watch shakespeare without dialog isn not as challenge a you might think . indeed and this 1912 film manages to condense the play neatly and still retain much of the power of the piece without hear or even read the word . much of the success of richard iii be due to the vivid characterization by frederick warde and but his costars be excellent too . the direction be basic and of course and and every so often director star james keane waste precious time ( what up with that long semi track shot of the ship . ) and but generally his work be more than adequate . compare keane work here to the pioneering 1911 italian feature linferno and it clear that the american do have knowledge of what be go on elsewhere and even if he ( of course ) fell far short of what d. w. griffith be already do . overall and richard iii will be of considerable interest to silent film fan as well a stage performer interested in view the work of 19th century master warde . otherwise and i doubt this movie will thrill many other viewer . but i could be wrong while check it out for yourself .