William Shakespeare's unrelenting King Lear is considered to be one of the playwright's most enduring and haunting works for the stage. The challenge of playing its title role has long fallen to some of the greatest actors of our time. This telecast marks Sir Ian McKellen's return to the Royal Shakespeare Company that has resulted in a tour-de-force performance as Lear. Co-directed for television by Sir Trevor Nunn and Chris Hunt.

*Closed Captioned:

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS

"The classiest thing on TV this week is the Trevor Nunn-directed Royal Shakespeare Company production of "King Lear" starring Sir Ian McKellen on "Great Performances"..." - Roger Catlin, HARTFORD COURANT

"At his best, McKellen invests Lear with a breathtaking range of human qualities, making him at once impish and imperious, doddering and poised to command." - Louise Kennedy - THE BOSTON GLOBE

"Directed by Tony Award winner Trevor Nunn, the production features a shattering performance by McKellen in the title role as the elderly king..." - John Crook - THE BUFFALO NEWS