"Civil war divides the nation," the first caption we see at the onset of this adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard III sets the tone for scenes to come later in the movie. It starts by focusing on Shakespeare's underlying tone regarding Richard as somewhat an outlandish character to be mocked and amused by. Enter Richard to "stab" Edward in his war room at Tewkesbury in his tank. He then fills Edward full of holes with a gun rather than a sword to start the play on words that Richard is known for throughout the play.

Set in the midst of a Nazi-like Britain during the 1930's, it provides more art deco and imagery than is actually in the text. It uses this as the opening focus to show Richards' ascent to power and his eventual downfall more as the leader of a fascist regime, than someone cunning for the role of King. Here big band jives lay the groundwork to the victory ball of King Edward where we are introduced to many of the characters not seen until much later in the text, Rivers, King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Duchess of York, young York, etc. Richard then begins his soliloquy, "Now is the winter of our discontent..." He partially addresses the crowd to show support for his

Richard's self-love is shown by his watching of his coronation over and over while he makes plans for the murder of his wife and the young princes while treating Tyrell to chocolates. After all this has occurred, the Duchess of York enters to berate Richard as to the deaths of his kinsmen, than she departs to France instead of Queen Margaret whose entire role has been cut from the film and handed to other character to recite. Queen Elizabeth's confrontation with Richard regarding the death of her babes and the marriage or Richard to young Elizabeth does not follow immediately.

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The director's interpretation of this film focuses more on the use of metaphors in a comic state of humor amongst the villainy in a Hitleresque setting with Richard at the helm of this tyranny. Loncraine uses Shakespeare's play on words to make scenes more memorable, (i.e., trains, spiders, food,). He shows the abuse of power, greed and corruption of Richard with flare. The actual dialogue heard is true to the original text, as nothing was added; it is only severely out of order. Loncraine took an ordinary, simple play and made it into something enjoyable to watch. Although the scenes tend to be out of order and cut, this is still a successful adaptation of Richard III as the overriding theme is developed and enjoyable to watch. Richard is humorous in life as he lies, cheats and steals the throne from anyone in his way.

The next few scenes with Lady Anne cuts up her dialogue about her state of marriage to Richard and her "cursed soul" while watching her using drugs to allude to her upcoming death with a spider on her face. This refers back to the allusion of Richard as a bottled spider whose evil doings have been released. Richard, as a penitent follower of Christianity, is cut down with his only holding a prayer book in his deformed arm when the citizens to bid him take the Kingship address him. After which, it is Lord Stanley, not the Queen Elizabeth that bids Dorset to flee for his life. The announcement of Richard as King to the citizens alludes to his Nazi-like status as he appears at the pulpit and banners wave while cheers are heard.

the text words to create an actual allusion for us to envision. The use of the toy train and the arrival of the prince show the small train and large train by a large locomotive. The hanging of Hastings follows Lord Stanley's dream where he envis

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