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A Summary of Richard III The movie Richard III, released by MGM/United Artists Pictures in 1995, features such noted actors as Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Robert Downey Jr., Kristin Scott Thomas, and Maggie Smith. The movie, based on William Shakespeare’s frequently performed play, is about King Richard III, one of the last medieval English kings. The film takes place during the 1930s in a fascist, almost “nazi like” England. The film opens with Richard and his troops storming a 1930s building in Tewkesbury. After breaking through a brick wall by tank, Richard kills Henry VI and his son Edward, in an attempt to secure the throne for his own brother, Edward IV. Richard, a deformed hunchback with a withered and limp left arm, displays little emotion in executing the men. Richard concocts a plan to seduce and marry, Anne, the wife of Edward, the man he executed at Tewkesbury. Richard meets Anne at the morgue where her husband lies dead and convinces her that he killed Edward because of his love of her. Incredibly, Richard is successful in getting her to marry him. As the film progresses, the viewer is introduced to Richard’s brother, Edward IV, who has assumed the throne of England. Edward is married to Queen Elizabeth, portrayed by Annette Bening. Queen Elizabeth’s brother Earl Rivers, portrayed by Robert Downy, Jr. has several confrontational outbursts with Richard. Richard concocts a plan to take over the throne himself and to eliminate those, including Earl Rivers, who could stand in his way. Richard plants suggestions to convince King Edward that their brother Clarence is plotting against him. Edward responds initially in anger, ordering Clarence to be confined in the Tower. Richard then secretly orders the murder of his older brother Clarence and allows a gravely ill Edward to believe the execution was done on his own order. The pain and guilt that Edward experiences contributes to his death within a matter of days. Edward’s death leaves the throne vacant for his son, the under-age Prince of Wales. Richard is pronounced the Lord Protector of the Prince and has the young prince locked up in a tower with his younger brother. To avert involvement from the Queen’s family, Richard orders the execution of Earl Rivers, Queen Elizabeth’s brother. To prevent her sons from being crowned King, Richard creates a plan to have Elizabeth and Edward’s marriage declared illegal and their children declared illegitimate and unable to assume the throne. Throughout the film, Richard ruthlessly manipulates those around him to achieve his dream of the throne. He orders the murder of any that stand in his way, including family members and noblemen. After Richard has the Prime Minister eliminated, he finally secures the title he has worked for and is crowned King of England.
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