King Lear

TV Series
1974–
2h

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:16

1 Video

2 Photos

Drama

When King Lear decides to step down from his throne, he decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters with tragic results.When King Lear decides to step down from his throne, he decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters with tragic results.When King Lear decides to step down from his throne, he decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters with tragic results.

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

YOUR RATING

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Episodes6

Browse episodes

1 Season 1974

Videos1

Trailer 1:16

King Lear

Photos

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King Lear

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
At the time of filming there was a strike at the BBC, so the producers at Thames found that some actors were available who would not otherwise have been affordable with Thames' budget restrictions. Ironically, this production was delayed because the stagehands at Thames also went on strike during production.

Quotes
Fool: If thou wert my fool. Nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time.
King Lear: How's that?
Fool: Thou shoulds't not have been old till thou hadst been wise.

Alternate versions
Also broadcast in a single 120 minute episode.

Connections
Version of King Lear (1909)

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

8/10

Pretty good, but a lot was cut.

The fool was almost completely cut, but this is a good version anyway. Gotta remember it was made for TV and take it as it is. I read somewhere that someone said once that they had never seen a bad version of "Hamlet", and that goes for Lear, too, though (big Peter Brook fan that I am) Peter Brook's version is one that I haven't made it all the way through quite yet. The running time here has been cut by almost an hour and a half, but that is OK. Patrick Magee started slowly, but his journey into madness is very effective. I have yet to see the version done by Laurence Olivier and I have high hopes for it. I am very happy with this version.