Shakespeare on screen
Great, interesting, or notable productions of the plays, with adaptations, and stories of the Bard himself. (Plays in rough chronological order.) This list is a project of love after thirty years as a Shakespeare fan, and I hope it will expand for many more years. Only features works that are available - either commercially or online - with rare exceptions.
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- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsCarole LombardJack BennyRobert StackDuring the German occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's efforts to track down a German spy.During the German occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's efforts to track down a German spy. A real classic, a comedy with depth.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsJack WestonJohn McGiverDoro MerandeJulius Moomer, a talentless, but relentless, self-promoting hack who dreams of becoming a successful television writer, uses a book of magic to summon William Shakespeare to write dramatic teleplays that Moomer will pass off as his own. Shakespeare becomes irritated by Moomer's lack of appreciation and is even more appalled when he discovers the changes wrought on his plays by cynical television executives.A direct satire of the American television industry, this episode of The Twilight Zone features a parody of Marlon Brando by Burt Reynolds, and concerns an inept screenwriter, who through the use of black magic, employs William Shakespeare as his ghostwriter.
- DirectorJames IvoryStarsShashi KapoorFelicity KendalGeoffrey KendalThe family troupe of English actors in India, performing Shakespearean plays, witness India's transformation as Maharajas shift to hotel owners, sports dominate, and theater replaced by Bolliwood movies.A charming, even exquisite film about a collapsing troupe of actors in the dying days of the British Raj.
- DirectorPaul BogartStarsJohn GielgudPerformance of extracts from Shakespeare's plays.The legendary Sir John Gielgud's one-man show, excerpting Shakespeare's works.
- DirectorDouglas HickoxStarsVincent PriceDiana RiggIan HendryA Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.A camp thing of glory, as a Shakespearean actor enacts gory revenge on his enemies (the critics, naturally!).
- StarsTim CurryPaul FreemanJohn NormingtonBiography of William Shakespeare.An intriguing six-episode Life of Shakespeare, starring Tim Curry.
- StarsBrenda BruceJon FinchDavid GwillimBBC adaptations of all 37 plays wholly and authoritatively credited to William Shakespeare.A mixed bag of a series but one I have a deep affection for (individual episodes below where available). An achievement that could never happen today.
- DirectorKirk BrowningStarsIan McKellenIan McKellen, alone on stage, with no props or scenery, performs monologues from Shakespeare and discusses some of his plays.McKellen at the height of his powers, in his one-act play.
- StarsJohn BartonDavid SuchetLisa HarrowJohn Barton holds a master class in how to play Shakespeare, using members of the RSC doing scenes, sonnets, and commentary as prime examples.The magnificent John Barton leads a cast of luminary RSC actors to explore, in nine episodes, the challenge and joy of performing Shakespeare in the theatre.
- DirectorAlan JohnsonStarsMel BrooksAnne BancroftRonny GrahamAt the onset of WW2, a Polish actor's family and the Polish Resistance help the troupe of a theatre escape Poland and the invading Nazis.A fairly faithful remake of the original film listed above. It's not a great success but Brooks and Bancroft are zealous in their attempts at humour, and the film makes some improvements on the original in terms of certain plot moments. Truly a labour of love.
- StarsCaroline LangrisheSuzanne BertishDaniel MasseyMarxist director Michael Bogdanov was deeply unsatisfied with the BBC Shakespeare, which he considered static and unengaging; his rival series put scenes from the plays into rehearsal to show audiences that theatre should be constantly challenging and surprising. Hard to find these days, alas.
- DirectorPeter YatesStarsAlbert FinneyTom CourtenayEdward FoxPersonal assistant Norman struggles to get deteriorating veteran actor Sir through a difficult performance of King Lear.Personal assistant Norman struggles to get deteriorating veteran actor Sir through a difficult performance of King Lear.
- 1985–19891hTV-PG6.6 (424)TV EpisodeDirectorWes CravenJ.D. FeigelsonTheodore J. FlickerStarsJames CocoBob DishyAvery Schreiber"Act Break": Selfish second-rate playwright Maury Winkler wishes for a better writing partner than his ailing colleague Harry. "The Burning Man": A strange figure appears on the road and tries to hitch a ride during a heat wave in 1936. "Dealer's Choice": Four poker pals sit down for a game with a mysterious stand-in named Nick.Unhappy with his co-writer, a writer wishes for someone better... and finds himself back in time with someone who just might fit the bill...
- DirectorBarry PurvesStarsBarry PurvesRoger ReesWilliam Shakespeare, without saying a word, gives a quick run through of all his plays in a very special audition.A joyous short film, in which Shakespeare performs every one of his plays - in five minutes!
- StarsAlec McCowenMichael KitchenSuzanne BurdenCondensed animated adaptations of plays by William Shakespeare.Marvellous art, in the form of 12 expertly constructed animations of Shakespeare's works; a great introduction.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsMichael MaloneyRichard BriersHetta CharnleyA group of theatre actors plays "Hamlet" in a provincial village, faced with their own temptations, disappointments, and joys.Delightful little film about an amateur production of Shakespeare.
- StarsKenneth CranhamCelia ImrieFiona ShawA six-part documentary series about presenting Shakespeare today. The episode titles highlight the broader themes in Shakespeare, while the contents focus down on a particular play, or even scene, highlighting that theme. King Lear, A Midsummers Night's Dream, Henry V, As You Like It, and Measure for Measure are featured.Have not seen this documentary yet, in which Fiona Shaw examines how to perform and approach Shakespeare's scenes.
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.What can we say about this? Charming, outrageous, beautiful, touching, very 1998.
- DirectorPaul KafnoStarsAdam LongReed MartinAustin TichenorThree guys, one dead playwright, and 37 plays, all in under two hours. In this universally acclaimed theater experience, Adam Long (one of the troupe's founding members), Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor manage to compress the complete works of Shakespeare into about an hour and 40 minutes of high-speed over-the-top hilarity. Knowledge about Shakespeare's works is helpful, but not at all necessary. All that is needed is time enough to watch and someone to dial 911 in case you pass out from laughing so much.Very very funny approach to Shakespeare's works, by a company who exemplify a true love of the Bard.
- StarsMichael WoodGregory DoranRay FearonMichael Wood tours the English locations important to William Shakespeare as he explores the playwright and poet's life and work.Very smart documentary series.
- CreatorSusan CoyneBob MartinMark McKinneyStarsPaul GrossMartha BurnsStephen OuimetteLegendary theatrical madman Geoffrey Tennant returns to New Burbage Theatre Festival after his mentor's death, encountering his spirit and attempting to stage a remarkable Hamlet production amidst chaos with a difficult cast and staff.A dramedy set at a (fictional) Canadian Shakespeare festival over three of its bumpy, very funny seasons.
- DirectorBarbara Willis SweeteStarsDiane D'AquilaBrent CarverPeter HuttQueen Elizabeth I visits Shakespeare's theatre troupe on the night her lover is to be executed - from Timothy Findley's play
- StarsNick MalinowskiJames McAvoyShirley HendersonA modern re-telling of four William Shakespeare stories.Very much of its time, but fun reworkings of four Shakespeare plays starring many British TV nobles of the turn-of-the-century.
- DirectorTom TodoroffStarsGeorge AntonDuncan BellKate BurtonNot sure why this has such low ratings; the great Cicely Berry leads an absolute star cast in a series of theatre workshops. For actors only.
- DirectorHank RogersonTwenty male inmates in a Kentucky prison form an unlikely Shakespearean acting troupe.