Laurence Olivier: 'Richard III'- Richard woos Anne (2 of 2)

[MissyHolland]

Olivier admitted in his autobiography that he was a terrible lover -he even admits to being much too quick! lol- but you'd never guess it from this scene, and Wuthering Heights.

[helaughslikemuttley]

I love when he says "... tailors...to adorn my body" and his cheeky shake of the head! I wish I had been around to see him perform live on stage. Thank goodness we have some of his stage performances captured on film. Love, love Lord Larry....the voice, the eyes...*sigh*....sex appeal on legs!

[csawyer55]

Search Shakespeare in the Kitchen-14 characters in 14 weeks

[kevinastraw]

I don't think Olivier speaks Shakespeare very well - there's no emotion there.

[readtoomuch]

This fate could have been avoided IF she had a sassy gay friend.......

[kevinastraw]

A classic piece of misogyny - from mourning to mooning in a few short minutes.

[takewhatswrongand]

Manohla Dargis -- in the New York Times -- compares Alan Rickman's work in the final HP film to this scene. I've neither the education nor the frame of reference to comment on that statement, but this is Sir Laurence and the Bard -- hallowed territory. No?

[GrissomLovesSara]

@takewhatswrongand Was trying to figure this out too. Not sure AR was compared to THIS scene in particular but to Olivier's R III in general. When I first saw the video I thought ...the dark hair and then you can sort of hear a little bit of similarity in the clipped way LO speaks. It may also be a reference to the character's overall demeanor? It IS a compliment though. Sir LO is hallowed. To me Alan is just as hallowed and I love that a reviewer gets the immensity of the affect of Snape.

[arisztidoltz]

I bet you he wishes he had a "That was easy" Button.

[edgeacebeaglebrady]

Olivier is THE definitive Richard III. This scene is my favorite love scene ever. Not that I am against it, but this shows you that you don't need to show everything, and get naked to have a hot love scene.

[chohashi]

Legendary kiss scene... and to think that they are 24 years apart

[Rennimagus]

OMG, It's Lord Farquad!!!

[monkeyzinabarrel]

Frailty, THY NAME IS WOMAN!!!!!!!!!

[skymelts]

"Upon my life, she finds (although I cannot)

Myself to be a marv'lous proper man"

How ever could Laurence Olivier not be a "marv'lous proper man"? (:

[cbrusharmy]

I have news for you, boys, it ain't that easy. =]

[senosab]

Frailty, thy name is woman!

[Chiswick2]

He is such a great Richard, one of the best I have seen. A lot of people try to make Richard seem like an angry and miserable person, but Olivier gives him an arrogant charm which makes him seem truly evil. He even seems almost happy in some scenes, which is so effective and gives a Machiavellian air to the character which is perfect for playing Richard III.

[margacat]

"take up the sword or take me". that's a kiss!

[DarthWill3]

I wish we could see this film version of George's death.

[missbabyice]

Love this scene. It's seductive but you can also tell Richard's making fun of romance. :D

[viechbaderin]

Larry is THE MAN!

[martythetickler]

That, ladies & gentlemen, is the greatest actor of all time in his greatest performance.

[92af]

Peter Cushing was much better than Laurence Olivier was

[funkybuddha]

Damn, Richard is one smooth operator!

[MrActor123456789]

GRR that's like a quarter of the full speech at the end. ASFSAFSKAFNSA

[Fujikorific]

Damn, would it be blasphemy to Shakespeare to say that Olivier makes Richard really hot in this scene? I like how he grabs her and shows her who's boss...mmm...

[Nelsonhojax15]

lol

[Medusa0999]

@Fujikorific HA! because Shakespeare's play is so very historically accurate! ¬.¬

[Cybele1986]

@Fujikorific Richard IS attractive mostly because he makes everyone else in the play look like tools and morons

[saharabdelmonsef2]

was ever woman in this humor wooed? , was ever woman in this humor won?!!!

i'll have her but i will not keep her long!!!!!!!

love you my favourit villian

[dajohnthomas69]

Olivier performed Richard III on the stage to great acclaim. Before this movie takes off, Olivier refers implicitly to the then renewed views on Richard III caracter and (political) life. NB: As a historical figure, not a literary figure. This was triggered by a novel written by Josephine Tey. Olivier stresses that what Shakepeare wrote about Richard III, was the legend that was created during Tudor-reign.

