MovieChat Forums > Richard III (1956) Discussion > the young lads

the young lads

posted 18 years ago by funkatizer-101
9 replies | jump to latest

I didn't pay much mind to them the first time I watched this film, mainly because I was so engrossed by Olivier's performance, but upon viewing this movie a second time, I was really quite impressed with their acting! for such young children, they seem to really grasp their lines and deliver them with actual understanding. I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned it before, but I figured I should, seeing as they managed to hold their own in scenes with Richard, and that's quite a feat! Particularly the youngest one; he was not only cherubically adorable, but when Rich gave him that crazed "you are so dead" look after the 'bear me on your shoulder' crack, he was so convincing! Everyone heaps accolades on Larry, and the other 'sirs' in this film (and well-deserved they are), but the kids were great as well!

the only person in this film that i really didn't buy was Dorset...he just annoyed me...though I suppose that's another rant entirely :)

In Soviet Russia, joke over-uses YOU.

[–] CameronMB 18 years ago

I agree, the kids were very strong with material that could be difficult to portray well. I also agree that Dorset wasn't particularly strong, but in general the supporting cast did Olivier proud.

[–] funkatizer-101 18 years ago

yeah, I was really impressed that no one gave a *bad* performance out of the entire cast. It was so incredible. And I really did like Ralph Richardson as Buckingham, even though Larry wanted Orson Welles instead. Richardson was nicely weaselly, I thought.

In Soviet Russia, joke over-uses YOU.

[–] pygmalion6 18 years ago

I'm grateful as well they went with Ralph Richardson. I love the way his fork-waving is in sync with the sing-song voice he uses in the "thus sayeth the Duke" scene.

I also agree about the actors who played the young princes. When Richard gives THAT LOOK after the "bear me on your shoulder", not only does the boy look terrified, but he gives that very slight trace of a hopeful smile, which disappears immediately when he realizes that smiling isn't going to help.

[–] funkatizer-101 18 years ago

Oh my God, I thought that little smirk thing was just a figment of my imagination, but someone else caught it too! [is delighted] It was so subtle for a child actor. Frankly, I'm surprised the little guy didn't just keel over dead from heart failure after Richard gave him that death-glare!

I really love how Buckingham looked smug the entire movie (except of course when he gets shut down by richard). He kind of had this really creepy stare too, which I thought was a nice touch.

~SPOON: We ain't no forks!~

[–] pygmalion6 18 years ago

What's great about Richardson's stare is when he uses it opposite Olivier whenever Richard is trying to sound Buckingham out about how far he will go in securing him the crown. Richard's trying to get a reaction out of him and searching his face, but he betrays nothing. Even when it comes to killing the princes, it's the hesitation in Buckingham's words that betrays him, not any facial expression.

If you have the Criterion Collection DVD, the audio commentary track is probably the best I've ever heard. It points out all the nice little touches Olivier puts in, especially in the beginning when YOU are the camera and Richard is coaxing you in, even to the point of physically reaching out to touch your shoulder to encourage you to walk with him towards the throne.

[–] funkatizer-101 18 years ago

THAT was my absolute favourite part of he film: how Richard makes the viewer his little darling, giving us these little flirtatious looks, smirking like a coy little schoolgirl, then going straight for the throat!

i think this film is so great with the eyes. All the actors have their eyes down perfectly. If i'm watching something, usually the first thing that betrays an actor is the eyes. But these guys are basically schooling everyone else on how to suck your audience in using that very thing. Richard especially. But even the little young ones have those tiny subtle touches!

One bit I really loved is when Buckingham is asking Richard what they'll do if Hastings won't go along with their machinations, and Richard goes "off with his head, man!" Buckingham just stares at him point-blank. Each time i watch it, I'm wondering if maybe that's his version of deadpan humour, or if maybe Richard's starting to overstep his bounds with Buckingham...i change my miind every time I see it.

~SPOON: We ain't no forks!~

[–] pygmalion6 18 years ago

Each time i watch it, I'm wondering if maybe that's his version of deadpan humour, or if maybe Richard's starting to overstep his bounds with Buckingham

I think Olivier, in another show of his brilliance, gives the tip-off that he's concerned with overstepping the mark, the way the smile casually leaves his face when Buckingham fails to react. "The somewhat we will do" or something similar...haven't seen it in awhile. This is making me want to watch it again!

I'm laughing now at the subject header "the young lads." It was originally meant in regard to the princes, but it still matches talk of Olivier and Richardson.

[–] funkatizer-101 18 years ago

heehee so true

I love that fact that every time I see this movie, there's an added dimension of nuance that I missed before. I'm going to rent it again ASAP!

i also love how ballsy buckingham is, in addition to being greasy and immoral. He's like Richard in training! I mean, that same scene when Buckingham's staring at Richard straight in his face, that would take some major stones. I know I would be getting really agitated if someone like Richard were even in the same room, never mind suggesting murder!

I think the difference lies in the fact that Buckingham has a very frank, honest, blank default face, whereas Richard looks oily no matter what he's doing. Buckingham's the kind of guy you can maybe trust, that's what's so great about him.

~SPOON: We ain't no forks!~

[–] franklinlj 10 years ago

The older kid '...upon your shoulder!' was good. The slight, vanishing smile did happen, I saw it too.

Too bad he did not continue in film. He grew up to write books on the ' occult - his works on the Tarot are very well researched, even for a sceptic, like me.