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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

Othello (Olivier) (1965)

6.9/10
Director: Stuart Burge
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Joyce Redman, Frank Finlay, Derek Jacobi

Shakespeare's tragic story of how a great man's vanity is manipulated by a jealous aide to bring his downfall, has never been more movingly nor dramat... Read more

Macbeth - Shakespeare Retold (2005)

Director: Mark Brozel
Starring: James McAvoy, Keeley Hawes, Joseph Millson, Toby Kebbell, Vincent Regan, Richard...

Shakespeare's Scottish play is skilfully transferred to a modern day restaurant where chef Joe Macbeth (James McAvoy) has worked hard to make Duncan D... Read more

Hamlet (Olivier) (1948)

7.8/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney

A brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare's play about the Danish prince 'who just couldn't make up his mind'. Hauntingly photographed in Elsinore, Denmar... Read more

The Tempest (1979)

6.6/10
Director: Derek Jarman
Starring: Heathcote Williams, Karl Johnson, Toyah Wilcox

British helmer Derek Jarman's film version of Shakespeare's most fanciful play is definitely one of a kind. The plot remains intact, however, liberty... Read more

King Lear (McKellen) (2007)

8.3/10
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Frances Barber, Ian McKellen, Jonathan Hyde

The Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of the famous tale of jealously and betrayal, filmed in high definition as it was performed live in 2007. K... Read more

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

7.1/10
Director: Michael Radford
Starring: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris M...

Al Pacino takes the lead role of Shylock the moneylender in one of Shakespeare's most searing plays, with Jeremy Irons as the melancholy Antonio who o... Read more

Julius Caesar (1953)

7.4/10
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Starring: Marlon Brando, John Gielgud, James Mason, Louis Calhern, Edmond O'Brien, Greer G...

A superior adaptation of William Shakespeare's play of political power and honour in ancient Rome. Lavishly produced with Oscar Winning art direction-... Read more

The Tempest (2010)

5.4/10
Director: Julie Taymor
Starring: Alan Cumming, Alfred Molina, Chris Cooper, David Strathairn, Helen Mirren, Djimo...

The world of Shakespeare is filmmaker Julie Taymor's ("Titus") stage in this vivid version of the Bard's fantastical drama, the story of exiled female... Read more

Othello (BBC) (1981)

6.9/10
Director: Jonathan Miller
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins, Penelope Wilton, Rosemary Leach

After undertaking to film all Shakespeare's plays, the BBC produced some of the most faithful and gripping renditions of the bard's work ever committe... Read more

Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

7.2/10
Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Clark Gregg, Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Fran Kranz,...

Fans of Whedon and Shakespeare will rejoice... Joss Whedon's sexy and contemporary spin on Shakespeare's classic comedy about sparring lovers Beatrice... Read more