King of Texas

This article is about the film. For the lead singer of American heavy metal band Texas Hippie Coalition, see Big Dad Ritch.

King of Texas is a 2002 American Western television film^[5] based on William Shakespeare's King Lear^[1] and directed by Uli Edel.^[2]

King of Texas
DVD cover
Based on	King Lear by William Shakespeare
Screenplay by	Stephen Harrigan[1]
Directed by	Uli Edel[2]
Starring	Patrick Stewart[3] Marcia Gay Harden[3] Lauren Holly[3] Julie Cox[3]
Music by	John Altman[4]
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Art Levinson[2] Wendy Neuss-Stewart[2]
Cinematography	Paul Elliott[4]
Editor	Mark Conte[4]
Running time	95 minutes
Production companies	Milk & Honey Pictures Flying Freehold Productions Hallmark Entertainment TNT Original Productions
Original release
Network	TNT[5]
Release	March 23, 2002 (2002-03-23)

Plot

The film takes the plot of William Shakespeare's King Lear and places it in the Republic of Texas during the 19th century.^[3] Patrick Stewart stars as John Lear, a wealthy cattle baron and analog to King Lear. In the story, Lear exiles his youngest daughter, who is later supported by the wealthy landowner Mechacha.^[6] Lear divides his property among his daughters, only to be rejected by the eldest two of them once they have it.

Cast

• Patrick Stewart as John Lear (King Lear)
• Marcia Gay Harden as Mrs. Susannah Lear Tumlinson (Goneril)
• Lauren Holly as Mrs. Rebecca Lear Highsmith (Regan)
• Roy Scheider as Henry Westover (Earl of Gloucester)
• David Alan Grier as Rip (amalgam of Earl "Caius" of Kent and The Fool)
• Colm Meaney as Henry Tumlinson (Duke of Albany)
• Patrick Bergin as Mr. Highsmith (Duke of Cornwall)
• Matt Letscher as Emmett Westover (Edmund of Gloucester)
• Liam Waite as Thomas Westover (Edgar of Gloucester)
• Steven Bauer as Menchaca (King of France)
• Julie Cox as Claudia Lear (Cordelia)
• Richard Lineback as Warnell (Oswald)
• Roger Cudney as Smithwick

Awards and nominations

Satellite Award

• Nominated, Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television - Patrick Stewart^[7]
• Nominated, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television - Roy Scheider^[7]
• Nominated, Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television - Marcia Gay Harden^[7]

Western Heritage Awards

• Won, Best Television Feature Film^[2]