3 versions of 'Richard III'--"Now is the winter of...

[CymbalRush]

Respect to all, but Antony Sher is the only Richard III, in my mind.

[Umlatta]

the Ron Cook version of this play and Henry VI cycle (particulary) Henry VI pt 3 are brilliant

[HELPTHEPICKLEISALIVE]

Why is Peter Slinger's left arm moving normally?

[HELPTHEPICKLEISALIVE]

@HELPTHEPICKLEISALIVE Sorry, Jonathan Slinger.

[Lefty001]

Slinger's is really good I find. You can tell he's having fun with it.

[CatObsessed]

I felt Ron Cook's version brought something different - less panto villain, more sympathy, that makes the villain Richard III becomes more dramatic. If you think about it, we are sneering at a man with a birth defect, who has been scorned by the world...

[n0iwont]

I couldn't have been doing with sitting through that Slinger performance...nauseating to look at and hell on the ears, with all that yelling... no wonder dogs barked at him. Ron Cook - could listen to his voice all night. I McK - too old.

[MandeeSparkle]

JON SLINGER! I LOVE YOU!

[IndPhilosophy]

Three fantastic versions of such an excellent opening scene. The subtlety of Ron Cooks performance and the insanity of Jonathon Slingers, highlight elements of Richard's character that Ian McKellen chooses to put less emphasis on.

[katesobrien]

Those posters criticising Slinger's version seem to have overlooked that this is the only theatrical version of the three. Shakespeare's plays were written to be performed live in theatres so he wrote in a way that demands a delivery such as Slinger's. The other two versions are fine in terms of their medium, but they are not plays, they are 2D.

I was lucky enough to see the RSC history cycle at Stratford and Slinger was wonderful in the roles he played (Richard II, Fluellen and Richard III).

[mcscruttock]

Cook's take demands you see the whole play - then it makes sense. McKellen's piece had too much other stuff going on, distracting from the actual words. Slinger might cause a headache after 2 hours? Less is more. Will be interesting to see how Spacey plays the role this year.

FYI all 36 BBC plays are on DVD for £75 – what a bargain! John Barton’s 1980s Playing Shakespeare box set is now available too; seeing David Suchet kick Patrick Stewart’s ass on how to act Shylock is worth the money alone.

[kevinastraw]

Cook is competent, Slinger over the top, McKellen good but enormously helped by the direction..

[notdeadjustlazy]

God the first 2 are absolutely shite, especially Ron Cook, no projection, no fire, no machiavellian menace, he sounds like he is reading a shopping list. That is the problem with too many shakespearean performances they read shakespeare they dont really feel him, they dont pause & savour, so they come off as staid & tedious.

[kevinastraw]

@notdeadjustlazy Perfect comment - them's my sentiments exactly. Shakespeare demands total emotional and intellectual dedication from the actor. He is difficult to get right. McKellen gets nearest.

[tusculum30]

Thank you for this video. This is one of my favorite scenes in all of The Bard's works and all ably done. In their respective ways.

[tvdd1973]

I feel a little sorry for Slinger here. His is a theatrical performance in the true sense of the word and whilst I'm not convinced I'd want to sit through three hours of that kind of deliberate self-parody I can see why he's done it that way. McKellan and Cook were doing film versions and the McKellan film, in particular, gives him so much support with cut-away shots, changes of scene etc. It's a monstrous role and the opening monologue is as close to impossible as any in Shakespeare.

[CitizenPurpelios]

@dancupid I really like this idea!

[alcore3]

where is Pacino ?

[kevinastraw]

@alcore3 Absolutely! My theory is that the Americans can do Shakespeare better than the English. Their accent is closer to begin with. The problem with Shakespeare is that the actors do not immerse themselves in the language. Ron Cook here is reciting the lines, not living them - there is a noticeable gap between what the words mean and the "reality" they should conjure up.

[alcore3]

@kevinastraw

thank you

i m not english, nor american, but i feel closer to PAcino (which is half italian) than british actors.

