Which Shakespeare Play Has the Best Film Adaptations?
William Shakespeare is one of the most important English literature writers and one of the most prolific persons in the IMDb.
In his honour, which one of his world renowned plays has given us the best cinematographical adaptations?
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In his honour, which one of his world renowned plays has given us the best cinematographical adaptations?
Poll by Pencho15
Discuss Here
Vote here
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- DirectorJulie TaymorStarsHelen MirrenFelicity JonesDjimon HounsouShakespeare's epic play is translated from page to screen, with the gender of the main character, Prospero, changed from male to female.
- DirectorChristopher LuscombeStarsChristopher BenjaminSerena EvansSarah WoodwardImagining that Mistress Ford and Mistress Page have each fallen for him, the fat knight Sir John Falstaff decides to seduce them both, as much for their husbands' money as for their personal charms. Wise to the old rogue's tricks, the women turn the tables on him with a series of humiliating assignations and a very damp, extremely smelly laundry basket.Best Rated Version: Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor (1965)
Most Voted Version: As Alegres Comadres (2003) - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsAlexis DenisofAmy AckerFran KranzA modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsNorma ShearerLeslie HowardJohn BarrymoreYoung love is poisoned by a generations long feud between two noble families.
- DirectorPeter HallStarsDerek GodfreyBarbara JeffordNicholas SelbyThe adventures of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors and their interactions with fairies come to light in a moonlit forest.Best Rated Version: A Midsummer Night's Dream (1967)
Most Voted Version: A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) - DirectorChristopher DunneStarsCandy K. SweetLexton RaleighTom DennisA classic and intense horror/drama about the all consuming nature of revenge.
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierRobert NewtonLeslie BanksIn the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.Best and Most Voted Version: Henry V (1989)
- DirectorJames Cellan JonesStarsCyril CusackCharles GrayNicolas ChagrinAegeon of Syracuse has come to Ephesus to seek his son, who went in search of his missing twin and mother months ago. Unfortunately, Ephesus has just declared war on Syracuse, and will instantly put to death any Syracusean found within their borders unless a ransom's paid. Meanwhile, the son, Antipholus, and his servant, Dromio (also an identical twin), keep running into strangers who seem to know them...
- DirectorAndré CalmettesJames KeaneStarsRobert GempFrederick WardeAlbert GardnerRichard of Gloucester uses manipulation and murder to gain the English throne.
- DirectorJack GoldStarsJohn Franklyn-RobbinsJohn Rhys-DaviesAlan DavidA rich merchant, Antonio is depressed for no good reason, until his good friend Bassanio comes to tell him how he's in love with Portia. Portia's father has died and left a very strange will: only the man that picks the correct casket out of three (silver, gold, and lead) can marry her. Bassanio, unfortunately, is strapped for cash with which to go wooing, and Antonio wants to help, so Antonio borrows the money from Shylock, the money-lender. But Shylock has been nursing a grudge against Antonio's insults, and makes unusual terms to the loan. And when Antonio's business fails, those terms threaten his life, and it's up to Bassanio and Portia to save him.Best Rated Version: Der Kaufmann von Venedig (1968)
Most Voted Version: The Merchant of Venice (2004) - DirectorPaul CzinnerStarsElisabeth BergnerLaurence OlivierSophie StewartA Duke usurps his brother's land and power, banishing him and his entourage into the forest of Arden. The banished Duke's daughter, Rosalind, remains with her cousin Celia. She has fallen in love with Orlando, but he has his own tyrannical brother with whom to contend, so he joins those in the forest.
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonCyril CusackBrutish, fortune-hunting scoundrel Petruchio tames his wealthy, shrewish wife, Katharina.
- DirectorEugene MullinCharles KentStarsJulia Swayne GordonCharles KentFlorence TurnerAn early silent version of Shakespeare's classic comedy of unrequited love and gender bending.
