Looking for Richard

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Looking for Richard

PG-13

1996

1h 49m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Al Pacino's directorial debut explores William Shakespeare's lasting impact in pop culture, particularly the playwright's highly regarded "Richard III." The documentary includes on-the-street interviews with ordinary people and academic perspectives from Shakespearean scholars. Actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey and Winona Ryder talk about preparing to play key scenes of "Richard III," which come staged with Pacino in the title role.

Critics Consensus

Looking for Richard is a smart, fascinating behind-the-scenes look at adapting Shakespeare.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jul 3, 2008

This runs 118 minutes, but it felt like six or seven hours.

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Godfrey Cheshire

Variety

Jun 11, 2008

High-spirited and infectiously energetic.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

Pacino's first film as writer/director is a marvellously intelligent, witty and imaginative exploration of the problems faced by anyone wishing to act in Shakespeare or translate the plays to film.

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Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

May 16, 2022

As always, Pacino is flawless.

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Geoffrey O'Brien

The New York Review of Books

Aug 16, 2018

One of the best movies about the acting life.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Jan 10, 2012

C+

An energetic but unsatisfying behind the scenes account of actors dress rehearsing or in street clothes rehearsing to do the Shakespeare play Richard III.

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Monty G

@Montyginger Jan 1, 2026

Might be one of the best documentaries I have ever watched ! That old lady with huge glasses who’s apparently a top critic has no idea what’s she’s taking about honey. I love Al Pacino and I love Winona. Wish they started in a movie together

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Geke g

@RT40239519 Aug 8, 2024

I no tell lies. This movie that directed by Al Panico is very high feeled one

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Бавуу Э

@RT26109709 Jul 26, 2024

Al Pacino's directorial debut explores William Shakespeare's lasting impact in pop culture, particularly the playwright's highly regarded "Richard III." The documentary includes on-the-street interviews with ordinary people and academic perspectives from Shakespearean scholars. Actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey and Winona Ryder talk about preparing to play key scenes of "Richard III," which come staged with Pacino in the title role.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 Jul 26, 2024

I really liked how the actors got into their roles so well. I think that people watching the movie and other people really liked the fact that he is so naturally and elegantly immersed in his role.

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Munkhjargal A

@RT28084692 Jul 26, 2024

this documentary was a great movie. It was the skill of the director to choose the best actors to play here.

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Shioka O

@RT54204327 Oct 22, 2022

I simply love this project by Pacino. Yes now I recognised Shakespeare. That's what he wanted from audience.

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Al Pacino

Director

Al Pacino

Richard III

Harris Yulin

King Edward IV

Penelope Allen

Queen Elizabeth

Alec Baldwin

George, Duke of Clarence

Kevin Spacey

Buckingham

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Synopsis

Al Pacino's directorial debut explores William Shakespeare's lasting impact in pop culture, particularly the playwright's highly regarded "Richard III." The documentary includes on-the-street interviews with ordinary people and academic perspectives from Shakespearean scholars. Actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey and Winona Ryder talk about preparing to play key scenes of "Richard III," which come staged with Pacino in the title role.

Director: Al Pacino
Producer: Michael Hadge, Al Pacino
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Al Pacino, Frederic Kimball
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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