Metrograph

In filming Shakespeare’s blood-soaked Richard III—an ambitious Machiavellian and tyrant in the Bard’s telling—director Loncraine, lead McKellan, and production designer Tony Burrough took their cues from the ascendant totalitarian states and ideologues of the 1930s, from Mussolini’s Italy to Stalin’s USSR to the British Union of Fascists (BUF) headed by Oswald Mosley. (Loncraine’s intention, as stated, was to “mesh the 20th century imagery and the 16th century dialogue.”) A sleek and seductively sinister piece of work, true to the spirit of its source but never hamstrung by obligation to perfect fidelity, with McKellen outstanding as the oleaginous, chain-smoking Richard (a World War I veteran, like a certain Mr. Hitler), and Annette Bening in fine fettle as foil Queen Elizabeth.

Distributor: Park Circus

Please Note: This special screening is general admission with no reserved seating.

Q&A with Sir Ian McKellen moderated by film director Bill Condon on Sunday, April 5th