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 (Harvey) / Romeo and Juliet (Ballet) (1954)
5.5/10
Director: Paul Czinner, Renato Castellani
Starring: Laurence Harvey, Flora Robson, Susan Shentall, Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev
"Romeo and Juliet" (1954) - Laurence Harvey stars in this commanding interpretation of the Bard's great tale of star-crossed lovers. Stunningly photog... Read more
Henry V (Olivier) ( Blu-ray ) (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
Hamlet (Olivier) ( Blu-ray ) (1948)
7.8/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Eileen Herlie, Laurence Olivier, 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 Shakespeare Collection: Series 3 (BBC) (1980)
8.5/10
Starring: John Cleese, Warren Mitchell, Jane Lapotaire, Jonathan Pryce
In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyal... Read more
Antony And Cleopatra (BBC) (1981)
5.9/10
Director: Jonathan Miller
Starring: Colin Blakely, Janet Key, Jane Lapotaire, John Paul, Esmond Knight, Ian Charleso...
Colin Blakely and Jan Lapataire star in this BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's passionate tale. Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire... Read more
Othello (Welles) (1952)
6.9/10
Director: Orson Welles
Starring: Orson Welles, Michael Macliammoir, Robert Coote
Shot entirely out of sequence over four years because of budget difficulties, this would be one of the most fascinating attempts at Shakespeare ever f... Read more
Romeo and Juliet (Zeffirelli) ( Blu-ray ) (1968)
7.6/10
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Leonard Whiting, Michael York, Milo O'Shea, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery
One of the most popular film adaptations of Shakespeare's classic, the recipient of international acclaim and four Academy Award nominations. Starring... Read more
Twelfth Night (1988)
7/10
Director: Paul Kafno
Starring: Richard Briers, Caroline Langrishe
The tale begins when a brother and sister are separated in a shipwreck, but survive to be washed up on the shore of Illyria. The sister, Viola, disgui... Read more
Richard III (Olivier) ( Blu-ray ) (1954)
7.5/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Stanley Baker, Claire Bloom, John Gielgud, Cedric Hardwicke, R...
Shakespeare's tragic, twisted king is brilliantly portrayed by Laurence Olivier, who also produced and directed. With Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Richards... Read more
As You Like It (1936)
6/10
Director: Paul Czinner
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Elisabeth Bergner
Filmed in 1936 when Olivier was still considered a promising young actor rather than one of the finest thespians ever, this is his first filmed perfor... Read more