Movie

King Lear

Released: February 20, 1974 (1974)

Runtime: 175 minutes

James Earl Jones delivers a riveting performance as paranoid patriarch King Lear, an aging monarch who insists that his three daughters prove their love for him, only to learn he's exalted the two who seek to destroy him. This live performance recording of Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival production deftly envisions the bard's haunting tragedy with a fine supporting cast, including Raul Julia, Paul Sorvino and Rene Auberjonois.

Main Cast (Top 10 billed, oldest first)

Douglass Watson as Kent
Age at release: 52
James Earl Jones as King Lear
Age at release: 43
Ellen Holly as Regan
Age at release: 43
Robert Stattel as Albany
Age at release: 41
Lee Chamberlin as Cordelia
Age at release: 36
Rosalind Cash as Goneril
Age at release: 35
Paul Sorvino as Gloucester
Age at release: 34
Raúl Juliá as Edmund
Age at release: 33
Robert Lanchester as Cornwall
Age at release: Unknown
Lou Quinones as Burgundy
Age at release: Unknown

Show more cast

Tom Aldredge as Fool
Age at release: 45
René Auberjonois as Edgar
Age at release: 33
Frederick Coffin as Oswald
Age at release: 31
Anthony Chisholm as Servant to Cornwall
Age at release: 30
George Dzundza as Gentleman
Age at release: 28
Jean-Pierre Stewart as France
Age at release: 27
James Harper as First Servant to Cornwall
Age at release: 25
Frankie Faison as Captain
Age at release: 24
Franklyn Seales as Servant to Cornwall
Age at release: 21
John R. Tobinski as Curan
Age at release: Unknown
Charles Pegues as Old Man
Age at release: Unknown
Redvers Jeanmarie as Messenger
Age at release: Unknown
William Hart as Doctor
Age at release: Unknown
George Addison as Herald
Age at release: Unknown
James West III as Gentleman
Age at release: Unknown
Jose Machado as Attendant
Age at release: Unknown
Simpson Markson as Attendant
Age at release: Unknown
Kevin Maung as Attendant
Age at release: Unknown
John Salat as Attendant
Age at release: Unknown