lear" twice during it's World Tour stop in Minneapolis & Ian McKellan was impressive to say the least. His command of the role kept me on the edge of my seat. I was also impressed with the performances of Frances Barber, Romola Garai & Sylvester McCoy, alll of whom held their own very well when on-stage with McKellan. Having this production preserved on DVD is a real treat. My only disappointment is they didn't also record "The Seagull", which used most of the same cast & was running with "King Lear" in repertoire.
Stunning Performances - By: J. Ramchandani, 16 Sep 2008 "King Lear" is callled the 'Everest' every Shakespearean actor must climb to be labelled 'great'. Here, award-winning director Trevor Nunn & the legendary Ian McKellen have produced a "Lear" which has enraptured audiences worldwide. Nunn's vital, thrilling interpretation of Shakespeare's vivid tragedy elicits a stunning performance from McKellen & a supporting cast which includes Frances Barber, William Gaunt & Sylvester McCoy. After a world tour that included Melbourne, Los Angeles & New York, this production finished to sell-out performances in the West End before going straight to Pinewood Studios for this special recording.
