Looking For Richard DVD (1996)

Looking For Richard

1996

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

from 1094 members

A workshop of William Shakespeare's Richard III inspires actor-director Al Pacino's breezy documentary, which aims to make the playwright accessible to contemporary American audiences. Though a noteworthy cast of stage actors and Hollywood stars (including Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder, and Alec Baldwin) gathers to work on the play, Looking for Richard does not present a straightforward filmed version of the scheming, deformed king's rise and fall. Instead, Pacino turns the cameras on the rehearsal process and his own exploration of Shakespeare's history and meaning. Scenes in full costume alternate with readings in street clothes, while interviews gather the opinions on the Bard of everyone from renowned scholars and Shakespearean actors to random New Yorkers. A trip to England allows brief visits to Shakespeare's birthplace and the Globe Theater, but Pacino's focus remains on the United States and his desire to prove that American actors can act the plays without mimicking their British counterparts. Clearly a labor of love for Pacino, the film benefits from his passionate persona and direct, no-nonsense attitude; while the performances may vary in quality, the film manifests a refreshingly casual, unpretentious, and enthusiastic approach to Shakespeare.~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Looking For Richard details

Format:	12 DVD
Starring:	Winona Ryder, Aidan Quinn, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey
Director:	Al Pacino
Genre:	Comedy - Drama
Studio:	20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT

DVD 1 disc

Name	Discs
Looking For Richard	12 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 47 minutes
Rental release:	03 Jan 2005
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review Looking For Richard

An Acting Masterclass

By Mr Pacino's Agent from Newcastle , 04 Jan 2005

[Highly rated reviewer]

Is this a film, is this a documentary ? Well it's both and it's brilliant. Follow Al Pacino on his rollercoaster jouney into discovering Shakespear and Richard III, from casting the roles, through understanding Shakespear's iambic pentameter, to creating a character and the actual performance. See Pacino, Spacey and Baldwin shine as themselves in this entertaning and informative insight into the world of method acting
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Looking for Richard

By Ave (63 reviews) from Rickmansworth , 27 Jul 2010

It was amazing It made me want to see the Shakespeare;s play. It was a documentary more thrilling than any fiction. Beautifully acted, good mixing of the play and history and the reality of theatre in modern America.

Wow! I might buy the film to watch again.
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Superb

By Simon Brookes from Worcester , 18 Jan 2010

Al Pacino & Shakespear, say no more !
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different

By a customer from Plymouth , 14 Dec 2009

thought it was a film got that wrong its like a documentry. though watched it still as al picino and kevin spacey are my favourite actors
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Looking for Richard

By ritanewby (6 reviews) from Skelmersdale , 01 Sep 2009

In this 'documentary' Al Pacino and friends set off on a quest to make one of Shakespeare's most difficult plays accessible to the general public, and succeeds. With stars such as Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin and Winona Ryder helping him along the way, we see a story unfold through discussion and disagreement and through brilliant theatrical performances from all involved. Somewhat of a ‘ This is Spinal Tap’ in its editing. Al Pacino dominates the role of Richard and demonstrates an acting ability far beyond the term ‘Greatness’.
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Looking for Richard

By a customer from London , 30 Oct 2008

Excellent insight into Al Pacino's love for Shakespeake. I really enjoyed it. Plus I didn't know the story so enjoyed that too.
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