Login

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

All Night Long (1961)

5.9/10
Director: Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Starring: Richard Attenborough, Patrick McGoohan, Keith Michell, Betsy Blair, Charles Ming...

Directed by Basil Dearden and set in London's jazz scene of the 1950s, this atmospheric updating of Shakespeare's 'Othello' features appearances by so... Read more

Throne of Blood (1957)

8.1/10
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Takashi Shimura

Kurosawa's version of 'Macbeth' spares no effort in creating an atmosphere of obsessive madness and supernatural compulsion. The black and white contr... Read more

Forbidden Planet (1956)

7.6/10
Director: Fred M Wilcox
Starring: Robby the Robot, Warren Stevens, Walter Pidgeon, Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis

'The best of the science fiction interstellar productions of the fifties', according to Pauline Kael. The action takes place in the year 2257 on the p... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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