Richard Loncraine

Ian McKellen’s annotated screenplay for his and Richard Loncraine’s 1995 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s 1592-1594 play, Richard III, is a great read for both film and theatre lovers, particularly those who enjoy the works of William Shakespeare. McKellen and Loncraine developed the film based on Richard Eyre’s stage production. Rather than set the play in its historical setting of the late 1470s through 1485, Loncraine and McKellen chose more recent history as their setting show more in order to better translate Shakespeare’s intent for a modern audience. In this case, they imagine 1930s Britain under fascist rule, as if Oswald Mosely’s British Union of Fascists and King Edward VIII had succeeded. These historical changes notwithstanding, the film faithfully adapts the plot and text of Shakespeare’s play.

McKellen describes the intent in changing the play’s chronological setting, “To direct the audience away from history and toward the events and themes of the play as far as they were relevant to their own lives, the original production would have been performed in contemporary, Elizabethan dress. Historical ‘authenticity’ of costume and setting only became fashionable in the theatre of the Victorians, with their interest in things medieval” (pgs. 11-12). Further, “The crucial advantage of a modern setting is clarity of storytelling… The audience needs to be able to recognize who is royalty, aristocrat, commoner and who is politician, civil servant, military. By their clothes, you shall know them. If this were true of the play, it would be equally valid for the film” (pg. 12). McKellen writes of the timeless impact of Shakespeare’s works, “Each generation has always been able to extract from Shakespeare its own message” (pg. 24). Thus, it was his and Loncraine’s hope that their reinterpretation of Richard III would aid new viewers in extracting meaning. This book includes 59 stills from unit photographer Alex Bailey to illustrate the scenes and compliment McKellen’s notes on each page. A great behind-the-scenes look at a fantastic adaptation of Shakespeare’s work. show less

Adapted from a Peter Straub novel this is an intelligent, slow-moving but eminently effective ghost story built around the pain of grief and loss. Director Richard Loncraine avoids obvious scares, concentrating instead on the slow accumulation of eerie atmosphere, before delivering a devastating final five minutes. The acting is good throughout; the camerawork by Peter Hannan is subtle (if a touch over gauzy at times) and Colin Towns delivers an appropriately spooky piano score. An effective show more and subtle old-fashioned ghost story - with a devastating conclusion! show less

A beautifully made and poignant film, with Maggie Smith superb as the main protagonist, and Ronnie Barker excellent as a bereaved Major. Emmy Clarke is the young Aimee, traumatised by an incident early in the film, gradually blossoming with love and nature.

It's overall an encouraging and uplifting film, albeit quite slow-paced, and with some unpleasant flashbacks that really don't add anything to the storyline.

Recommended to adults; most likely to appeal to those of middle age or older. show more

Latest full review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2021/08/my-house-in-umbria-maggie-smith.html show less

This 10-part HBO television miniseries focuses on Easy Company, a group of American soldiers in World War II, tracking their experiences from the beginning of boot camp to the end of the war. Anchored by actors Damian Lewis and Ron Livingston, the series gives detailed attention to their experiences as a group, as well as the way that each of them develops individually. Based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose's book of real-life accounts, BAND OF BROTHERS was executive produced by Steven show more Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who worked together on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Hanks also directed one episode, featuring his son, Colin Hanks. show less