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 (Walker) (2007)
6.9/10
Director: Derek Bailey, Wilson Milam
Starring: Eamonn Walker, Tim McInnerny, Zoe Tapper
Performed for the first time at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, with its racing concentrated plot and intense dramatic detail, "Othello" is one of Shakes... Read more
The Winter's Tale (1999)
7.7/10
Director: Robin Lough, Gregory Doran
Starring: Antony Sher, Alexandra Gilbreath
The complete and unedited production of Shakespeare's classic play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1999 at the Barbican. King Leontes of... Read more
Julius Caesar (BBC) (1979)
7.4/10
Director: Herbert Wise
Starring: Richard Pasco, Keith Michell, Virginia McKenna, Charles Gray
Richard Pasco, Keith Michell and Charles Gray star this BBC production of Shakespeare's artful telling of conspiracy in the Roman Senate. Fearful that... Read more
Will Shakespeare (1978)
7.7/10
Director: Robert Knights, Mark Cullingham
Starring: Ian McShane, Nicholas Clay, Tim Curry, John McEnery
Tim Curry plays the Bard in this six-part dramatised account, written by John Mortimer, that follows the years Shakespeare spent in London. With each... Read more
As You Like It (BBC) (1978)
6.3/10
Director: Basil Coleman
Starring: Helen Mirren, Brian Stirner, Richard Pasco
One of Shakespeare's favourites throughout the ages. A fairy tale of tangled love and political intrigue lavishly staged by Canada's renowned Stratfor... Read more
King Lear (Scofield) (1970)
8.3/10
Director: Peter Brook
Starring: Paul Scofield, Irene Worth, Jack MacGowran
To see Paul Scofield as Lear is to see nobility turn to pauperdom, pride to a frenzy of madness, manhood to senility, in the course of a single and un... Read more
Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song (2013)
5.6/10
Director: Tim van Dammen
Starring: Anton Tennet, Christopher Landon, Derya Parlak, Dan Veint, Sarah Houbolt, Todd E...
Sometimes, even when you know you shouldn't, you just fall in love. Set against the backdrop of high summer in Verona Campground, two hot kids from fe... Read more
NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage (2014)
7.1/10
Director: Jeremy Whelehan
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Sam Mendes
It's that rare film that captures and conveys the romance of the theatrical experience. Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times. Join the excitement of live... Read more
The Hollow Crown: Series 2 - The Wars of the Roses (2016)
8.4/10
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatc...
These three screen adaptations, Henry VI in two parts and Richard III, tell the story of 'The Wars of the Roses', an exceptionally turbulent period in... Read more
Hamlet (Williamson) (1969)
7.8/10
Director: Tony Richardson
Starring: Nicol Williamson, Gordon Jackson, Anthony Hopkins
Nicol Williamson and director Tony Richardson bring their successful stage version of the world's most famous play to the screen with striking results... Read more