Shakespeare Retold DVD, 2005

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MovieMail's Review

Modernisation seldom suits classical literature, yet the BBC, having enjoyed success with its ‘Canterbury Tales’ adaptations, have reworked four Shakespeare plays to highly entertaining and imaginative effect. Macbeth is reset in a Michelin-starred restaurant kitchen, with James McAvoy cast as the titular villain, here an ambitious (and murderous) head chef. Enacting the drama in a kitchen is more than just a gimmick: the hierarchal structure of the restaurant intensifies Macbeth's claustrophobic paranoia, and the bloody hallucinations are deeply unsettling.
The Taming Of The Shrew boasts a barnstorming performance from Shirley Henderson as Katherine, here a ball-breaking politician paired with a cross-dressing aristocrat, played with relish by Rufus Sewell. The misogyny of Shakespeare's original is played down in the surprisingly touching ending of this highly enjoyable battle of the sexes.
Also included are Much Ado About Nothing, with a strong performance from Billie Piper as Hero, here a weathergirl (though it is Beatrice who gets the best line: "You really do put the "w" into "anchorman") and A Midsummer Night's Dream with Johnny Vegas on scene-stealing form as (who else?) Bottom. All in all, a surprisingly successful project.

Anon on 20th December 2005
View all 95 of Anon's reviews

Film Information

Director - Various (TV)

Produced - 2005

Main Language - ENGLISH

Countries & Regions - British Film

Cast - Shirley Henderson, Stephen Tompkinson, Rufus Sewell, Imelda Staunton, James McAvoy, Billie Piper

DVD Details

Certificate:	12	Publisher:	Acorn Media	Region:	2
Length:	320 mins	Cat No:	AV9348
Format:	DVD Colour

DVD Extras

Cast interviews and filmographies
Shakespeare biography
Shakespeare on Film
Picture gallery.

Film Description

Four modern interpretations of Shakespeare's plays that remain true to the spirit of the originals. Features Much Ado About Nothing, set in a regional TV news programme, Macbeth, set in a top restaurant kitchen, Taming of the Shrew, in which Kate is Britain's youngest MP who decides she needs to get married in order to soften her image, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, set on a weekend in a holiday park.