As I was studying this book so as you can imagine that I kind of needed all the help I could get, especially as I had to accept a 80 or so year old man being pushed to the brink of insanity. It was hard to imagine when reading the play that any of this could possibly happen but when I watched Oliver on screen I was absolutley certain it could. Oliver brings to life firstly a self-conceited and deluded King who by the gods plotting is humbled by the hands of his two eldest vicious daughters. The passionate scenes that were very important - i.e. those of the storm where Lear (Oliver) questions everything in the universe even his own existence were absolutley amazing to behold. I came to truly appreciate why many critics call Oliver 'the greatest interpetor of Shakespeare in the 20th century.'
Nonetheless, I couldn't help but think that without such a strong supporting cast, this production would have surely have slumped, that is why it's important to recognise that the cast understood Oliver's Lear and built themselves around it. You would understand what I'm trying to say, if you watched Regan and Goneril butt heads, their natures are 'wolvish' because the actors have understand how to deliever lines to wound their arrogantly hurt father that Oliver was trying to portray. All in all each actor was spot on and the production very good, but after two years of having watched it 2 or three times, I don't understand. Why Stonehenge?

This is the first of Olivier's Shakespeare films where the entire production is worthy of its magnificent cast, his own productions having suffered slightly from being made on restricted budgets. There isn't a weak link in the cast - in addition to Olivier, I would make special mention of Leo McKern, Colin Blakely and Dorothy Tutin - and the experience is harrowing - the society portrayed in 'Lear' is a terribly brutal and cruel one. Above all, it was so fortunate that Olivier, who had recently recovered from an illness which he wasn't expected to survive - is exactly the right age for the title role and has all his experience to back it up. The scene where he comes in bearing his dead daughter is deeply moving.As often in the great Shakespeare roles, Olivier seems to draw out of himself all the suffering of mankind. I have seen several King Lears but none as all-encompassing as this one. Buy it before it goes out of print: you will want to watch it again and again.

This is a good production from Granada tv which has a very staged feel about it. The cast are all well known and respected actors but for all its merits, and John Hurt is notable as the fool, it simply lacks the deep traumatic feel of the Peter Brook version set in actual locations.

I was very impressed with this production, Laurence Olivier does a sterling job portraying King Lear. Diana Rigg gives a brilliant performance as Regan, she captures her sadistic side very well, making you really hate her, and 'liking' it when she is poisoned at the end.
Interesting take to set it in Stonehenge - this is very appropriate too, as the play is set in pagan times. Aristotle would be proud of the catharsis in this.