Shakespeare ReTold [DVD] [2005]

 

 

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When I read the description of this DVD, I knew I had to have it. Since this DVD is not available in the US, I paid the extra to have it shipped from the UK, and I'm having to use a region-free DVD player to view it. It is totally worth the hassle!

"Taming of the Shrew" is worth it all by itself, really. Rufus Sewell is a very good actor, but I confess I usually didn't get too excited when I learned he was in a movie. (He's always fabulous but so often he plays creeps and bad guys.) In this production, however, he is *hilarous.* Brilliant! I am forever a Rufus Sewell fan now. His character is the perfect complement to Shirley Henderson's petite bundle of hate and hostility as the bad-tempered Kate. I also consider myself a fan of Henderson now as well. She's wonderful. These two characters--who are each a mess by themselves--somehow make a perfect (in an off-beat way) couple.

"Macbeth" is also very good. Keeley Hawes and James McAvoy really do a wonderful job in their roles, and the updated storyline (about an ambitious chef) is well done. Also, if you are a fan of "North & South" (BBC miniseries, based on the Gaskell novel) you'll notice that Richard Armitage (who played the brooding Mr. Thornton) has a smallish--but important--role as MacDuff.

"Much Ado About Nothing" is hilarious, enjoyable, and makes a believable update of that play. "Midsummer Night's Dream" is good as well.

Don't expect these stories to copy the original Shakespeare plays perfectly—they are adapted in ways that make the stories work for current times, while keeping the "spirit" of the original.

This is definitely worth the money! Even if you have to have the DVD shipped overseas.

I revelled in these films when they were first shown on TV in 2005, and eagerly awaited the next film the following week. Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night's Dream were hilarious. In contrast, Macbeth was one of the darkest films I've seen for a long time, in the same league as some of Hitchcock's darkest moments. Would Will Shakespeare approve of these interpretations? Nevertheless, what a great way to introduce Shakespeare to a whole new generation in the 21st century. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the BBC produce more of this, without doubt the peak of my TV viewing for 2005.

Before I begin may I just compliment Amazon for it's amazing service. Not only is this dvd fantastic value (being four movies for £4.98) Amazon also had it shipped to me here in Ireland within two days. So if you're one of those people who used to be like me and afraid of online shopping I urge you take the chance and start today. You won't be disappointed.

Well what can I say about these adaptations. Fantastic isn't the word. I, myself am a fan of Shakespeare but had never read any of the plays in this series but I am definitely putting it on my list of things to do following this exceptional series, which certainly proved that it is possible to take well-loved stories and make them relevant in the 21st century.

'Much Ado about nothing' is sharp, witty and funny. Setting it in a news studio was an excellent way of comtemporising the story. While viewers will undoubtedly enjoy the love/hate relationship between Benedict and Beatrice the story is at all times carefully balanced between comedy and the more serious elements in particular the secondary storyline involving up and coming star Billie Piper in the middle of a clausterphobic love-triange. The acting is top-notch, the humour clever and the romance credible. The only thing that annoyed me about this film (and this is the tiniest fault ever) was the omission of why Benedict left Beatrice in the first place. I felt such a revelation would have been much appreciated and perhaps made the relationship between the two leads more solid. 10 out of 10.

The Taming of the Shrew is by far the funniest of the four. This idea will work for some and not for others. While Shirley Henderson in the lead as the wild, rude and downright unpredictable politician is a joy to behold I do believe one's enjoyment of this movie will depend on how much you like the lead actress. Personally for me her voice was a tad irritating and there are numerous times when she talks fast where I couldn't make out what she was saying. Other than that small detail this movie is hilarious, clever and far from predictable. 9 out of 10.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is the weakest of the four. While the acting is perfect, the setting serene and mysterious and the script full of very thought-provoking lines (Some people make things happen, others let them happen) at times it does seem to drag despite being only 1h30 particular in scenes involving the security guards. Personally I don't know if the whole supernatural thing worked for me. Too many things seemed to be happening at once especially as we were dealing with four couples. I'd give this 8.

Finally Macbeth was possibly my favourite of the four. It was dark, clausterphobic, passionate...everything you'd expect from a good thriller. Once you've got past the fifteen minutes, which does appear like an advertisement for cookery programs this movie will suck you in having you on the edge of your seats wondering who the next victim of Macbeth's inner turmoil will be. Special mention must go to the two leads played excellently by James McEvoy and Keely Hawes depicting the torture and mental deterioration spectacularly. Any faults? Well not really. It does end rather abruptly. I would have liked to have been given more answers but then again I think the beauty of this series is that it lets you make your own conclusions. Maybe it would have been nice to have seen a little more of the divine Richard Armitage, who did seem to be under-played in this series. 10 out of 10 other than that.

Overall these four videos will not disappoint. I'd encourage them to all people looking for a good drama. Don't let the fact that they're adaptations of Shakespeare put you off. In fact be warned you'll be longing to read the bard's work after viewing these masterpieces.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Dvds
I thoroughly enjoyed this modern version of Taming of the Shrew.
The acting was impeccable.Loved it! Read more

Published 4 days ago by scotty

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value for money
A really good quality product. The adaptations are very entertaining with a stellar cast. Macbeth is my personal favourite - although I'm slightly surprised that it passes as a... Read more

Published 7 days ago by DerbyRob

4.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare Retold
I was very pleased as I had not seen any one of these four films. I liked least the retelling of Macbeth. Read more

Published 29 days ago by Robert Walling

5.0 out of 5 stars Very clever!
This is a very clever adaptation of Shakespeare's work brought right up to date, but it helps to have some knowledge of the original work otherwise the importance of certain... Read more

Published 1 month ago by RH

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
I'm still at school and we have to study Shakespeare every single year. I can't stand his work, mostly because of how hard it is to understand. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Charlotte Coles

2.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare Retold DVD 2005
I am presently teaching Macbeth to young people who have lots of gaps in their education. Consequently, I chose this DVD thinking that they would understand the plot more clearer... Read more

Published 1 month ago by joyce

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Value
This is an excellent DVD and I feel it is one of the best DVD bargains that I have ever purchased. The stories are variations on Shakespearean plays, the writing is excellent, the... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Highlander

3.0 out of 5 stars no subtitles.
first of all, I am a customer outside of UK, and I'm not good at English...... so I expected that this DVD got subtitles in English, but it didn't. Read more

Published 6 months ago by beion

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare ReTold
This series goes to show what a great storyteller Mr Shakespeare was. My favourite was The Taming of the Shrew - the pairing of Rufus Sewell and Shirley Henderson is theatrical... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Tumblegum

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare and Today.
Can Shakespeare be made available to all? Yes, just watch this DVD, MacBeth in a kitchen where the chef hates Gordon Ramsey, A Midsummer Nights Dream in a theme park with a dope... Read more

Published 11 months ago by kenW

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