Top Cast
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Laurence Olivier
King Lear
John Hurt
The Fool
Brian Cox
Burgundy
Dorothy Tutin
Goneril
Anna Calder-Marshall
Cordelia
Diana Rigg
Regan
Leo McKern
Gloucester
David Threlfall
Edgar
Robert Lindsay
Edmund
Colin Blakely
Kent
Jeremy Kemp
Cornwall
Robert Lang
Albany
Edward Petherbridge
France
Geoffrey Bateman
Oswald
John Cording
Lear's Knight
Benny Young
Cornwall's Servant
Esmond Knight
Old Man
Ian Ruskin
Edmund's Officer
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 26, 1984
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michael Elliott
- Screenplay & Story
- William Shakespeare
- Original Score
- Gordon Crosse
- Original Title
- King Lear
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 38m
- Production Studios
- Granada Television
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michael Elliott
William Shakespeare
Gordon Crosse
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Elliott
Director
Gordon Crosse
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for King Lear.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring King Lear.
MovieLens[30K:40K]
Emmy Award Nominated Titles - IMDb
500 best 83's movies
Emmy Awards: Winners
Vintage British TV.
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Frequently Asked Questions About King Lear
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is King Lear about?
An aging King invites disaster when he abdicates to his corrupt, toadying daughters and rejects his one loving, but honest one.
Who directed King Lear?
King Lear was directed by Michael Elliott.
Who stars in King Lear?
The principal cast of King Lear includes Laurence Olivier, John Hurt, Brian Cox, Dorothy Tutin, Anna Calder-Marshall.
When was King Lear released and how long is it?
King Lear was released in 1983 with a total runtime of 2h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for King Lear?
The original motion picture soundtrack for King Lear was composed by Gordon Crosse.
What is the age rating and content advisory for King Lear?
King Lear holds official age classifications: US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).