Edward's Reviews > Richard III

There was a fine l995 modern dress version of the play with Ian McKellen as Richard, and after having reread the play, I want to resee the movie. A line like, "I am so far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin, tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye," reminds you superficially of Macbeth, but Richard enjoys his melodramatic villainy and has not even a hint of remorse. Typical of his absolute contempt for others is, "I wish the bastards dead," referring to his two innocent child nephews, who grown, are potential rivals. And of course, who can forget Richard's last words, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"? If this were a remade western, Richard would go down cursing, "Godammit, my gun is out of bullets ."