Three Shakespeare plays coming up---recommendations for movie versions?

[Michelle in MO]

We're almost at the end of our Omnibus II studies, and we'll be doing A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry V, and Richard III. I know what to use for Henry V, of course, for a film version, but could use recommendations for the other two.

Are there any good film version? If so, what year/actors/actresses?

Thanks!

[Jenny in Atl]

Here are two of Midsummer Night's Dream. Helen Mirren & Peter McEnery are in the first and Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart, and Rupert Everett are in the second. I like both but you may want to preview for your family's taste.

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shakespeare_Comedies_A_Midsummer_Night_s_Dream/70015615?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1405113280_5_0

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/A_Midsummer_Night_s_Dream/22006172?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1405113280_0_0


This Ian McKellen version is wonderful but not traditional.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Richard_III/26587474?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=597173144_0_0

[Michelle in MO]

of Netflix, but I'll check our local Blockbuster. Barnes & Noble online showed A Midsummer Night's Dream in a number of different versions, and showed only one version (Laurence Olivier) in Richard III.

Thanks for your help! I may have to join Netflix!

[kpupg]

Are there any good film version? If so, what year/actors/actresses?

DH and I love Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V," though the battle scene is quite gory. We also liked Ian McKellan's "Richard III," though it's set in a WWII-like setting -- nothing like that famous line "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse" when Richard's jeep won't go LOL.

Karen

[Eliana]

I strongly dislike McKellan's Richard III (http://www.amazon.com/Richard-III-Ian-McKellen/dp/0792844041/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933697&sr=1-1); I feel it missed the essence of both the character and the play as a whole. I would stay far away from this.

The Olivier version (http://www.amazon.com/Richard-III-Collection-Stewart-Allen/dp/B00014K5ZA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933697&sr=1-2)... that's hard to evaluate. It gets some things beautifully right.. but it rearranges everything and, cuts out Margaret entirely, and eviscerates the Richard-Anne scene - I can't watch it without getting antsy and turning it off to take a break... but RIII is the play I once knew word-for-word from start to finish, so I am very biased. If you don't mind having the play chopped up and a bit distorted, this is a very nice production.

It's not as vibrant as the other two, but the BBC production (from their complete Shakespeare set (on Amazon here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002CHIVK/ref=pd_cp_d_3?pf_rd_p=316286001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00006FXDE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1K1GJPX4WQJJB8C6K03S) as part of a boxed set, but available in most libraries)) is *much* truer to the play.


I have never liked the Branagh Henry V (http://www.amazon.com/Henry-V-Brian-Blessed/dp/079284615X/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933697&sr=1-9), but it is a very popular choice.

Olivier's Henry V (http://www.amazon.com/Henry-Criterion-Collection-Laurence-Olivier/dp/0780021320/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933946&sr=1-2)has some really nice points - and the opening parts are fascinating.... they start out showing you it as a staged production (roughly as it might have been in Shakespeare's time) and they transition into a film. I don't think Olivier quite captures Henry here (he actually was more on with Richard's character in many ways), but he doesn't grate on me the way Branagh does.

The BBC Shakespeare version (http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Histories-Henry-Richard-Giftbox/dp/B0002CHIVK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933946&sr=1-5) (part of the same boxed set - you can get individual titles for about $50 from Ambrose media (http://www.ambrosevideo.com/items.cfm?id=812) or the whole set for *gasp* $1500 - if you can play UK region DVD's you can get the whole set (http://www.amazon.com/BBC-TV-Shakespeare-Collection-Non-US/dp/B0010EBGJO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207934202&sr=1-5) off Amazon Marketplace for about $400... it was cheaper when dh got it for me for my b-day (the most extravagant gift I have ever gotten!), but this seems to be the new price. Again, most library systems will have these.) is, again, less vibrant, but, again, more accurate - though, in this case, I think I would go with the Olivier.


The Pfeiffer/Everett Midsummer (http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Kevin-Kline/dp/6305622876/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207933648&sr=1-1)has some nice points, but it also has extended nudity and is not one I'm showing our kids. (though Bottom is very well done - given a humanity not often seen.)


