KING OF TEXAS (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television film is an adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear," set in the Republic of Texas in the nineteenth century. The story begins on Texas' Independence Day, as cattle baron John Lear and his daughter Claudia awaits the arrival of her two married sisters. Henry Westover arrives at the celebration with his son Emmett and respectfully presents Lear with the gift of a horse, though Lear is offended when Henry's other son Thomas turns up late and drunk, and Emmett urges his brother to go to San Antonio for a short while to "cool off." Susannah and Rebecca arrive with their husbands, but Lear's rival Menchaca suddenly crashes the party and berates him for hanging two of his men as thieves, saying that they were forced to steal when Lear drove them off their land. He is quickly outgunned, however, and leaves vowing that their conflict is not settled. Later, Lear tells his daughters that as his only son died during the war, he intends to leave his land to the three of them and wants it settled before his death, wondering which of his children loves him the most. Susannah praises his strength and receives the western area, and Rebecca compares her affections for him to the power of the sun and receives the east, but Claudia states that she should not need to prove her love for him in a "false" competition. Outraged, Lear disowns her and splits the land evenly between Rebecca and Susannah.
Once away from Lear, Rebecca's husband Highsmith declares that they are entitled to Menchaca's land as well, stating that war between them is inevitable, though Lear has forbidden it and the sisters are unsure. Claudia seeks comfort with Menchaca, explaining about her father's actions. Susannah moves into Lear's home as Lear prepares to head out on a round-up, though his servant Rip tells him that he is too old to do so. Amused at his candor, Lear bids him to come along. Henry is shocked to discover that his horses have all disappeared, and when an army officer comes along and asks about buying more of them, Henry realizes that Thomas must have secretly sold the animals for the money. Warnell encounters Rip in the desert and whips him, believing him to be a runaway slave, and an enraged Lear beats him soundly. Susannah tells Highsmith that they should make plans to attack Menchaca soon, as her own husband is out of town, and Rebecca says that they should secure Henry's help as well. Thomas returns from San Antonio and is shocked when his father accuses him of stealing the horses and banishes him from their home. Emmett, however, then meets with the actor he hired to pose as the army officer, revealing that he stole the horses and framed his brother.
At home, Susannah berates her father for beating Warnell, saying that he is her employee and his punishment is her decision, and he is angered at her lack of respect. Later, Lear and his men drink and carouse on his property, but Susannah declares that the ranch is her home now and orders them off at gunpoint. She reveals that she never truly loved the "old tyrant," knowing that he always preferred his son over his daughters, and he furiously disowns her as well, declaring that he now has only one child, Rebecca. Lear asks Rip why his children do not love him, and Rip points out that he has more pride than love within him, adding that he himself is a "ghost" and cannot feel much emotional pain. Lear then gets lost on his own land and fears that he is losing his mind. Elsewhere, Highsmith appeals to Henry, claiming that Lear approves of attacking Menchaca, and Emmett and Rebecca share a private romantic moment away from her husband. Lear arrives and tells Rebecca of Susannah's betrayal, but then is stunned to hear of their plan for war and fights with Highsmith over their right to the land. He orders Rebecca to leave her traitorous husband and side with him, but she refuses, and he declares that she too is now his enemy. Rip realizes that Claudia is in danger, as she is still with Menchaca, and Henry quickly rides off to warn her. He arrives at Menchaca's fortress and reveals the plan of attack, explaining that Lear is no longer in charge. Claudia begs to see her father, saying that she can change his mind, while elsewhere Lear and Rip ride through a fierce storm, with Lear angrily challenging the elements to do their worst against him. When Henry later finds him in the desert, Lear does not recognize him and rambles about his children, then comparing himself to a hawk soaring high above.
Highsmith captures Henry, suspicious that he has spoken to Menchaca, beating him and burning out one of his eyes. Highsmith is killed in the ensuing scuffle, and a grief-stricken Rebecca takes Henry's other eye. Lear awakens with Claudia by his side and realizes that he is at Menchaca's home, but reunites with his daughter and vows to stand with Menchaca when he learns of the impending attack. Susannah and Emmett gather their men, hinting that they will kill her husband, Tumlinson, together when he returns, though Rebecca has doubts. The blinded Henry reunites with Thomas and begs his forgiveness, having realized Emmett's treachery. Tumlinson returns early and is baffled to hear of Highsmith's death and Lear's "disappearance," and she orders him not to interfere. Rip refuses to allow Lear to join the fight, and Lear sincerely thanks him for his loyalty. Emmett and his army are surprised to find Menchaca's fortress seemingly empty, but they are ambushed when they enter, and Lear listens to the fighting from within as Emmett and many others are struck down. Lear ventures out onto the parapets and tries to put a stop to the battle, and Claudia is accidentally killed as she attempts to rescue him. Everyone holds their fire as Lear carries her body outside, wildly claiming that she may still be alive, and he soon collapses and dies by her side. Tumlinson shows Lear and Claudia's bodies to the sisters and tells them that they will hang for their crimes, and Susannah calmly rides off and shoots herself, leaving Rebecca alone. Elsewhere, Henry and Thomas are left to run their ranch together in peace. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: TNT
- DATE: June 2, 2002 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:35:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:70495
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Family; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
- SERIES RUN: TNT - TV, 2002
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Wendy Neuss-Stewart … Executive Producer
- Patrick Stewart … Executive Producer
- Robert Halmi Sr. … Executive Producer
- Art Levinson … Producer
- Arturo Brito … Line Producer
- Uli Edel … Director
- Stephen Harrigan … Writer
- William Shakespeare … Based on the play by
- John Altman … Music by
- Patrick Stewart … Cast, John Lear
- Marcia Gay Harden … Cast, Mrs. Susannah Lear Tumlinson
- Lauren Holly … Cast, Mrs. Rebecca Lear Highsmith
- Colm Meaney … Cast, Mr. Tumlinson
- David Alan Grier … Cast, Rip
- Matt Letscher … Cast, Emmett Westover
- Liam Waite … Cast, Thomas Westover
- Steven Bauer … Cast, Menchaca
- Julie Cox … Cast, Claudia Lear
- Patrick Bergin … Cast, Mr. Highsmith
- Richard Lineback … Cast, Warnell
- Roy Scheider … Cast, Henry Westover
- Fernando Banda … Cast, Antonio
- Juan Pablo Gamboa … Cast, Weems
- Roger Cudney … Cast, Smithwick
- Andres Garcia … Cast, Davis
- Ehécatl Chávez … Cast, Vaquero