- Genre
- Drama
- Year
- 1916
- Runtime
- 1h03
0
King Lear
A timeless tragedy unfolds in silent grandeur.
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Synopsis
King Lear (1916), directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring Frederick Warde, is a silent film adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragic play. The movie tells the story of King Lear, an aging monarch who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love for him. The plot unfolds as Lear's misguided decision leads to betrayal, tragedy, and madness, ultimately illuminating themes of power, loyalty, and family dysfunction. As one of the earliest cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare's work, the film relies heavily on expressive acting and title cards to communicate the intense emotional drama and complex narrative to the audience.
Cast
Reviews
The 1916 version of King Lear received mixed reviews from critics and modern audiences alike. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 5.4/10, reflecting the challenges of silent era storytelling and production limitations. While some viewers appreciate the film as a significant early attempt to bring Shakespeare's work to the screen, others criticize its static pacing and the difficulty in conveying the play's emotional depth without sound. Film historians often commend Frederick Warde's commanding performance and the effort to faithfully adapt such a complex work during cinema's infancy. However, contemporary critics sometimes describe the film as "a noble but flawed adaptation" with "limited visual dynamism" compared to modern Shakespearean films. On Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, the film has no aggregated ratings due to its age and rarity. In summary, King Lear (1916) is regarded more as a historical artifact than a compelling cinematic experience by today's standards, but it retains value for fans of Shakespeare and silent film history.
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