I can t say in general american actors are better, but in his movie (Pacino s) we can see wiwona ryder as a very good Lady and other american actors too.

[asiguere]

i like al pacino's :P

[LittleMissPatriot]

The second brings in Richard's sarcasm, his passion, his range, and his sadistic thrill-- I of course have always been awed by McKellan, but I really, really like Slinger's.

[operalament]

sorry, i think both are terrible

mckellens is the best of the three

[operalament]

sorry, i think both are terrible

[mecampbellesq]

Of the three, I prefer both McKellan's and Cook's Performances: McKellan's feels more 'realistic'...you could imagine someone actually saying the words...Cook's performance on the other hand is far, far more intimate: Since it was being filmed for television they could get much closer to you than would normally be expected in film...it felt like richard was talking straight to you, sharing a secret. in comparison to these two, Slinger's perfromence was that of a drama student..all ham, no power.

[edgeandmybeaglerule]

Olivier's version leaves these versions in the dust. I still can't get into McKellen's version.

[gpyork]

more jonathan slinger please

[outworldarts]

I love them all.

[anastazsa]

It take guts to walk in Olivier's shadow, and dare to speak this poetry. Olivier's Richard is unsurpassed because he lets the scansion create the character, weave the illusion, with swelling rhythms and halts; with words that stab and lull; with impeccable timing. I don't think Cook is up to it. Slinger is, as he takes command of a live audience; McKellen is so gifted, but in yielding to cinematic devices to create character, he muzzles the power of the language, which becomes a film-script,

[wordforger]

Cook's a bit more subdued than one would usually see Richard played, and it takes a bit of effort to get into his performance. I think the part that drew me in with this monologue was the part where he gets just a little smile and a glint in his eye when he's talking about his plots. It's positively chilling because he talks about them so calmly.

Besides that, I enjoyed McKellan's performance most. He doesn't overdo it, and draws you in at the first line, something Cook fails in.

[nicodagger]

fatheranthony: that is high praise indeed, coming from Sir Ian, who was outstanding as Richard himself...who played Richard in the Melbourne production? Have you seen that old clip of Peter Sellers reciting the words to the Beatles song "Hard Day's Night", in the costume and using the same vocal mannerisms as was used by Olivier in his portrayal of Richard? Brilliant, check it out on Youtube.

[margiasbotoe]

thought someone of this standard would have done the full monolouge ?

[BlancheTudor]

Just to anybody as an information: Richard didn't limb. Neither was he in any form disformed. He was accounted for as the most handsome guy at his time.

[margiasbotoe]

sounds like hewell bennet.

[nicodagger]

I saw Gielgud at the Old Vic as Richard, and he is the best I have ever seen, and I've seen every major performance of this play since 1939, when a small child....no one can touch Gielgud...well, maybe his boyfriend touched him, but still....

[fatheranthony4pope]

@nicodagger the best perfromance of this play was in melbourne this year - was phenomenal (was set in the current day) and ian mckellen who was in town and saw it was the one who claimed it was the best production of it that he has ever seen - was a tour de' force. amazing!

[BABBYlonian]

Look up how to read the folio text, then you'll understand what Shakespeare really wants you to say.

[BagpussJanet]

I was lucky enough to see Richard III with Jonathan Slinger in 2008 and he was simply brilliant.

Thanks for posting.

[sharpie443]

This is my favorite play. I wish i could see it preformed live.

[thallassocracy]

Most actors play Richard as a villain - but Ron Cook plays him as a psychopath, genuinely lacking in any sense of right or wrong.

Cook had the advantage of being in the BBC TV Shakespeare, where Richard III comes at the end of all three parts of Henry VI - so you get a chance to see society fall apart plank by plank (literally so, in the case of this production).

[sharpie443]

I hate Cook's representation of Richard. It's clear from the opening and his wooing lady anne that is is completely aware of what he is doing. In the opening he explains why he is doing it. This is my favorite play but Cooks version is not my favorite portrayal of it.

