Synopsis for
Richard III (1955) More at IMDbPro »

The London Films logo, featuring Big Ben, is displayed, and the great clock rings out the hour with its bells.

The opening titles, shown on a parchment that scrolls up to reveal the cast, tells that "The history of the world, like letters without poetry, flowers without perfume, or thought without imagination, would be a dry matter indeed without its legends, and many of these, though scorned by proof a hundred times, seem worth preserving for their own familiar sakes. The following begins in the latter half of the 15th Century in England, at the end of a long period of strife set about by rival factions for the English crown, known as the Wars of the Roses. The Red Rose being the emblem for The House of Lancaster. The White for The House of York. This White Rose of York was in its final flowering at the beginning of the Story as it inspired William Shakespeare..."

The scroll dissolves into the image of the English crown, suspended high over the coronation throne. Below, Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke) is being crowned, with his siblings and court in full attendance. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Laurence Olivier), his brother, exchanges looks with the Duke of Buckingham (Ralph Richardson), his cousin, and proceeds to follow the new king into the throne room. There, Richard and his other brother, George, Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud) display their affection towards Edward's children (Paul Huson and Andy Shine), in sight of Queen Elizabeth (Mary Kerridge). The entire court, save Richard, follow Edward out of the throne room and into the streets, where he goes on parade for the peasants. Richard however, stays in the throne room, and muses, directly to the audience, about his situation.