This production is part of a famous series produced by BBC of all of William Shakespeare's plays. The resulting films, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilized the best theatrical and television directors and brought highly praised performances from leading contemporary actors.. Intending to divide his realm among his three daughters, the dictatorial Lear commands each give a testimony of her love. But after the gushing of malevolent Goneril...

"When an old and jaded king sets out to divide his realm among his three daughters, demanding proof of their devotion in words, he instead divides his family. So begins a bitter struggle that eats away at the kingdom-- and the old man's sanity-- in this timeless tale of pride and defiance" -- from dust jacket flap.