Shakespeare
A list of Shakespeare films. Includes films with plots based on Shakespeare plays and filmed version of plays.
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- DirectorElijah MoshinskyStarsCelia JohnsonIan CharlesonMichael HordernHelena loves Bertram but he's of noble birth, while she's just a doctor's daughter. But Bertram is at the court of the King of France, who is ill, and Helena has a remedy that might cure him and win her the right to marry Bertram. But does Bertram want to marry her?Own. Part of series THREE of the complete BBC collection. Only version of the play I have. Why Helen wants Betram and the efforts and cleverness that is used to get him, meh. Well acted version though.
- DirectorCharlton HestonStarsCharlton HestonHildegard NeilEric PorterAfter the murder of her lover Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor: Octavius.To see. (although it gets a lot of negative criticism )
- DirectorJon ScoffieldStarsRichard JohnsonJanet SuzmanRosemary McHaleAfter the murder of her lover Julius Caesar, Egypt's Queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor, Octavius.Maybe to see. (not a lot of adaptions of it)
- DirectorJonathan MillerStarsJohn PaulJonathan AdamsJane LapotaireAfter the murder of her lover Julius Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor, Octavius.Own. Part of series THREE of the complete BBC collection. Only version of the play I have.
- 2012– 52mTV-PG9.3 (42)TV EpisodeStarsKim CattrallJanet SuzmanHarriet WalterKim Catrall discusses William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra with Janet Suzman, Harriet Walker and Vanessa Redgrave.Kim Catrall discusses William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra.
- DirectorPaul CzinnerStarsElisabeth BergnerLaurence OlivierSophie StewartA Duke usurps his brother's land and power, banishing him and his entourage into the forest of Arden. The banished Duke's daughter, Rosalind, remains with her cousin Celia. She has fallen in love with Orlando, but he has his own tyrannical brother with whom to contend, so he joins those in the forest.To see. First Shakespeare film Laurence Oliver appeared in as Orlando.
- 1978–19852h 31mTV-147.1 (357)TV EpisodeDirectorBasil ColemanStarsHelen MirrenBrian StirnerRichard PascoAfter the overthrowing of Duke Senior by his tyrannical brother, Senior's daughter Rosalind disguises herself as a man and sets out to find her banished father while also counseling her clumsy suitor Orlando in the art of wooing.Own. Part of series ONE of the complete BBC collection. The costumes when they are in court are a little ridiculous, although it does help emphasis the contrast of the country. Helen Mirren is good in the lead as Rosaline, as is Richard Pasco's Jaques. The singing is an acquired taste. (Spot David Prowse without the Darth Vader mask as the Charles who wrestles Orlando early on.) Currently the only version I own.
- DirectorChristine EdzardStarsJames FoxCyril CusackAndrew TiernanHiding out in an industrial wasteland from the murderous wrath of a regional ruler, a woman, disguised as a boy, gives wooing lessons to the edgy lad who proclaims he loves her.To see. Although it does not seem to be too well regarded. Modern setting.
- DirectorAleksey KaraevStarsSylvestra Le TouzelMaria MilesJohn McAndrewAfter the overthrowing of Duke Senior by his tyrannical brother, Senior's daughter Rosalind disguises herself as a man and sets out to find her banished father while also counseling her clumsy suitor Orlando in the art of wooing.Animated short.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsTakuya ShimadaBrian BlessedRichard CliffordA daughter of the powerful Duke must show her courage and inventiveness to be with the man she loves.To see. Kenneth Branagh directs this version that is set in 19th century Japan.
- DirectorThea SharrockStarsGareth Bennett-RyanMichael BenzPhilip BirdShakespeare's tale of young love, betrayal, cross-dressing, and redemption.To see.
- DirectorPhilip CassonStarsBrian CoburnGriffith JonesRoger ReesThe Royal Shakespeare Company act (and sing and dance!) Shakespeare's play about two sets of identical twins, separated at birth and brought together by circumstance.To see.
- DirectorGulzarStarsSanjeev KumarMoushumi ChatterjeeDeven VermaBased on Shakespeare's 'A Comedy of Errors', this is a story of identical twins (2 pairs) and mistaken identities.
- DirectorJames Cellan JonesStarsCyril CusackCharles GrayNicolas ChagrinAegeon of Syracuse has come to Ephesus to seek his son, who went in search of his missing twin and mother months ago. Unfortunately, Ephesus has just declared war on Syracuse, and will instantly put to death any Syracusean found within their borders unless a ransom's paid. Meanwhile, the son, Antipholus, and his servant, Dromio (also an identical twin), keep running into strangers who seem to know them...Own. Part of series SIX of the complete BBC collection. Only Version I own.
