imagine walking into the wrong door and this guy starts talking to you like this

I love the intro to Richard III because he makes you a co-conspirator in his evil, to the point where you almost root for him

Possibly the greatest four and a half minuets of English writing and acting. Truly amazing.

Imagine being an actor auditioning for Richard and the guy before you does this lol

"Whom I, some small time since, stabbed in my angry mood, at Tewkesbury." We've all been there, Richard.

I'm going to memorize this speech for the next time a cop pulls me over and asks me if I know what the speed limit is.

He looks like Lord Farquaad

Shakespeare would have been amazed by this performance. No-one will ever claim to be the equal of Laurence Olivier.

I know people in the modern day would like to ridicule and parody Olivier and his pattern of speech...but I did not need to read to script while he spoke to see EVERY IMAGE and FEEL IT when he transformed into Richard III.

60 odd years on and its still wonderful. Olivier shows his majesty right here.

Laurence Olivier was brilliant.

A work of genius. Nay, a masterclass in iambic delivery; its volume, rhythm, beats, syntax -- all superlative. How a person can understand such language and give it such emotional gravitas is an inspiration to all. God bless Olivier.

I have always loved Olivier, I'm not an actor or profess to know what's good or bad. All I know is Laurence Olivier is just mesmerizing, brilliant, authentic and captivating to watch. I love all his Shakespearean soliloquy/monologue's, but most importantly I just enjoy watching him. 🙏🏾

What a great actor Laurence Olivier was. Even actors like Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart regarded Olivier as the finest of his peers.

I'm enthralled by this performance. The meter and the rhyme, in crescendo to an explosive and brutal climax. Amazing.

Breathtaking! Simply breathtaking. Olivier is a master, a virtuoso, Beethoven on the stage. He speaks like Pavarotti sings.

For a guy who's left winter of discontent for a glorious summer, he sounds pretty pissed. Must be all those dogs barking at him what done it.

Now is the discount of our winter tents.

My favourite Shakespeare speech, performed by my favourite actor.

Stunning beyond all measure! The words and the delivery UNEQUALED! Unequaled. One can listen to this over and over again and always be awed. Bravo Sir Laurence Olivier !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely first-class. Both the delivery, photography and direction was spellbindingly good.

I've watched this over and over again. Such wonderful writing and great acting. He did such a good job!

My god! Such fire! Such passion! Truly gods once walked the earth in the guise of minstrels. Shakespeare be praised!

Still brilliant - BTW the Lady Ann was his childhood sweet heart - she had been forced to marry York dynastically - Richard and Ann loved each other very much and their marriage was a true love match

Shakespeare did a hatchet job on him, a brave warrior & the last in line of the noble Plantagenets

Now that, my friends is genius.

I never could follow, much less appreciate Shakespeare, until I heard Olivier.

The monologue is taken from two different ones of Gloucester's & skillfully interlaced & combined into one. Starts with Richard III then back to Henry VI (Part 3) then back again to Richard III then back to Henry to the end of the main speech then climbs the steps, looks out the window & descants about his desire for The Lady Ann, who is then pursued despite her hatred of him

Scathing! Talk about the art of the insult. Hilarious infact! Probably my favourite piece of prose of all time. Stating the obvious here, but pur Genius. Oliver is a God with this delivery. No one could ever do it better.

I think this is Olivier's best Shakespeare performance on film.

now that's how you do a Career Day presentation

The magnificence of Sir Laurence Olivier.

Imperious performance. Exorbitant talent. Ruthless delivery of his intentions.

Without doubt the greatest performance of Shakespeare's Richard III by any actor.

I read this play innumerable times in high school, and I found it so difficult to understand. I heard Olivier in this scene, and the whole play just exploded into reality! Olivier remains the epitome for me of all Shakesperian actors ... and any other role by any other author he performed. Such a genius!!

Watching this is like witnessing magic!!!

It is very difficult for an actor to bring Shakespeare's words to such life that common ordinary, uneducated folk such as me are enchanted by it and actually *understand* it. :) And yet Olivier could do it. It's like music. It's amazing.

