King of Texas is a 2002 American television film based on William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...

's King Lear

King Lear

King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...

 directed by Uli Edel

Uli Edel

Uli Edel is a German film director.-Work:After studying theatre science in Munich, he was accepted into Munich Film School alongside Bernd Eichinger. Uli befriended him and they started working together on their exercise movies, sharing a love for the nouvelle vague and Italian neorealism as well...

.

Plot

The film takes the plot of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...

's King Lear

King Lear

King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...

and places it in the Republic of Texas

Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...

 during the 19th century. Stewart stars as John Lear, a wealthy cattle baron

Cattle baron

A cattle baron is a historic term for a person who possessed great power or influence, generally as owner of a large ranch and many cattle, specifically beef cattle. A cattle baron in the United States was sometimes called a cowman or a rancher...

 and analog to King Lear. In the story, Lear divides his property among his daughters only to be rejected by them once they have it.

Cast

(the analogue from King Lear is in parenthesis)

• Patrick Stewart.....John Lear (Lear)
• Marcia Gay Harden.....Mrs. Susannah Lear Tumlinson (Goneril)
• Lauren Holly.....Mrs. Rebecca Lear Highsmith (Regan)
• Julie Cox.....Claudia Lear (Cordelia)
• Colm Meaney
  Colm Meaney
  Colm J. Meaney is an Irish actor widely known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is second only to Michael Dorn in most appearances in Star Trek episodes. He has guest-starred on many TV shows from Law & Order to The Simpsons...
  
  .....Mr. Tumlinson (Albany)
• David Alan Grier
  David Alan Grier
  David Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
  
  .....Rip (Fool)
• Matt Letscher
  Matt Letscher
  Matthew Letscher is an American actor.-Biography:Letscher was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He attended college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity....
  
  .....Emmett Westover (Edmund)
• Liam Waite
  Liam Waite
  Liam Waite is an American actor who took the name 'Waite' from Hollywood producer and actor, Ralph Waite, his stepfather. He studied acting with under Arthur Mendoza at Actors Circle Theatre...
  
  .....Thomas Westover (Edgar)
• Steven Bauer
  Steven Bauer
  Steven Bauer is a Cuban-American actor. He is known for his role as Manny Ribera in the 1983 film Scarface, and his role on the bilingual PBS show Que Pasa, USA.-Early life:...
  
  .....Menchaca (King of France)
• Patrick Bergin
  Patrick Bergin
  Patrick Connolly Bergin is an Irish actor and singer. He may be best-known internationally for playing the menacing husband of Julia Roberts' character in the thriller Sleeping with the Enemy and is also known for his role as Irish terrorist Kevin O'Donnell in the film adaption of Patriot Games....
  
  .....Mr. Highsmith (Cornwall)
• Richard Lineback
  Richard Lineback
  Richard D. Lineback is an American actor. He has performed in character roles in such blockbuster films as Speed, Twister and Varsity Blues. He played Deputy Dodd in Friday the 13th: A New Beginning....
  
  .....Warnell (Oswald)
• Roy Scheider
  Roy Scheider
  Roy Richard Scheider was an American actor. He was best known for his leading role as police chief Martin C...
  
  .....Henry Westover (Gloucester)

Awards and nominations

Satellite Award

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

Western Heritage Awards

• Won, "Best Televeision Feature Film"

Western Writers of America

Western Writers of America

Western Writers of America, founded 1953, promotes literature, both fiction and non-fiction, pertaining to the American West. Although its founders wrote traditional western fiction, the more than five hundred current members also include historians and other non-fiction writers as well as authors...

• Won, "Best Drama Script" - Stephen Harrigan