King Lear disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the 19th century Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements. The tragedy is particularly noted for its probing observations on the nature of human suffering and kinship. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear." King Lear of Britain, elderly and wanting to retire from the duties of the monarchy, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, and declares he will offer the largest share to the one who loves him most. The eldest, Goneril, speaks first, declaring her
King Lear (1971 UK film) King Lear (1971 UK film) King Lear is a 1971 British film adaptation of the Shakespeare play directed by Peter Brook and starring Paul Scofield. Brook's film starkly divided the critics: Pauline Kael said "I didn't just dislike this production, I hated it!" and suggested the alternative title ""Night of the Living Dead"". Yet Robert Hatch in "The Nation" thought it as "excellent a filming of the play as one can expect" and Vincent Canby in "The New York Times" called it "an exalting "Lear", full of exquisite terror". The film drew heavily on the ideas of Jan Kott, in