Olivier is breathtaking as Richard

The greatest Actor of all time

My all-time favorite villain. I find it impossible to root against him.

one of the best speeches i've ever seen

Simply breathtaking. Cunning and evil the acting beyond all other artists and the writing......well what can you say!

Now watch Olivier as Henry V: "St. Crispin's Day" . No doubt Olivier was 20th century’s most brilliant classical actor and Old Bills best !!!

Sir Laurence Olivier is the one and only LORD OF THE STAGE.

"... stabbed in my angry mood at Tewkesbury" - I just love that line and his delivery. He makes a premeditated murder sound like a minor inconvenience he took care of one idle afternoon.

Bravo, it s a real pleasure to hear a performance at this level of perfection..... Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. 5 Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; 10 And now, instead of mounting barded steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, 15 Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, 20 Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them; Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, 25 Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity: And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, 30 I am determined to prove a villain And hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king 35 In deadly hate the one against the other: And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false and treacherous,

My 18th great Uncle King Richard the 3rd of England, Wonderful!. :)

Superb....this play helped my love of history blossom......and Olivier was marvellous as Richard....so over the top brilliant!....

Sir Laurence Olivier is still the best. I believe he will never be surpassed. I do enjoy other actors but they are not Olivier.

I find this hypnotizing. MAGNIFICENT!!!

Why this way is so impressive? First of all because it remains so difficult to me to find another Richard as TERRIFIC as Olivier. His pronounciation of English is so eye-catching. Seriously I have boosebumps and feel scared... Fucking brillant...!

All in one take. Couldn't do that now. Our limited attention spans would have us checking our phones after 20 seconds !

5:12; "A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman this spacious world cannot again afford." he, he 🤭

It's a joy to be among so many who appreciate this masterpiece. Here's where it comes from: 1. Richard lll, speaking as Gloucester (Richard): Now is the winter of our discontent... 2. Henry Vl, Part lll, Act lll, Scene ll (Henry): Why, love foreswore me in my mother's womb... 3. Richard: Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace... 4. Henry: Then, since this earth affords no joy to me... 5. Unknown. I can't find it. Meantime, I'll marry with the Lady Anne... 6. Henry: That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring....end.

He actually delivers one of the creepiest turns in film history. Oliver’s performance in this movie is so frightening at times that it could easily stand against any horror film.

I strive to be the Richard of our age, but alas, I have no more brothers to slay!

I pictured him walking down a cobbled street when I read this opening speech.

He was the very best. ;)

Shakespeare, the moon landings, early Kraftwerk.....these are the things humanity can be proud of.

Laurence Olivier is so excellent here.

Fascinante..graxiee !!!!!

its been 2 and a half years since i first watch this....

Fun fact. Richard III was the inspiration for Frank Underwood in House of Cards, including his regular breaking of the fourth wall.

Greatest Shakespeare portrayals I've ever seen of characters I'd play if I were a decent actor. Richard III - Laurence Olivier Mark Antony - Marlon Brando Henry V - Kenneth Branagh The Ghost - Paul Scofield Puck - Stanley Tucci Caliban - Djimon Honsou Benvolio - Dash Mihok Cassio - Nathaniel Parker MacDuff - Sean Harris Don Pedro - Denzel Washington Lear's Fool - Sylvester McCoy Lucentio - Michael York

The Bard rules! Sir Lawrence at his right hand!

Incredible makes proud to be English even though England Is dead our culture or traditions buried as we take the knee to others.

It occured to me this charming monster can turn on anyone.... including You!

“Run run run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, IM THE GINGERBREAD MAN!!!”

The last monarch to personally lead the charge into battle - cut down in his early 30's. God bless the last Plantagenet.

Greatest Shakespearian by far . who ye said to another ..at an audition "Come back when one is better"

They say that history is always written by the victors. In this case, it's definitely true, and that is sad. Anyone who has studied Richard 3 knows that Shakespeare's description of him isn't very accurate. Most recent studies say he was a short guy with thin limbs and BAD scoliosis. I mean... BAAAAAAD scoliosis. I've seen his alleged skeleton, and that poor bastard must have been in intense pain all his life.

