Much reviled at the time of it's release, this heavily cut, Danish
co-production horrified critics with it's bleak as possible take on what
some consider the world's greatest play.
Obviously influenced by nortic flicks from Dryer to Bergman,
Peter Brook shot this as a midevil horror show; and Pauline Kael called
it his "Night Of The Living Dead."
While certainly unfair to the scope of the Bard's vision, the
film is undeniably facinating; though sometimes tedious too. In the best
parts it comes alive with a vivid wickedness, you can certainly see how
Lear's daughter's came to hate his guts!
So, even if it does mutilate a classic, this film is pretty
amazing and highly recommendable. A dark product of it's own time, you
will scarcely see a Lear like this again.
co-production horrified critics with it's bleak as possible take on what
some consider the world's greatest play.
Obviously influenced by nortic flicks from Dryer to Bergman,
Peter Brook shot this as a midevil horror show; and Pauline Kael called
it his "Night Of The Living Dead."
While certainly unfair to the scope of the Bard's vision, the
film is undeniably facinating; though sometimes tedious too. In the best
parts it comes alive with a vivid wickedness, you can certainly see how
Lear's daughter's came to hate his guts!
So, even if it does mutilate a classic, this film is pretty
amazing and highly recommendable. A dark product of it's own time, you
will scarcely see a Lear like this again.