If you find that old .avi file, by all means, watch it. Laugh at the blocky artifacting. Squint through the widescreen letterbox on your 4K monitor. Then, do yourself a favor: buy or stream the Criterion restoration. Witness Richard’s withered arm, the glint of his crown, and the sweat on Olivier’s brow as he screams for a horse.
"Richard III" tells the story of the rise and fall of the infamous King Richard III of England, who, through deceit, manipulation, and ruthlessness, seizes the throne, only to be ultimately defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Laurence Olivier, a towering figure in British cinema, not only directs but also stars in the title role, bringing to life the cunning and complex character with a tour-de-force performance.