Richard III (1955)
- Starring:
- Laurence Olivier, Cedric Hardwicke, (more)
- Director(s):
- Laurence Olivier
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Laurence Olivier was the director, co-screenwriter (with Alan Dent), and star of this robust adaptation of Shakespeare's drama, which, as Bruce Eder has written, "was the final, crowning glory of the British studio system and the end of the great cycle of British films aimed at international audiences." Olivier begins his Richard III with Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke) being crowned king. In the background of the celebration, Richard (Laurence Olivier) jealously views the proceedings and begins to pick off those obstructing his pathway to the throne. Eventually, Richard becomes king and, after proceeding with a succession of intrigues and duplicities, he finds his kingdom in dire peril, set upon by Henry Tudor (Stanley Baker) and mustering a final defense for his realm at the Battle of Bosworth. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 158 mins
Complete Cast:
- Laurence Olivier - Richard III
- John Gielgud - George, Duke of Clarence
- Claire Bloom - Lady Anne Neville
- Alec Clunes - Thomas, Lord Hastings
- Mary Kerridge - Elizabeth Woodville (Queen Elizabeth)
- Paul Huston - Edward, Prince of Wales
- Norman Fisher - Monk
- Clive Morton - Antony Woodville, Earl Rivers
- Douglas Wilmer - Marquess of Dorset
- Michael Ripper - 2nd murderer
- George Woodbridge - Lord Mayor of London
- John Laurie - Lord Lovell
- Timothy Bateson - Ostler
- Ann Wilton - Scrub woman
- Deering Wells - Clergyman
- Patrick Troughton - James Tyrell
- Alexander Davion - 2nd Messenger
- Robert Bishop - Messenger
- Helen Haye - Queen Mother
- Norman Wooland - Sir William Catesby
- John Greenwood - Knight
- Cedric Hardwicke - Edward Plantagenet (King Edward IV)
- Nicholas Hannen - Archbishop of Canterbury
- Ralph Richardson - Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham
- Stanley Baker - Henry Tudor
- Pamela Brown - Jane Shore
- Russell Thorndike - First Priest
- Andrew Cruickshank - Brankenbury
- Dan Cunningham - Grey
- Michael Gough - Dighton
- Roy Russell - Abbot
- Esmond Knight - Sir Richard Ratcliffe
- Peter Williams - Messenger to Hastings
- Willoughby Gray - Priest
- Bill Shine - Beadle
- Richard Bennett - George Stanley
- Brian Nissen - 1st Messenger
- Lane Meddick - 3rd Messenger
- Laurence Naismith - Thomas, Lord Stanley
- John Phillips - John Howard, Duke of Norfolk
- Derek Prentice - Clergyman
- Director(s):
- Laurence Olivier
- Writer(s):
- Alan Dent, Colley Cibber, Laurence Olivier
- Producer(s):
- Laurence Olivier
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- Subtitles:
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- 1955 - Richard III - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best British Actor
- 1955 - Richard III - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Film - Any Source
- 1956 - Richard III - Golden Globe - Best Foreign Film
- 1956 - Richard III - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Foreign Film
