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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

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 (Scott) (2000)

7.8/10
Director: Campbell Scott
Starring: Blair Brown, Roscoe Lee Browne, LisaGay Hamilton, Campbell Scott

Campbell Scott co-directs and stars as Hamlet in this excellent made-for-television version of Shakespeare's popular tragedy. The classic tale centres... 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

Hamlet 2 (2008)

6.4/10
Director: Andrew Fleming
Starring: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler, Jos...

Steve Coogan stars as a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher who, in an effort to save his newly acquired drama department, conceives a... 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

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

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

In Search of Shakespeare (2004)

8.2/10
Director: David Wallace
Starring: Michael Wood

He is the most famous of Englishmen, and yet our biographical knowledge of William Shakespeare has always been scant. Now Michael Wood - with the help... 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

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