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King Lear

1970·Movie
2h 12min

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

King Lear fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense and spectacular

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle7
  • Violence7

Heart

Deeply moving and profoundly sad

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics10
  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy9

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Dark Humor4

World

Family, politics, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favor, he banishes her and turns for support to his remaining daughters. But Goneril and Regan have no love for him and instead plot to take all his power from him. In a parallel, Lear's loyal courtier Gloucester favors his illegitimate son Edmund after being told lies about his faithful son Edgar. Madness and tragedy befall both ill-starred fathers.
Shakespearean TragedyRoyal Family ConflictBetrayal and MadnessSoviet AdaptationHistorical DramaPolitical IntriguePhilosophical ThemesBleak and Powerful

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about King Lear

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream King Lear legally?

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Is King Lear worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is King Lear rated?

ViolenceDisturbing imagerySuicide themes

Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, and suicide themes.

How long is King Lear?

2 h 12 min

King Lear runs 2 h 12 min.

What language is King Lear in?

Russian

It was made in Russian. Produced in Russia.