Review of King Lear

Introduction

This is the 1988 version of the play by William Shakespeare. As far as I can tell it is uncut. There are many versions of the play and this one was one of a series made for Thames in the 80`s. Unsurprisingly then they feature some well known faces from TV and some lesser known.

King Lear is played by Patrick Magee, no not the one from The Avengers. Patrick Mower takes the part of the bastard son of Gloucester, the wicked Edmund. Patrick Mower is currently appearing in Emmerdale, which ranks like Pantomime compared to this. Older viewers may remember him from `Target` in the 1970s he was probably included in this cast because he was one of the hot actors of the day. He certainly gives good villain here.

If we are talking TV dramas of the past Ray Smith playing good Kent here is now better remembered as Spikings in Dempsey and Makepeace

The story of Lear is of a man `more sinned against than sinning` who brings about wholesale destruction of his family by giving away his crown and lands but trying to retain his power. The sub plot is of the bastard Edmund who seeks by deception to rise above his legitimate brother and inherit lands and title from his father. Meanwhile the brother Edgar is driven to be the lowest of the low to rise up due to his innate goodness.

Video

Originally shown on television this seems to have been filmed on video cameras and is reasonably clear Camera angles are occasionally interesting with close-ups being used to allow the speaker full reign (and spit). If you pay particular attention you will spot the grinning spear carriers in the background. Dress for the play is typical Saxon/Norman-good Lord how do I know? Nothing innovative.

Audio

Traditional music accompanies this version. Good solid enunciation means you won`t miss a word of the dialogue. No subtitles though. Somehow I think they would fill the screen! You`ll just have to read-alonga-Shakespeare.

Features

No extras as such but happily the chapters are broken into Five Acts with each scene headed up as in the play and available to select. Better than Coles Notes to revise with I`d say.

Conclusion

Forget the horrors of studying these for exams. Shakespeare is full of drama an pathos showing up the dreary offerings of most of what passes for drama on television.

Lear is full of wind and water to start with. He makes a great show of dividing up his kingdom between those who profess to love him most, rejecting those who would speak the truth to him. Soon he is at the mercy of the harpies who would tear him to shreds to get their full share. That will teach him to try to avoid inheritance tax.

Emotions run high but it is never too much. Everything is measured out in this stunning performance by Patrick Magee until it culminates in him raging against the heavens and becoming as mad as those around him that feign madness.
As a study in human nature this is a great play. Leaving aside the staginess of the 1970s plastic castles and concentrating on the performance, this is an excellent version of the play. Having once seen a dire King Lear by Anthony Quayle I can truly appreciate the professionalism of this one. The women playing the daughters Goneril and Regan are outstanding.

If you are not a Shakespeare fan or you have suffered from too much of it at school this should change your mind. A student could do worse than watch this as revision. Even though I knew the end I found it compelling to watch. Recommended