To recognise that the second scene from act 3 could be added to the first scene shows genius. It really works but it should have been rounded with "inductions have I laid etc"

I’m literally studying this at the moment, brilliant, it just happens to appear in my recommendations, haunting me

Larry I love youuuuuuuuu....thanks for everything ......

Peter Seller's Hard Days Night brought me here!

This is not the full speech...well it’s a mix of the “winter of our discontent’” speech and bits of others from “Henry VI Part 3” , in which he was also a main character

Magnificent

I love the line I'll drown more sailors than the mermaids shall. The way he says it is very sinister

just noticed the massive crown hanging above the throne at 3:40. Contemporary interpretations almost always focus on "realism" or worse, "update" the play and change the historical setting...I much prefer the simpler, though more symbolic, touches of the old school plays like this one.

I can’t help thinking how proud Vivien Leigh must have been to be married to this genius of a man ; without him in her life, she never appeared to be the woman or the actress that she had been.She always kept his photo on her dressing-room table.Very sad.

I am about to rewind Gielgud in "Prospero's Books" as written and directed by Greenaway. I recognize the touches given by the Royal Shakespearean Society

Perfect amount of rambling character development / exposition. hits hard.

Great performance by lord farquad

Now is the winter of discontent made fine summer by this sun of Stark

“This guy,” is Lord Laurence Olivier!

3:40“Why, I can smile and murder whiles I smile, And cry 'content' to that which grieves my heart,And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,And frame my face for all occasions”

And it's spoken effortlessly. Pure

Wow. This man was a virtuoso of the stage. He was larger than life.

Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York And all the clouds that lower'd upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths Our bruised arms hung up for monuments Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings Our dreadful marches to delightful measures Grim-visag'd war hath smoothed his wrinkled front And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute But I, that am not shap'd for sportive tricks Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton, ambling nymph I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion Cheated of feature by dissembling nature Deform'd, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them Why love forswore me in my mother's womb: And, for I should not deal in her soft laws, She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe, To shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub; To hip an envious mountain on my back, To shape my legs of an unequal size; To disproportion me in every part, Like to a chaos, or an unlick'd bear-whelp That carries no impression like the dam. While, I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time. Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity Then, since this earth affords no joy to me, But to command, to cheque, to o'erbear Such as are of better person than myself, I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown, And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell, Until this mis-shaped trunk that bears this head Be round impaled with a glorious crown. But yet I know not how to get the crown, For many lives stand between me and home: And I,-like one lost in a thorny wood, That rends the thorns and is rent with the thorns Seeking a way and straying from the way; Not knowing how to find the open air, But toiling desperately to find it out,- Torment myself to catch the English crown: And from that torment I will free myself, Or hew my way out with a bloody axe. Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile, And cry 'Content' to that which grieves my heart, And wet my cheeks with artificial tears, And frame my face to all occasions. I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall; I'll play the orator as well as Nestor, Deceive more slily than Ulysses could, And, like a Sinon, take another Troy. I can add colours to the chameleon, Change shapes with Proteus for advantages, And set the murderous Machiavel to school. Can I do this, and cannot get a crown? Tut, were it farther off, I'll pluck it down.

The real Richard ironically was allot different than Shakespeare's Richard. The few real aspects of Richard from the play to the historical person was his deformity, withered arm and a hunch because of his twisted spine when they found his skeleton after so many years, and of course a true warrior in real life.

Splendid.

Now that’s how you do it🤩Acting at its finest that will never be matched

The part of Richard's soliloquy that begins, "Love forswore me in my mother's womb" is actually from "Henry VI, Part III." It confused me when I heard him the first time. Olivier also used this version of Richard's speech on what I think was a radio production.

i remember watching this in english class a few months ago we finished the whole play a couple days ago

God, he was brilliant, Olivier, wasn't he?

Imagine if they decided to walk through the backdoor that day and heard his whole monologue right there and then.

This is so epic

'And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them...' That observational and hyperbolic detail is Shakespeare. He couldn't just say, I'm stumbling along unfashionable and ugly. You have to have the image of dogs barking at him. Lol

Imagine being this guy's therapist :)

A classic opening phrase