Looking for Richard is a 1996
documentary film, the first film directed by
Al Pacino. The film is both a performance of selected scenes of
William Shakespeare's
Richard III and a broader examination of Shakespeare's continuing role and relevance in
popular culture. The film was featured at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1996.
Pacino plays both himself and the title character. The movie guides the audience through the play's
plot and historical background.
Pacino and several fellow actors, including Penelope Allen and Harris Yulin
, act out scenes from the play.
The other actors include, with their roles:
In addition, the actors comment on their roles. Pacino also features other actors famous for performing Shakespeare, such as
Vanessa Redgrave,
Kenneth Branagh,
John Gielgud,
Derek Jacobi,
James Earl Jones, and
Kevin Kline.
He includes interviews with Shakespeare scholars and ordinary people on the street.
