Shakespeare [trad & modern] watchlist: the best only
The best Watchlist of Shakespeare - Surprisingly good & diverse!
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- DirectorLorry PowlesStarsSimon Russell BealeMatthew BurtonBen CrystalThe character from Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe (2013) presents a mockumentary about William Shakespeare, talking us through his life and works in her own unique style.Half serious and informative, half tongue-in-cheek parody, Shakespeare would probably approve.
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.Fiction about the life of Shakespeare, based around the writing of Romeo and Juliet.
- DirectorMichael RadfordStarsAl PacinoJoseph FiennesLynn CollinsIn 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.The first proper Shakespeare-written movie on this list, and it's a good solid one.
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsLeonard WhitingOlivia HusseyJohn McEneryWhen two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.A classic.
- DirectorGregory DoranStarsTheo AffailSegun AkingbolaAdjoa AndohThe 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.Someone needs to make a version of "Julius Caesar" which combines the best of this version with the best of the more epic 1968 version. In the meantime, this is a good retelling of the story.
- DirectorDes McAnuffStarsChristopher PlummerGeraint Wyn DaviesJohn VickeryExiled Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives.Helen Mirren lifts a great story and turns it into a stunning fantasy.
- StarsNick MalinowskiJames McAvoyShirley HendersonA modern re-telling of four William Shakespeare stories.Next in the list is "Much Ado about nothing" from the ShakespeaRe-Told series. (you can't list the episodes seperately on here unfortunately.
- 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.A musical to lighten things up
- DirectorTrevor NunnStarsHelena Bonham CarterRichard E. GrantImogen StubbsShakespeare's comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.Great cast.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghDerek JacobiSimon ShepherdIn the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.Now for the meat - heavyweight Traditional Shakespeare.
- DirectorRichard LoncraineStarsIan McKellenAnnette BeningChristopher BowenThe classic Shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15th-century king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s England as clouds of fascism gather.
- DirectorMichael AlmereydaStarsEthan HawkeKyle MacLachlanDiane VenoraModern-day New York City adaptation of Shakespeare's immortal story about Hamlet's plight to avenge his father's murder.Ethan Hawke is a welcome change to lift things.
- StarsNick MalinowskiJames McAvoyShirley HendersonA modern re-telling of four William Shakespeare stories.Taming of the Shrew from this series.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsTakuya ShimadaBrian BlessedRichard CliffordA daughter of the powerful Duke must show her courage and inventiveness to be with the man she loves.
- DirectorMichael HoffmanStarsKevin KlineMichelle PfeifferRupert EverettLovers' lives are complicated by city law, feuding faerie royalty, and... love.Robert Downey Jr no less, plus a bunch of A listers. Great movie.
- 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.This is NOT the correct movie for this place in the list. The best Macbeth is not listed on IMDB. It stars Patrick Stewart in a 2010 adaption set in World War 2, and it's stunning. It was released via PBS Great Performances and BBC4 but it is hard to find. This 2015 movie is an OK substitute.
- DirectorRalph FiennesStarsRalph FiennesGerard ButlerBrian CoxA banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.Fiennes is fantastic at Shakespeare.
- DirectorJohn SichelStarsLaurence OlivierJoan PlowrightJeremy BrettShylock, a Jewish moneylender, demands his due of a pound of flesh for a forfeited loan.THIS IS THE WRONG VERSION.
The 1972 Maggie Smith BBC version is not listed on IMdB, but it's a great watch. The only "proper play" on this list, but starring Maggie smith in her youth, it's worth it just for that. - 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.
- DirectorTom StoppardStarsGary OldmanTim RothRichard DreyfussTwo minor characters from the play 'Hamlet' stumble around unaware of their scripted lives and unable to deviate from them.Hamlet side story
- DirectorAndrew FlemingStarsSteve CooganElisabeth ShueCatherine KeenerIn this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.Coogan Clutz-comedy about making a Hamlet sequel.
- DirectorBaz LuhrmannStarsLeonardo DiCaprioClaire DanesJohn LeguizamoShakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue.DiCaprio classic but I still think a more traditional take would have been a better use of his skills.
- StarsNick MalinowskiJames McAvoyShirley HendersonA modern re-telling of four William Shakespeare stories.Next is Macbeth from the shakespeare retold series (you cant list them seperately on IMDB)
- StarsNick MalinowskiJames McAvoyShirley HendersonA modern re-telling of four William Shakespeare stories.Next is Midsummer nights dream from the shakespeare retold series.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsAnsel ElgortRachel ZeglerAriana DeBoseAn adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.Romeo and Juliet adaption.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghEmma ThompsonKeanu ReevesYoung lovers, and soon to wed, Hero and Claudio conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles, Benedick and Beatrice, to wed as well.Keanu Reeves doing Shakespeare - yes please!
Out with a bang. - StarsDaniel BoyarskyMátyás TóthDániel BakiDrama documentary explaining Shakespeare's career and examining his personal and professional history. Numerous experts tell his story interspersed with dramatic vignettes showing key moments in his life.Epilogue - Now it's time to learn some stuff.