By Steven Suskin
13 Aug 2006

The British stage star Laurence Olivier conquered Hollywood in 1939 with "Wuthering Heights,” after which he was constantly in demand on stage and screen in London and America. While first and foremost an actor, Olivier was also a keen stage director. His international star power allowed him to bring three Shakespearean tragedies to the screen directed by and starring himself, "Henry V” (1944), "Hamlet” (1948) and "Richard III” (1955). The Criterion Collection has now combined the three into a sparklingly-good box set, "Olivier's Shakespeare.”

"Henry V” had great impact, being a morale-booster filmed and released during wartime, with impressive battle scenes in glorious Technicolor. (The film was not released in America until 1946.) "Hamlet” was one of the pinnacles of Olivier's career, earning him his only acting Oscar (in ten nominations). Producer Olivier also received the Best Picture Oscar, the first ever awarded to a non-American film. "Richard III,” the last of the trio, features an especially striking star performance. The latter is a two-CD set, incorporating Kenneth Tynan's 1966 BBC interview with Olivier. Sir Laurence is, not surprisingly, surrounded by top-notch actors, including Robert Newton and Leslie Banks in "Henry V”; Jean Simmons and Eileen Herlie in "Hamlet”; and Gielgud, Richardson and Claire Bloom in "Richard III.”

While Olivier does not give us true Shakespearean renditions of the plays – there are severe cuts, inevitably – they make good introductions to the works, should introductions be needed. What's more, for all but the most Bard-conscious viewers, Olivier's work should enhance understanding of the plays.

— Steven Suskin, author of "Second Act Trouble,” "A Must See! Brilliant Broadway Artwork,” "Show Tunes,” and the "Opening Night on Broadway” books. He can be reached at Ssuskin@aol.com