Not even in the same actor-director's Henry V has Shakespeare ever made such dazzling, hypnotic screen entertainment as in Laurence Olivier's Richard III. And Olivier's power-hungry Richard Crookback is unforgettable - a ruthless, dominant, unstoppable gross black spider of a figure that devours or possesses everything in its path. No character in the film, nor actor in the cast is a match for him, despite sterling, thoughtful portrayals from John Gielgud, as the hapless Clarence drowned in a butt of malmsey, Claire Bloom as Lady Anne, seduced by Richard over her husband's coffin, and Ralph Richardson as the cunning, ever-scheming Duke of Buckingham. Tremendous, almost bizarre colour photography by Otto Heller and stunning dramatic impact help make this one of the most successful Shakespeare films ever made.


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