Rent King Lear (1971)

To see Paul Scofield as Lear is to see nobility turn to pauperdom, pride to a frenzy of madness, manhood to senility, in the course of a single and unique dramatic experience. Scofield has always excelled in Shakespeare. Now, directed by Peter Brook and backed by a skillful cast, his mastery and maturity are seen at their most stunning level. This performance, and this direction, must surely count as one of the classics in the history of great Shakespearean drama on film.