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Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (April 26, 1564 - April 23, 1616) is reputed to be the greatest of all writers in the English language, or indeed in any language. His ability to capture and convey the most profound aspects of human nature is regarded by many as unequalled, and the English Renaissance has often been called "the age of Shakespeare". He was among few playwrights who have excelled in both tragedy and comedy and several of his plays contain songs that are among the finest lyric poems in English. His prolific output is especially impressive in light of the fact that he lived only 53 years. "A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." - Will Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet (Zeffirelli) (1968)

7.6/10
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Olivia Hussey, Milo O'Shea, Leonard Whiting, Michael York

One of the most popular film adaptations of Shakespeare's classic, the recipient of international acclaim and four Academy Award nominations. Starring... Read more

O ( Othello ) (2001)

6.2/10
Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Starring: Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, Martin Sheen, Rain Phoenix, John Hear...

Shakespeare goes to high school in this controversial revamping of the Bard's "Othello." The setting is a modern-day suburban prep school wh... Read more

Romeo and Juliet (DiCaprio) (1996)

7.6/10
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Brian Dennehy, Claire Danes, Diane Venora, John Leguizamo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pa...

Baz Luhrmann's dazzling and unconventional adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic love story is spellbinding. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes... Read more

Henry V (Branagh) (1989)

7.7/10
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, Alec McCo...

An energetic, extraordinarily well-acted and perfectly cast version of Shakespeare's play adapted and directed by tyro-star Kenneth Branagh. Henry V i... Read more

Hamlet (Branagh) (1996)

7.8/10
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi

Murder and violence, revenge and intrigue, sex and desire, paranoia and madness - the heady brew of passion and emotion that makes up Shakespeare's Ha... Read more

Macbeth (Polanski) (1971)

6.6/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw

Aka "The Tragedy of Macbeth". Roman Polanski's violent retelling of Shakespeare's story of the Scottish war hero, prompted by supernatural prophecy an... Read more

The Taming of the Shrew - Shakespeare Retold (2005)

Director: David Richards
Starring: Shirley Henderson, Rufus Sewell, Jaime Murray, Stephen Tompkinson, Twiggy, Davi...

Katherine (Shirley Henderson) is a successful politician with a chance at the party leadership, but her abrasive temper has left her a 38-year-old sin... Read more

Love's Labour's Lost (1999)

6.1/10
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Alicia Silverstone, Nathan Lane, Richard Briers, Martin Scorses...

Shakespeare's breezy comedy is given some song-and-dance treatment in this mix of Bard and Broadway musical action that is set in the 1930's. A young... Read more

Henry V (Olivier) (1944)

7.7/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks, Robert Newton, Esmond Knight, Renee Asherson, Fe...

'Henry V' is one of Shakespeare's most compelling historical plays. Laurence Olivier won a special Oscar for outstanding achievement as an actor, prod... Read more

Richard III (Olivier) (1954)

7.5/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Claire Bloom, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke...

Shakespeare's tragic, twisted king is brilliantly portrayed by Laurence Olivier, who also produced and directed. With Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Richards... Read more