Rating: 
Summary: Southern Shakespeare
Review: In the movie King of Texas Patrick Stewart plays the part of John Lear, a Texas ranch owner who owns most of Texas. This movie is a very different version of Shakespeare compared to most renditions you might see in your life time. John Lear is so similar to the character of King Lear in William Shakespeare's play King Lear. The only exception is the accent in which they speak through out this movie. The southern accent and the modern way of talking eliminate some of the confusion that most people have when they read the play King Lear. I didn't appreciate this movie as much as I thought I would. The director had a different style of editing and completely off the wall way of depicting the situations for this movie. I felt that Shakespeare of all things should not be a western after watching this movie. Patrick Stewart shouldn't have acted the part in this movie and wasn't meant to act with a southern accent. The movie followed the King Lear play almost exactly and was the most accurate movie for the play that I've seen. I would recommend this movie for those interested in seeing a King Lear interpretation that is close to the play.
Rating: 
Summary: Western Shakespeare
Review: In the movie King of Texas we are introduced to a new side of Shakespeare, the western Shakespeare. This movie is a fine film and a good resource for those who have already read King Lear, which this movie is based after. Having read King Lear, I noticed how acurate this movie was. There were name changes and a differnt ending but over all it's an entertaining show. The one complaint I have is the way King Lear is protrayed. He is protrayed as angry and impatient in the movie, while in the play he was kinder to his daughters. Also, I would change the ending, I didn't like how Rebecca wasn't killed by her sister. I thought that her death by Gonreil was an important part which showed how heartless she was. This movie will help anyone who didn't quite understand the play. It could be used as a study guide because of how well it follows the play. I recommend this movie to anyone ready for a hoot-hollering good time with a poetic twist.
Rating:
Summary: Western Shakespeare
Review: In the movie King of Texas we are introduced to a new side of Shakespeare, the western Shakespeare. This movie is a fine film and a good resource for those who have already read King Lear, which this movie is based after. Having read King Lear, I noticed how acurate this movie was. There were name changes and a differnt ending but over all it's an entertaining show. The one complaint I have is the way King Lear is protrayed. He is protrayed as angry and impatient in the movie, while in the play he was kinder to his daughters. Also, I would change the ending, I didn't like how Rebecca wasn't killed by her sister. I thought that her death by Gonreil was an important part which showed how heartless she was. This movie will help anyone who didn't quite understand the play. It could be used as a study guide because of how well it follows the play. I recommend this movie to anyone ready for a hoot-hollering good time with a poetic twist.
Rating:
Summary: King of the Wild West
Review: The "The King of Texas" takes the classic Shakespeare tragedy King Lear, and places it in the heart of Texas. The story takes place after the attack on the Alamo, and tensions between western settlers and the Mexicans are running high. This situation creates a perfect setting for King Lear. Lear is portrayed as a successful rancher. Although he does not have the title of king, he has enough power and influence over the territory to make him a king in his own right. The French, who in the play take in Lear's daughter after she has been turned away, have been replaced by Mexican settlers, enemies of the Lear family.
All in all, I thought this version of the story remained true to the play and did not stray to far from the original plot. The language was easier to understand, rather than the old English of Shakespeare's time. By seeing the story retold, I found I was actually able to pick up on ideas and feelings which I had previously not understood. I think that for anyone hoping to better understand the play King Lear, the "King of Texas" is an excellent option.
Rating:
Summary: King of Texas Review
Review: The King of Texas is a western film about a rich man's life endeavors, who finds money can't buy happiness. The King of Texas also parallel's Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear. The movie entails a rich and wealthy man John Lear who divides his land among his daughters Susanna, Rebecca, and Claudia. These characters throughout the movie carry out the same actions as King Lear's daughters Gonneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Claudia who parallels the character Cordelia makes the same prideful mistake of not announcing the love she feels for her father. Susanna and Rebecca, who parallel Gonneril and Regan, both lie about the love for their father, henceforth receiving the fortune but both banish their father in the end. Susanna's husband is a supporter of John Lear and a very peaceful man, just like Gonneril's husband Albany. Also, the John Lear's black slave could be compared to the fool due to his jovial manner towards the highly respected, serious Lear, and Kent, the faithful servant.My favorite scene that paralleled the movie exactly was the inheritance scene. The false words that Rebecca Susanna, and Claudia spoke were basically a modified Texan accent, with Shakespearean connotation. Over all I truly enjoyed the movie, in no way did I find it boring or hard to comprehend. I think the writer did an excellent job turning Shakespeare into a Western film.
