Looking for Richard

Looking for Richard is a 1996 documentary film directed by Al Pacino. The film is Pacino's directorial debut. It is both a performance of selected scenes of William Shakespeare's Richard III and a broader examination of Shakespeare's continuing role and relevance in popular culture. The film was featured at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1996[1] and it was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.[2]
== Description ==
Pacino plays both himself and the title character. The film guides the audience through the play's plot and historical background.[3] Pacino and several fellow actors, including Penelope Allen and Harris Yulin,[4] act out scenes from the play.[5]
In addition, the actors comment on their roles. Pacino also features other actors famous for performing Shakespeare, such as Vanessa Redgrave, Kenneth Branagh, John Gielgud, Derek Jacobi, James Earl Jones, and Kevin Kline.[6]Pacino includes interviews with Shakespeare scholars and ordinary people on the street.
== Cast ==
* Al Pacino as Richard III
* Penelope Allen as Queen Elizabeth
* Harris Yulin as King Edward
* Kevin Spacey as Buckingham
* Winona Ryder as Lady Anne
* Kevin Conway as Lord Hastings
* Julie Moret as Mistress Shore
* Estelle Parsons as Queen Margaret
* Alec Baldwin as Clarence
* Aidan Quinn as Richmond
== Reception ==
The film received positive reviews from critics. As of August 2018, it holds a rating of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 48 reviews.[7]