Page "King Lear" Paragraph 68

Jonathan Miller has twice directed Michael Hordern in the title role for English television, the first for the BBC's Play of the Month in 1975 and the second for the BBC Television Shakespeare in 1982.

Horden received mixed reviews, and was considered a bold choice due to his history of taking much lighter roles.

Also for English television, Laurence Olivier took the role in a 1983 TV production for Granada Television.

It was his last screen appearance in a Shakespearean role, its pathos deriving in part from the physical frailty of Olivier the actor.