King Lear (DVD)

Proposing to divide his vast kingdom amongst his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cornelia, King Lear devises a test for his offspring to convince him of their suitability - and compassion for rule.

As the scheme unfolds Goneril and Regan's true colours emerge uncovering a vast conspiracy of greed, lust for power, and cruelty, within the once close-knit and loyal dynasty. Beginning to doubt the very benevolence he wished to judge, Lear finds only betrayal and death awaiting his estimation.

When he is tricked into making a devastating error, events spiral into madness and misdeeds that bring the realm to its knees. Director Richard Eyre stages a bold, expressionistic interpretation of perhaps Shakespeare's most vivid and striking tragedy.