[jsousa2939]

This is Sir Lawrence olivier Guys Lawrence olivier dear God

[nosenipples]

Niiice, Richard. Very nice.

[mrkotko]

I'm playing this scene, too... It's incredible! The whole play, of course...

[thermokipiatsi]

me 2 me 2!

[pwnyoubitch]

wow you are playing shakespeare you are so cool dude i wish i was you so i could be somebody.

[Medusa0999]

this is my fav verson of the wooing ^^

i think it definatly helped that the actors were romantically involed at the time, it gives the scene a something that the others lack

[yanpan16]

manipulation at its best! evil richard.

[melwyn777]

Genius a true great.

[G1K1F1E]

i'll do this scene in Hebrew....!

it's the best dialog in the play!

[merrythefairy]

when i play anne they'll be no crying!

i scream and shout and him and push him around

haha this play is so much fun to act!

[chinagrrl]

I don't get the attraction Anne feels for Richard. I can only think is that Anne doesn't really have a choice in the matter and she knows it. I don't know if she totally bought the story that Richard was in love with her, but it must be a relief to feel needed and not cast aside in a nunnery forever.

[roguefem]

Oh man, Olivier was SO amazing in this scene. It's a shame Anne doesn't have more fight. I can't blame the actress since that 'wilting violet' act was the 'fad' for women at the time, but having Anne so weak makes it unfair from the start. A stronger Anne would have made Richard's accomplishment that much more startling and impressive.

I'm so glad Olivier left in the speech after. It's almost cute the way Richard is so bemused by his success. He never doubts himself except when it comes to her.

[supersomethingx]

oh richard, you naught, naughty boy.

and anne...silly, silly anne.

[jrmmudlover]

I'm going to kill that son of a bitch if Anne won't.

[Hiberniensis]

What excellence. There are so many subtle things one could praise about this but I'll confine myself only to remarking that the way he speaks to the camera really makes the viewer feel drawn in and implicated in his machinations, and when she exits he really does seem astonished with himself for what he's just pulled off.

[ejucatedhorse42]

Damn. Olivier is so good.

[KlauditoAustralia]

Courting the pretty young widow over her husband's grave, Richard you naughty boy. Great scene.

[Paperclip2000]

What though I killed her husband!

[edoboleyn]

I'm not crazy about Claire Bloom as Anne in this part--she seems weaker than usual. But I absolutely Oliver as Richard. That kiss!

Thanks for posting!

[Zcarah]

That is my favorite movie kiss ever. Very passionate , kinda like my "ideal kiss". I love how he grabs her arm and pulls her close...It really does make him look attractive...

[ofgreenapples]

that kiss is so ridiculous, it makes no sense for the character of Richard III

[ShamanMick]

This is great! I have to perform this scene and Olivier makes such a meal of the role! Lady Anne could be better, but meh.

[HistoryGeek4U]

Laurence Olivier, like Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, breathed life into Shakespeare's characters; in this case, he portrays Richard III as a coniving villian who seduces the widow of a prince he killed. He also weasels his way to the English throne only to be defeated in the War of the Roses.

[LadyAethelflaed]

this is genius. here go I a jolly thriving wooer!

[intoxicatedfruitbat]

Thanks a ton for putting this up :)

[AimeeOrchel]

Oh, thank you for putting this up! I'm studying this for my SATs and this has helped a lot! Thanks!

[ShakespeareHamlet]

Olivier was one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his time. The Bard himself would be proud of this film version and completely disown the 1995 mishmash with Ian McKellen.

[Kanaris44]

Oh, I love Olivier as Richard. And this is one of the best bits. Thanks a lot for uploading this