Reinhardt's Midsummer (http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-James-Cagney/dp/B000QGE8JC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207934243&sr=1-2)also has some nice points
- Olivia de Haviland is a sweet Hermia, it is visually a very lovely production, the score is by Korngold(!!), but the performances are uneven and some of the directorial choices are... interesting.

The Judy Dench Midsummer (http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Judi-Dench/dp/B0007CNXV4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207934270&sr=1-3) also has more-than-passing scenes with nudity - it's an interesting production. Dench is a bare-breasted Titiania, Mirren here is Hermia, and Diana Rigg is Helena - all three put in good performances, but the guys are less convincing and the overall film doesn't quite succeed.

IMHO, stay far away from this one (http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Lindsay-Duncan/dp/B000068QPX/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207934270&sr=1-4) - not just b/c of the fairly explicit Bttom/Titiania s*x scene, but there are so many bizarre things here... a little boy who pops up throughout the play, weird costuming choices, and outlandish settings.. and the umbrellas... anyway. There is some good acting in this, and if you wanted to explore a wide range of productions, this should be on this list.... but then, in that case, so should the one from Shakespeare Retold (http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Retold-Paterson/dp/B000OY9VFW/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3T5EES4F68QI2&colid=3TM9S6C1K5O7S). (These actually are quite nice productions - they stick a Shakespeare story into a modern setting and occasionally use lines from the plays... they *are not*, by any stretch of the imagination, Shakespeare, but they are interesting... like those kids books with a story loosely based on a fairy tale.. you can see where they got it from, and how they are exploring the underlying themes, but it's a whole different story, kwim?)

Once again, I'd recommend the BBC Shakespeare version (with Helen Mirren, this time as Titania) - here (http://www.amazon.com/BBC-Shakespeare-Comedies-DVD-Giftbox/dp/B0000APNTV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1207934319&sr=1-1) in another boxed set.

[Michelle in MO]

I normally like Ian McKellen, but it sounded like the staging of his Richard III was unusual. I may have to go for the Olivier boxed set; besides, it would be nice to compare his Henry V to Branagh's. If I get the boxed set, I'll be getting two out of the three versions.

I also normally really like Judy Dench, because she's such a fine actress, but I too would have problems with extended frontal nudity! Really---is that necessary? I may try to rent the Pfeiffer version, mostly because I think our local video store may carry it, but I may actually try to purchase the Midsummer Night's Dream version with Helen Mirren.

It sounds like your husband bought you a wonderful birthday gift in getting you that entire BBC Shakespeare collection! What a great idea! My birthday's not for a while, though. :rolleyes:

Thank you for such a complete reply, plus the links are wonderful! I'll look everything up---this is a tremendous help!

[Eliana]

I normally like Ian McKellen, but it sounded like the staging of his Richard III was unusual. I may have to go for the Olivier boxed set; besides, it would be nice to compare his Henry V to Branagh's. If I get the boxed set, I'll be getting two out of the three versions.

I also normally really like Judy Dench, because she's such a fine actress, but I too would have problems with extended frontal nudity! Really---is that necessary? I may try to rent the Pfeiffer version, mostly because I think our local video store may carry it, but I may actually try to purchase the Midsummer Night's Dream version with Helen Mirren.

It sounds like your husband bought you a wonderful birthday gift in getting you that entire BBC Shakespeare collection! What a great idea! My birthday's not for a while, though. :rolleyes:

Thank you for such a complete reply, plus the links are wonderful! I'll look everything up---this is a tremendous help!

The Pfeiffer also has extended nudity - the young lovers lose their clothes midway through the forest section and when they are found in the morning they are all in their all togethers. ...if you want, I could skim through it after Shabbos to see how, uhm, explicit the nudity is and get back to you. Would that be helpful?

Do check ebay for the Olivier - I got Henry V for under a dollar (plus shipping from Hong Kong) for the Criterion edition with *optional* Chinese subtitles. I believe I saw the RIII there as well.

[Moira in MA]

Lots of good suggestions here. But wanted to add that there is a silent version of Richard III. It is really funny to watch.