[dolphoto]

The key thing is to decide whether you want to play it the way Shakespeare intended or if you choose to leave room for some humanity. Remember that it was to Shakespeare benefit to portray Richard as an arch villian.

[Ennio444]

@dolphoto

Yet Shakespeare gave Richard some moments of humanity. It was Marlowe's fashion to use clichés, but not Shakespeare's.

Shakespeare never played black or white with his characters. Look at Shylock, even he has his humanity, his shades and lights. That's why I think that Richard was made with some humanity. Scenes like that of the dream before Bosworth.

[boifromeast]

I'm studying this monologue in college and I'm in desperate need of help.

I've been studying it for about 2-3 days but I'm really unsure of the point of this monologue in terms of Richards reason/s for it.

I'd greatly appreciate help if anyone here can offer it.

Thanks.

[heliotropezzz333]

@boifromeast Well, I think Richard is giving the background to the play (the war that's just ended) and also introducing you to himself and his character (bad). It also starts to explain the plot. It's a soliloquy. Throughout the play he's often letting the audience into what he's thinking through soliloquies i.e look how bad and clever I am- look what bad things I'm going to do next or look what I did wasn't that clever?

[12stringsforme]

Richard sets up the stories' introduction here-the place and time, who he is, his motives, his envies and hatreds, 'plots have I laid', he revels in times of chaos, not this 'piping time of peace'. He seeks power.

[sethkaleb2]

If you don't get it after a couple of times you should give up. Go to tech instead.

[tharanis2006]

Well, I saw this production of "Richard III" in Stratford upon Avon back in 2008 with Salinger and the RSC ensemble.

[frankantoniomartin]

Many actor's are overwhelmed by this part. Olivier's performance is so well known and so definitive, that it is frightening to stand in his shadow. You have to screw yourself to the sticking place to do this part,

[1micbacts]

johnathan slinger is the most self indulgent prick ever!

it's the funny voice brigade. all he does is show us his vocal range.

dear me

[ThrawnDuGard2]

I prefeer Ian McKellen's...

[DarthWill3]

Why not? It's the more modern version in dialogue.

[drcoxcentral]

Cook is dry, Slinger is drunk, and McKellen (no disrespect) needs a little bit of work. The only Richard that works for me is Olivier.

[goback3spaces]

You are so Goddamned right. Anyone who ever doubts Olivier's genius ought to listen to these three guys first, and then go back to the master. And compare.

[nokomarie1963]

My vote is for Peter Sellers.

[orchote]

Cook just makes me think of what it would be like if Dudley Moore had tried to do the part..

[jazzmantrey]

I don't much care for Ron Cook's Richard, he dosn't do anything with it that grabs me. Jonathan Slinger is quite good, I wish I could see him do the whole show. I love McKellen's film, but I do wish there was a video of him doing an unabridged version of the show.

[Prycik]

I'm doing my thesis on Richard. Cook's version reminded me of the Dutchess of York's line: "More mild, and yet more deadly." He played it like a man-child whose growth was stunted. That's why I like it- it in some ways makes more of the text than Olivier did- he cut half the script!

[jazzmantrey]

Interesting point. I always felt that the "more mild" only needs to be around others. That's one of the things I love about Shakespeare, how it can be played in many different ways, and none are nessasarily wrong. My problem with Cook's performance was simply that he didn't pull me in, and I feel that especially in the opening monolouge, Richard should. There are many ways he could have, even in keeping with his character interperitation. That's not to say he was bad, I just didn't care for him.

[pata16]

Slinger would be a great Count Fenring in the new Dune movie...

[Jawa1604]

I thought Jonathan Slinger's Rchard was wonderful and he was quite scary to watch at times. Having seen the History plays in Stratford I got to see the developmet of Richard's character through the Henry VI plays to the point in this clip. His Richard makes much more sense if you've seen this.

The other two actors are also good. These clips show how much the same words can be interpreted in different ways.

[Medusa0999]

My issue with Ian McKellen is that (to me) i feel he doesn't act the part.

if i watch him in a movie it's like it's just Ian McKellen reading the lines, i don't feel he IS the character .

the main reason i feel i like the Laurence Olivier is because they attempt to make him look like Richard.

In any case none of the above portray the real Richard. It would be amazing if there was a richardian verson of his life :3

[THISNAMEOWNS]

the first one was quite pathetic. second one nails the "true" richard from the play

i personally liked sir Ians verson the best as it really brings the character to life...and not in a cheesy way either

[pooisgood123]

the 1st one is pathetic. the third one is the only film version that is worth your time.

[Medusa0999]

The thrid is ok but i cannot stand Sir Ian at all. The first is a reasonably good verson but the Lawrence O verson is truely the best

[mollyrosez2002]

all three are wonderful for different reasons (including the overall 'vision' of the piece) - I saw Slinger numerous times in this role and throughout the History Cycle in Stratford - wondrous, sublime, sinister and rightfully pitiable and fearful, in turn!

Cook brings his character-actor experience to a delightfully nuanced production for the BBC's effort and Sir Ian's hunchback is a wickedly-fun creation meant to link past and present.

[Crittenberger]

Anyone who doesn't get the brilliance of Jonathan Slinger isn't worth the time. Perhaps I have an unfair advantage, having come to R3 immediately after the preceeding seven plays, but he is simply the finest actor I've ever seen in anything ever. :3

[GBor7732]

1st versiopn is the best, most trueful, and the only one worth seing. WTF is up with the baldy in the 2nd one or the Hitler in the 3rd?

[jamogumpman]

you actually dont have a clue whave a clue what your talking about do you...the first one is wank compared to the second...richard slinger is 10 times the actor than him u fool....yes his voice is clear for your undeerstanding but there is nothing sinister or scary about him..but the second nails everythig even from richards physicality to his feelings which the first appears to not even have really considered..jus thought you should know :D

[fullclip16117]

I agree, Ron Cook was awesome. I'm not saying that he's necessarily a better performer than Sir Ian Mckellan, but I didn't like that take on Richard III. All things considered, Ron Cook did the soliloquy the best.

[concentricity000]

The first two interpretations made me cringe. Sir Ian at least had strong technique, and while his performance wasn't great Shakespeare, it was yet an admirable imitation of 30s political oratory.

In the end, I think the above strengthen the argument for playing Shakespeare straight. It's sad the way various thesps and directors keep screwing around with his work. I guess they're afraid the bard won't bear repetition. Another example of the modern fear of staying the same....

[greengalipote]

I would like to defend the two first versions, the second one in particular. After all it's a bit unfair to compare them in this way to Richard Loncraine's beautifully realised film. The first production is little more than a filmed play, and the second wasn't made to be seen on screen at all!

However I still do prefer Ian Mckellen's interpretation, although, having also seen Jon Slinger on stage before, let me tell you he is an amazing actor!

[ThrawnDuGard2]

@greengalipote

No doubt, but im my heart, however stereotypical it sound;

Ian Mckellen will allways be Richard the third, but let there be no doubt eighter that Jon Slinger is one of the finest actor there ever will be :D

[BlueCrystalGem]

@greengalipote there's nothing wrong with the second one. I like it. It's very lively and passionate.

[slapamole]

no. there is nothing unprovoked - definitely not the laughter. did you bother to watch the rest of the film?

1990's?

not paying any attention.

you're criticizing what you see as a deviation from how this should be performed.

but there is much to be gained from a fresh approach.

[elleoneiram]

I love what each actor brings to it. Ron Cook is humorously unassuming, Jonathan Slinger amazing (and amazingly creepy), and I like the way Ian McKellen's speech is divided. I wish I could have seen the Royal Shakespeare Company's histories, performed by the same cast. That would have been fantastic.

[studiomarcel]

Bravo!

