Rating: 
Summary: Olivier is magnificient!
Review: Sir Laurence Oliver certainly and still is the best actor ever to have played in Shakespearean plays. This becomes ever so apparent when he plays the role of the insidiously evil Richard III. He is so evil that one is sure that his character is rotten to the core of his sole; and he will commit any crime to gain the power that he is so much craving for. His death scene at the hands of the other soldiers at the battle field is legendary and will be the benchmark for which other versions of this movie is matched against. Highly Recomended.
Rating: 
Summary: Acting - Yea; Cinematography - Nay
Review: This is a splendidly acted filmed play - notice how I write "filmed play" for this is by no means a masterpiece in anything but acting. Do not misinterpret what I say - Laurence Olivier's performance is a SPELLBINDING one, and, as with almost all the cast members, is just absolutely magnificent.
However, acting can only hold one's attention for all of "Richard III" if that person is a lover of the stage, because this `movie' feels like nothing more than filmed play. I don't give a damn how good the acting is - I'm a film major and was abhorred at the lack of use of cinematic techniques. Editing, camera angles, lighting, lenses, and so on could have taken this movie to another level.
I do not believe that a film should ever be so bland in its making - Technicolor is invariably the wrong choice for this, although that probably reflects the public's demand of it, so I'll let that slide. The fact of the matter is, filming techniques COMBINED with those stellar performances would have made a knock-out hit. Even if I attended theater performances regularly, I would still have disliked this movie, because it is not a movie and does not deserve that title. This could have been one of the greatest films of our time (it was, after all, originally written by the greatest author of ALL time), but instead I found myself looking at my watch because it failed to glue my eyes to the screen.
If you want a glimpse of combining technique with acting, watch Al Pacino's "Looking For Richard" (1996). It is filmed documentary style with handheld cameras and luminous lighting, which, although may not be the best way to film it, at least is one way to FILM it, creating a FILM. I happen to believe that Pacino's film is a great movie and a must see for anyone who purchases this film.
So, if you love the theater or are a Shakespeare nut, go ahead and buy it - you'll love Olivier's performance (it's almost impossible not to). But if you are a film lover first-hand, you will undoubtedly be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: a little disappointing
Review: This movie had good stage sets and Laurence Olivier made a rather good performance. I know that this movie was supposed to follow Shakespeare's play but this subject could have been a lot more interesting if made into a drama (which would of course require some historical license taking). Maybe its just me but I find Shakespeare a little boring.However, the end of the movie depicting the battle of Bosworth was tacky as hell! It looked as if it were filmed on the African savannah. It was clearly not merry old England.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing! Olivier thee greatest actor ever!
Review: This movie is perfect! Laurence Olivier is the only actor who has mastered Shakespeare to perfection! He truly is Richard III in this awesome movie. The only thing I am disappointed with is why this great movie is not on DVD yet! Hey people at the DVD company get off your bottoms and make this a DVD!!! And don't make it a sloppy one either! Make it as good as the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: a fine release of a great film.
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
Lawrence Olivier directed and stars in this great movie. As this is a Shakespeare release, I see no need to write a synopses. The acting is incredible and the photography is great also.
The Criterion Collection has done a fine job releasing this in a double disc set. It includes footage that was recently rediscovered and not seen for many years prior to the release.
The special features are:
"Great Acting: Laurence Olivier" A 1966 interview with Lawrence Olivier conducted for the BBC, a 12 minute featurette/trailer for the film as well as a theatrical trailer. There are also production and publicity photos and lobby cards. The film also has an optional audio commentary track by Russell Lees and John Wilders.
This is a must for Shakespeare fans.
Rating:
Summary: Even More Impressive in the DVD Format
Review: Those who criticize Laurence Olivier and Alan Dent -- co-authors of the screenplay -- for taking certain liberties with Shakespeare's play should also criticize Shakespeare for taking certain liberties with the historical material on which he often relied so heavily. In this instance, Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, Vol. 6, and various Tudor Historians. In my opinion, such quibbling is a fool's errand. This much we do know about the historical Richard III. He was born in 1452 in Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire, the youngest son of Richard, Duke of York. He was created Duke of Gloucester by his brother, Edward IV, in 1461, accompanied him into exile (1470), and played a key role in his restoration (1471). Rewarded with part of the Neville inheritance, he exercised vice regal powers, and in 1482 re-captured Berwick-upon-Tweed from the Scots. When Edward died (1483) and was succeeded by his under-age son, Edward V, Richard acted first as protector, but within three months, he had overthrown the Woodvilles (relations of Edward IV's queen), arranged for the execution of Lord Hastings (c.1430-83), and had himself proclaimed and crowned as the rightful king. Young Edward and his brother were probably murdered in the Tower on Richard's orders, although not all historians agree. He tried to stabilize his position but failed to win broad-based support. His rival Henry Tudor (later Henry VII), confronted him in battle at Bosworth Field (August 22, 1485), when Richard died fighting bravely against heavy odds. Though ruthless, he was not the absolute monster Tudor historians portrayed him to be, nor is there proof he was a hunchback. Cleverly, this film begins with the final scene of Henry IV, Part III, the coronation of Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke). Locating himself at a strategic distance from the throne, the Duke of Gloucester (Olivier) carefully observes those around him. He shares with those who see this film or read the play his most private thoughts and feelings, many of which are as deformed as his body. Gloucester's "winter of discontent" will soon end. With a systematic tenacity unsurpassed by any other of Shakespeare's villains, Gloucester's coronation as Richard III (his own "glorious summer") will be the fulfillment of his royal ambition. The acting throughout the cast is outstanding. I do not recall another film in which Olivier, John Gielgud (George. Duke of Clarence), and Ralph Richardson (Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham) all appeared together, joined by Claire Bloom (Lady Anne Neville) and Stanley Baker (Henry Tudor). Special note should also be made of Otto Heller's cinematography which is integrated seamlessly with their performances. It is a pleasure to have this film now available in a DVD format, one which offers much sharper images and much clearer sound. Other special features of this DVD version include high-definition digital transfer; newly discovered footage; a commentary by playwright and stage director Russell Lees and John Wilder, former Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company; 1966 BBC interview with Olivier hosted by Kenneth Tynan; a 12-minute television trailer; a theatrical trailer; and an essay by film historian Bruce Eder.
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