- DirectorJim AbrahamsStarsBette MidlerLily TomlinFred WardTwo couples of sisters from New York and from the countryside discover that they are connected in an incredible way.Loosely based on The Comedy of Errors. Seen, but 30 years ago. To rewatch. Maybe to get.
- DirectorBlanche McIntyreStarsSimon HarrisonMatthew NeedhamBrodie RossBasing his plot on a farce by Plautus, Shakespeare caps the mayhem of his Roman original to build up a hectic tale of violent cross-purposes, furious slapstick and social nightmare.To see.
- DirectorElijah MoshinskyStarsPaul JessonRay RobertsLeon LissekA banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.Own. Part of series SIX of the complete BBC collection.
- DirectorRalph FiennesStarsRalph FiennesGerard ButlerBrian CoxA banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.Own. Ralph Fiennes film in a modern Eastern European setting. Bloody but convincing. Fiennes is well supported in the title role by Brian Cox, Gerald Butler and Vanessa Redgrave.
- DirectorJosie RourkeTim Van SomerenStarsRochenda SandallMark StanleyDwane WalcottCaius Martius Coriolanus is a war hero, banished from his home, seeking to come back.To see.
- DirectorElijah MoshinskyStarsRichard JohnsonMichael PenningtonClaire BloomCymbeline (Richard Johnson), the King of Britain, is angry that his daughter Imogen (Dame Helen Mirren) has chosen a poor (but worthy) man for her husband. So he banishes Posthumus (Michael Pennington), who goes to fight for Rome. Imogen (dressed as a boy) goes in search of her husband, who meanwhile has boasted to his pal Iachimo (Robert Lindsay) that Imogen would never betray him. And Iachimo's determined to prove him wrong.Own. Part of series SIX of the complete BBC collection.I am not a huge fan of the late romances. But this play has less humour than the other romances. It does have some beautiful poetry and is able to juggle drama with a happy ending better than The Winter's tale. This version has one of the most impressive casts in this BBC series. Helen Mirren and Michael Pennigton play the young married couple with passion. The support cast of Michael Gough, Claire Bloom and Robert Lindsey are all excellent. It has better camera work, sets lighting and costumes than most of the series. Like a lot of the series it goes for a 17th century look rather than a modern or early British look but since a lot of the story feels absurd (Michael Hordern does a fantastic cameo as Jupiter), it works well. Currently the only version I own, although I doubt I will need another.
- DirectorMichael AlmereydaStarsEthan HawkeEd HarrisMilla JovovichA gritty story of a take-no-prisoners war between dirty cops and an outlaw biker gang. A drug kingpin is driven to desperate measures.To see (although the scores this get, ouch.)
- DirectorMelly StillStarsHiran AbeysekeraRomayne AndrewsGillian BevanCymbeline is a ruler of a divided Britain. When Innogen, the only living heir, marries her sweetheart in secret, an enraged Cymbeline banishes him. But a powerful figure behind the throne is plotting to seize power and murder them both.To see.
- DirectorSvend GadeHeinz SchallStarsAsta NielsenPaul ConradiMathilde BrandtDanish silent movie-star Asta Nielsen formed her own production company to make this film, in which new elements are combined with features (and a few lines) familiar from Shakespeare's version of the legend. The most important of these changes sees Hamlet made into a female character - a princess forced to masquerade as a man by her scheming mother; from this follows Hamlet's secret passion for Horatio and rivalry with Ophelia for his love. Queen Gertrude is here presented as conspiring in her first husband's murder, and the old king's ghost does not appear - young Hamlet merely hears a voice from the tomb and (apparently) dreams of him. In addition, Hamlet now kills Claudius (in a fire) immediately upon returning from Norway with an army led by old school- friend Fortinbras, and it falls to Gertrude to engineer Hamlet's death in the fencing match as well as kill herself by accidentally drinking the poisoned wine.
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsJohn LauriePrince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.Own. Laurence Oliver wrote, directed and stared in this Oscar Best Picture Winner. He had played the role successfully on stage a decade before. He is a little too old for the role as he was already 40. The fact that the woman playing his mother was only turning 30 didn't help. The whole Oedipus thing going on stands out more in this adaption than any other I have seen. A lot of criticism for what had to be cut, but as a film it all works well. It has Patrick Troughton and Peter Cushing in small roles as the Player King and Oscric respectively. Bonus point if you can spot Christopher Lee.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMasayuki MoriKyôko KagawaA vengeful young man marries the daughter of a corrupt industrialist in order to seek justice for his father's suicide.(Hamlet plot) Seen. Akira Kurosawa directed in a modern Japanese corporate setting. Not essential like his other Shakespeare adaptions but still worth watching.