Patrick Magee plays the aging and confused monarch in this made-for-television adaptation of one of
Shakespeare's most resonant tragedies. When aging King Lear (
Patrick Magee) asks his children to profess their love for him so he may divide his estate accordingly, his youngest daughter, Cordelia (
Wendy Allnutt), gives an answer that speaks of modesty and practicality, while Regan (
Ann Lynn) and Goneril (
Beth Harris) offer more flowery tributes. Lear mistakes Cordelia's good sense for contempt and forces her to leave his land, while Regan and Goneril are allowed to divide his holdings; however, it isn't until much later than Lear sees the error of his ways, and comes to understand his older daughters are using his growing senility for their own purposes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide