This version of Lear may not be for everyone. There are a few textual cuts, actually nothing important but some people might miss them. The storm he's thrown out into continues for most of the rest of the movie, and when we're not hearing thunder we're wrapped in fog, so there are no real backgrounds. It's said to be a TV movie, and uses closeups very effectively. In fact what I liked most about it was that the direction strongly emphasized the emotions of the characters. Somehow these people seemed more real than in any other production I've seen. The elder sisters are almost likable at first and only gradually descend into their villainy. Unlike many productions, this Lear never felt stagy. The dialogue was delivered in the most natural way, and there was no overbearing symbolism. Costumes were of the period.
The one character I was disappointed in was the Fool. He wasn't funny and sometimes wasn't very understandable. He seemed to be mocking Lear rather than trying to make him laugh. Considering how well all the other characters were portrayed, I was surprised at this. I was also disappointed (although that's not exactly the right word) that part of the blinding scene was omitted. That may have been necessary for TV censorship, though, and we certainly did see gory eyes.
Lear himself was done the way I've always thought he should be: as half-doddering even from the first moment. It was very easy to see how this particular Lear could lose his grip on reality simply from elder abuse. Unlike many other versions, he never went to full-on roaring even in the "Blow, winds" monologue, but IMHO that is perfectly appropriate. Not all rage has to be at the top of one's lungs.
Edmund is an out-and-out villain from his first scene, too tall and too skeevy-looking to be likable.
If you want to see a slightly different Lear, but highly satisfying , this is the one to watch.
