| Director | Peter Brook |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film |
| Runtime | 137 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
In Peter Brook's stark and existential adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy, the aging King Lear unwisely divides his kingdom between his two flattering daughters, banishing the honest third and setting in motion a cascade of betrayal, madness, and destruction. As Lear descends into madness, buffeted by a brutal storm and his own shattered psyche, the film brutally explores themes of loyalty, power, and the utter fragility of human relationships. The bleak and unsparing presentation, aided by the desolate Icelandic landscape, emphasizes the utter ruin brought about by Lear's pride and misjudgment.