Overview
A gripping tale of ambition, power, and betrayal unfolds in a war-torn Britain.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- menacing
- cerebral
- theatrical
- serious film night
- shakespeare study
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a cerebral and cinematic Shakespeare adaptation, especially Ian McKellen's magnetic performance and the inventive 1930s fascist relocation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film transfers Shakespeare's Richard III into an alternate 1930s Britain governed by fascist imagery and authoritarian ambition.
The Wars of the Roses are imagined as a civil conflict occurring in 1930s Britain rather than medieval England.
Richard engineers murders, kidnappings, and factional betrayals to seize the British throne and consolidate dictatorial power.
The production uses 1930s uniforms, ceremonial spaces, propaganda-like staging, and military iconography to define Richard's regime.
Films like Richard III, and why
Macbeth
stylized fascist politics, Shakespearean power struggles, and heightened period drama
Coriolanus
ambitious classical adaptation with authoritarian politics, theatrical language, and moral darkness
The Lion in Winter
political manipulation, dynastic conflict, and visually forceful historical drama
Othello
Shakespearean intrigue recast through modern political violence and charismatic villainy
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Loncraine
- Release Date
- 1995-12-29
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (198)
Cast
- Ian McKellen
- Annette Bening
- Jim Broadbent
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Kristin Scott Thomas
- Adrian Dunbar
- Maggie Smith
- Tim McInnerny
- Edward Hardwicke
- Nigel Hawthorne
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Richard III about?
- A magnetic tyrant turns Shakespeare’s dynastic tragedy into a chilling fascist coup in alternate-history Britain.
- What is Richard III like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Richard III as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Richard III violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Richard III as graphic.
- What did critics think of Richard III?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a cerebral and cinematic Shakespeare adaptation, especially Ian McKellen's magnetic performance and the inventive 1930s fascist relocation.
- Which films are like Richard III?
- Films with a similar feel include Macbeth, Coriolanus, The Lion in Winter, and Othello.
- How long is Richard III?
- Richard III runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Richard III?
- In United States, Richard III streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