- DirectorTheodore MarstonBarry O'NeilStarsAnna RosemondMartin FaustFrank Hall CraneThe kings of Bohemia and Sicilia, monarchs of adjoining kingdoms, have been close friends since boyhood. But after each has assumed his regal duties, they find that they are unable to see much of each other. Therefore, as the story opens they have not met in several years, during which each has married and the King of Bohemia has sired a son, now four years old. The King of Bohemia enjoys a visit to his boyhood friend of Sicilia, is royally received and presented to his host's queen who, n fulfilling her hostess duties, unconsciously arouses her royal husband's jealousy. Blinded by jealousy, the King of Sicilia orders his royal guest, whom he considers his rival, poisoned. The King of Bohemia escapes a horrible death through the confession of the courtier who has been employed to kill him. He returns safely to his own kingdom, carrying with him the courtier who saved his life. Enraged at the escape of his victim, the King of Sicilia orders his Queen imprisoned. From her prison the Queen sends her infant daughter to her royal father, hoping to soften his heart. But the King will not be won over. He heartlessly orders the child taken beyond the borders of his kingdom and left in the wilderness to perish. The Queen is tried at a public tribunal and there, overcome with grief at the false accusation, she swoons and is pronounced dead by her lady-in-waiting Paulina. The body is left in Paulina's charge, and when the Queen revives later, she is taken to Paulina's house, where she dwells in seclusion, her existence unknown to all but Paulina. A shepherd of Bohemia finds the infant Princess of Sicilia, takes her to his home, and raises her as his daughter, keeping her costly robes and jewels so that at some future time they might assist in identifying her as the child of wealthy parents. After 15 years, the young Prince of Bohemia is seen starting out from the palace in a mysterious manner. When his father, the King, questions where he is going, he refuses to answer. The King allows him to go, but he trails him accompanied by his trusted friend. The Prince disguises himself as a shepherd, in which guise he romances a beautiful maiden whom he supposes is only the simple shepherdess she appears to be--but she is actually the Princess of Sicilia. The King arrives at the shepherd's hut just in time to hear the Prince announce his intention of marrying the shepherdess. The King forbids the engagement and leaves the Prince in anger. His faithful courtier, however, befriends the young couple and advises them to fly for protection to the court of the King of Sicilia. The lovers arrive in Sicilia accompanied by the old shepherd. Here they are gladly received by the repentant King, who, too late, realizes that his jealousy was groundless. He mourns his lost Queen and his estranged friend. The shepherd, in endeavoring to prove that his adopted daughter is of gentle birth, thus permitting of her marriage to the Prince, shows the King the clothes she had been wearing when he found her as a baby, and the King recognizes the clothes as those his own child wore. The King of Bohemia then arrives upon the scene and is told the glad news amid general rejoicings. As a final surprise the royal party is invited by Paulina to visit her house and there view a statue of the Queen. The statue comes to life before the eyes of the royal party, or rather the Queen who had made up to resemble a statue, extends her hand to her grieving spouse, who is glad to receive her, whom he had thought lost and now found again.
- DirectorDavid BradleyStarsCharlton HestonGrosvenor GlennHarold TaskerThe growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
- DirectorLawrence CarraStarsLynn RedgraveTimothy DaltonNichelle NicholsAfter the murder of her lover Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor: Octavius.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghJulie ChristieDerek JacobiHamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother remarrying the murderer, his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.
- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsWoody AllenFreddy BuacheLeos CaraxA descendant of Shakespeare tries to restore his plays in a world rebuilding itself after the Chernobyl catastrophe obliterates most of human civilization.Best and Most Voted Version: Ran (1985)
- DirectorOliver ParkerStarsLaurence FishburneKenneth BranaghIrène JacobThe Moorish General Othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his Lieutenant Michael Cassio, when in reality, it is all part of the scheme of a bitter Ensign named Iago.
- DirectorJustin KurzelStarsMichael FassbenderMarion CotillardJack MadiganMacbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsAlessandro NivolaAlicia SilverstoneNatascha McElhoneAn update of the classic Shakespeare story, director Kenneth Branagh shot the film like a classic 1930s musical. It tells the story of four best friends who swear off love.His least adapted plays like: Love's Labour's Lost (1985), Measure for Measure (2006), Coriolanus (2011) or King John (1899) have given better adaptations.