Rating: 
Summary: Review for AP English
Review: The King of Texas is an excellent film that takes Shakespeare's "King Lear" and puts it into a Western setting. The King of Texas stays on the same track as "King Lear". I enjoyed this movie because it helped me understand "King Lear" and it was put into the type of English that I could understand. The movie does not get old, even after reading "King Lear", because the movie takes the plot and adds excitement to it. The movie is not a suitable replacement to reading "King Lear" for a class, but it will help you with the overall idea and plot of the book. It is not a suitable replacement because the names are different, as well as the dialog. I would recomend this movie to anyone who has just read "King Lear" and would like to help themselves to understand the play more fully. The movie is filmed and directed very well and is not a typical western, or TV movie. In conclusion I would recomend this movie as a good form of entertainment, and also a good film to show an English class who has just finished reading "King Lear".
Rating:
Summary: A close parallel
Review: The made-for-TV movie King of Texas provides a parallel story to the Shakespearean play, King Lear. Both tales are about loyalty and betrayal, love and heartbreak, humor and sympathy. The tyrant character of King Lear is portrayed by Patrick Stewart in a post-Alamo Texas setting. The two stories carry the same basic plot, but each has its own special twist on the theme. The theme happens to be to think of what you do before it comes back to haunt you. The characters who falter on this moral topic end up losing something near and dear to their existence, such as their pride or family. King of Texas made me laugh when Lear is insulted by his servant. The servant represents the Fool character of the play. It made me sympathize with Lear when he fell off his horse. At this point, he has lost not only the love of his daughters, the home he lived in, and all of his property, but he has lost his dignity as well. This quality, along with his pride, made Lear who he was. The movie really allows its audience to feel with the characters. Although it is not a very good study tool for those reading Shakespeare's original, the movie is a fun idea as a follow-up.
Rating:
Summary: A close parallel
Review: The made-for-TV movie King of Texas provides a parallel story to the Shakespearean play, King Lear. Both tales are about loyalty and betrayal, love and heartbreak, humor and sympathy. The tyrant character of King Lear is portrayed by Patrick Stewart in a post-Alamo Texas setting. The two stories carry the same basic plot, but each has its own special twist on the theme. The theme happens to be to think of what you do before it comes back to haunt you. The characters who falter on this moral topic end up losing something near and dear to their existence, such as their pride or family. King of Texas made me laugh when Lear is insulted by his servant. The servant represents the Fool character of the play. It made me sympathize with Lear when he fell off his horse. At this point, he has lost not only the love of his daughters, the home he lived in, and all of his property, but he has lost his dignity as well. This quality, along with his pride, made Lear who he was. The movie really allows its audience to feel with the characters. Although it is not a very good study tool for those reading Shakespeare's original, the movie is a fun idea as a follow-up.
Rating:
Summary: King Lear Goes Out West
Review: The movie King of Texas is William Shakespear's play King Lear set in Texas. Patrick Stewart plays King Lear and does a great job of it. He is joined by a wonderful supporting cast that only make the movie better. Having read King Lear myself and feeling very lost and confused this movie helped greatly to put the words from the play to images in a movie. I didn't care for the play written in Shakespearean language because I couldn't follow it but once it was put into a movie like this Shakespear's plot and great story line is really brought to life. This movie helped me really appreciate Shakespear's greatness as a playwright. Although the movie was very good a few parts were done slightly different than in the original play. The main difference was in the end which involved everyones deaths. The characters were not killed in similar fashions to how they were in the play. Because of this the whole play seemed to wrap a little to short and sweet. Overall though this movie is worth while watching whether you like Shakespear or don't at all. As long as one likes a movie with a interesting plot and lessons to be tough it will be enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: King Lear Meets the Wild West
Review: The story begins around the same time frame as the Battle of the Alamo. Star Trek captain Patrick Stewart, plays the famous Lear whose downfall comes when tries to make his daughters prove their love to him in return for their share of his land. His first two daughters have no problem lying to their father but Claudia refuses to appease her father's pride. Lear, outraged by this, banishes her from his sight. She retreats to her father's enemy, Menchaca. After this first mistake, Lear's life crumbles beneath him. He is turned away by his two remaining daughters and eventually begins to lose his mind.
The King of Texas is the story of Shakespeare's famous play, King Lear, with a western twist. It reunites all of the characters from the play and though the names have been changed, it is easy to decipher who is who. One of the best aspects of this movie is that you don't have to have read the play to understand or enjoy the movie nor do you have to be a fan of Shakespeare. Unlike other adaptations of Shakespearean plays, the language used has been changed to more of a western dialect then the often hard to understand Shakespearean style enabling a more broad audience to enjoy this classic play. I think it's safe to say that this made for TV movie will be sought after by many to better understand this famous Shakespearean play.
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