[br1991]

Whatever you may think of the production ideas behind McKellen's Richard III -- I think they're great, but to each his own -- McKellen was no unwitting participant in it. He was a principle shaper of the film, from script to setting.

[tenorismo]

" Are burzed arms ung up fa monyaments " ?

[kirkwanglers32]

So Hard to remmber.

[SirCoughsalot]

Shakespeare is much easier to understand when it's acted instead of read.

[NakedREVIEWER]

I do not like Ron Cook's performance it lacks feeling.

I absolutely love McKellen at the urinal talking to himself, such an amazing way of performing this soliloquay.

[DanielMumby]

Have seen Jonathan Slinger's Richard in the flesh - absolutely gripping

[DanielMumby]

Ron Cook looks like Rick Wright with that hair

[fouxdefa]

Slinger's muffled voice in the towel, lol...

[mzltv]

"2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps" is much better.

[lucelli1chivas]

i think laurence olivier's was the best!!!

[Jitpring]

The chalk bit is rather silly.

[ZahirOfAGeisha]

didn't really like the first one, he simply goes through the text without making us feel it. the second one however was pretty good, but the directing there was really poor, and also he overacted too much for my taste. sir mckellen remains without peer in this contest =)

[MushroomSoup710]

Isnt Richard III suppose to be deform? This actor should put on more makeup

[metalgod2347]

it doesnt have to be a facial deformity. richard is usually played as a hunchback.

[NilatB]

And one deformed hand usually

[TheJazzManKing]

I agree! They're great!

[samgardner2]

Jonathon Slinger kicks ass, he is one of the best theatre actors around. Everyone needs to see the Histories. They are fucking amazing.

[TheJazzManKing]

The first, though I like Rob Cook, isn't nasty enough to be richard. The third is fantastic. Ian Macellan is an amazing actor, and he puts his performance forward well. However, the best in my oppinion, is the seccond. Jonathan Slinger is by far one of the greatest actors alive. I am very privilaged to have seen him live, and have met him.

[elleoneiram]

I really would like to see Jonathan Slinger's complete rendition of Richard III. This speech was beautifully done. McKellen's is interestingly nonchalant. I have to say, I really like Ron Cook because his supposed vulnerability is conveyed to everyone in the play. He certainly had me rooting for him, playing up the humor. Perhaps Slinger would be a much more frightening Richard.

[simpsone4]

Richard really shouldn't be as "nasty" as people generally play him. He is a living breathing character and with real motives and emotions, which are revealed during his soliloquy in Henry VI 3. To reduce him to a nasty, disgusting monster is to water down one of Shakespeare's most vibrant villains.

[spuddyfodno]

"Now is the winter of our discontent"

Winter of discontent - means that our discontent is in decline.

"Made glorious summer by this son of York"

For son read -Sun- you see: Winter made summer

If our discontent isn't in winter but summer, that means we're:

Not happy!

[deadxkorps]

Sir Ian McKellen is the best of the three for me. I don't like the so called "modern" setting of the second, nor the first one that begins with a fallacy : I doubt Richard The Third would have written "Richard" with this kind of letters... So if you want to go in the "middle ages" thing, then do it all the way...

[elleoneiram]

I think that's the title of the whole recording of the play. Like the title credits.

[editorblue]

Why is Gandalf dressed like a Nazi?

Heh heh, just kidding, Ian McKellan was the best of the three...

[butifarra61]

thank you but the sir olivier in another vid. is longer?

[randomagain101]

first one is good

[Ungulata]

Ron Cook speaks a bit too fast.

[randomagain101]

the second one is alwful rendision

[matnichol]

All 3 are great versions. Nice to see that.

[chaoscast]

great great great

[pata16]

they were all great, but slinger takes the prize...great video, by the way...

[Cheengow]

Yes, I enjoyed it very much. More Shakespeare on Youtube please!

[swannavon]

Thank you for this. Quite delightful!

[dzarna]

thank you for this great video