Al Pacino will play the title role in "King Lear," an adaptation of the Shakespeare play that will be directed by Michael Radford.
Radford, who wrote the script, is making his second Shakespearean foray with Pacino after their 2004 collaboration "Merchant of Venice," which cast Pacino as Shylock.
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I know the minute I read the title that Pacino had done some Shakespeare before. But I could not quite remember where and what thank for the reminder that was a great part!
He is fantastic. I would see him in anything he does. I saw him on stage once, and he was just as good, live. Great
Wow. I envy that experience. I would love to see him on stage. I've not been crazy about his more recent movies, but I think he is one of the most remarkable actors---especially his 70's movies. Just amazing. One of the best.
Hell. Yes.
I've always liked him, I'll watch it. I'd to see MacBeth done tho...
Pacino has been over-acting for years. I used to be a great fan; now I don't bother. King Lear should do quite nicely for this puffed-up peacock.
I wonder if it is just that scripts aren't as good as they used to be in the 70's. Or maybe they are as good, but the best won't get made. Who would ever kill Cool Hand Luke now? He would have lived. It's hard to imagine "Dog Day Afternoon" being made now. That was just the golden age of American film. And Pacino was one of the best things about it.
Al, Carpetland called, your rug is ready.
A narcissistic Italian misogynist to play Lear.
Don't roll over Will. It'll be finito in a blink.
"Lear" is an appropriate tale for these times even as it remains timeless.
Anyone who might like to hear a great "King Lear" must grab the BBC audio version featuring Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judy Dench and the late Sir John Gielgud as King Lear. You'll not regret it. As fine as anything ever recorded. The entire BBC series of Shakespeare's tragedies featuring many fine talents is breathtaking. Now I must make time to listen to them once again myself.
That being said, I eagerly look forward to seeing Al portray Lear.
Oh, I love "King Lear". I think it's Shakespeare's best play---or at least, it's my favorite. Kurasawa did a version of it called "Ran" (you probably already know this) that is phenomenal.
I've not heard the BBC version, but I love Judy Dench and John Gielgud. I'll look for that at the library.
My library has a bunch of DVD's of Shakespearean plays that I've always been afraid to rent---worried they might be bad. I wonder if they are BBC? I'll have to check. Was there a DVD version of this version?
Thanks for the recommendation.
Radford wrote the script to King Lear?
Guess they should've said "screenplay." Reminds me of one of the most unintentionally funny screen credits of all time: "William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew (additional dialogue Sam Taylor)"
That's funny.
Al, are you gone to phone this one in too?
He'll yell it in.
Al, you're lookin' gooood.
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Variety | February 4, 2009 08:22 AM