Our votes go to: BBC Richard III, Branagh's Henry V and the Michelle Pfeiffer version of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Since we've seen Richard III multiple times, we're watching Al Pacino's Looking for Richard. And of course, the girls are in A Midsummer Night's Dream this year so they're really experiencing that.

[Mrs Mungo]

I vote McKellen version of Richard III, Pfeiffer version of Midsummer and Branagh version of Henry V.

[Michelle in MO]

I will take your suggestion of Ebay for the Olivier set, too, although I might check on Amazon. Sometimes they sell used versions for decent prices. For me, the sets wouldn't have to be new. I would just like to wrap up these three Shakespeare plays with a film version of each. Also, I may check the theater schedule in St. Louis. Every year they have "Shakespeare in the Park" and sometimes those productions are supposed to be quite good.

Thanks again---and a blessed Sabbath to you!

[Jane in NC]

Michelle,

I know that you are looking for movies, but today at the library I saw an audio production of Richard III (http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/northamerica/321712.htm) starring Kenneth Branagh and Geraldine McEwan. If you are unsure of a movie version that you wish to share with your girls, this may provide an alternate choice.

Jane

[Eliana]

Okay, here's a quick summary of the nudity/s*x related content which might be of concern. I didn't watch the movie all the way through, I just looked at the scenes I remembered as problematic.

Fairies are scantily clad (some have skirts which are really ribbons, some skirts slit to high on the thigh, some are bare chested (in one scene there are completely nude fairies immersed in water and bare bre*sts are clearly visible twice)

When Hermia and Lysander lie down to rest for the night, Hermia undressed down to a scanty corset-thingy and pantaloons. (her outfit for the rest of the forest scenes - though she wears Demetrius's coat (open) for a little bit on top of this)

Lysander sees this and slips up behind her and grabs her breast (this grab lasts a good 5+ seconds and is the complete focus of the camera lens - you cannot miss this), when she turns, we see that he is completely nude - chest, leg, thigh, and buttocks are seen.

They have some impassioned kissing and there are couple more very visible breast grabs (briefer this time.)
She laughs at his er*ction (not seen) and gives him part of her dress to cover himself.

He wraps this around his waist and this is what he wears for the rest of the forest scenes.

A scantily clad Titiania (very thin garment, slit very high - thighs are often seen) straddles a prone Bottom.

Later, in a different even scantier outfit, she takes Bottom's hand and places it on her breast. She embraces him and then looks down and laughs at his (unseen) er*ction the other fairies laugh too.

A clearly nude Titiania straddles a nude Bottom, rolls over on her back, and he climbs eagerly on top of her. (Her hair is strategically placed throughout this scene.)

Hermia (in just her corset and pantaloons) mud wrestles Hermia and rips off *her* dress - so she's in a corset and pantaloons as well.

Oberon climbs on top of a scantily clad Titiania while they are kissing passionately.

Bare chested fairies (with strategically placed hair) wash the lovers' clothing in a pool.

The four lovers are found entwined (in pairs) clearly completely nude. Strategically placed grass, flowers, and each other's bodies keep us from seeing bre*sts, etc clearly.

The lovers are seen nude in their marriage beds, with blankets covering them to the waist and the women's hair strategically placed (again!).

I hope this is helpful - if you want any clarification or have more questions, let me know! I took notes as I watched these scenes...so I should be able to answer any questions you might still have.

[Michelle in MO]

Jane, I'll check out the Branagh version of Richard III. I only looked the titles up on Amazon and these were the ones I came up with. It looks like it's an audiobook, which is interesting. I hadn't thought of that---I only searched under DVD's!

Eliana, thank you for the thorough review! It sounds like it may not be the best choice to watch. If I remember correctly, you also said there was one with Helen Mirren in it that you thought was good. I may try to buy one from Amazon. I did borrow the movie from our local Blockbuster (the Midsummer Night's Dream with Michele Pfeiffer) but haven't watched it yet. I may try to pre-watch a few scenes myself. Sometimes if there are just a couple of isolated scenes that display too much nudity and s*x, I have the girls close their eyes. But, that might be harder if it's displayed throughout the whole movie. I'm glad I didn't go ahead and buy anything yet!

Thanks again for pre-watching this for me! Thanks, Jane, for the link to the other production of Richard III!