Will Shakespeare: The Complete Series DVD, 1978

aka Life of Shakespeare

£9.99

RRP: £19.99
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In Stock - should be despatched within 24 hours. Despatched from the UK. Delivery timesUsually 2-3 days to reach UK addresses. Europe takes around 2 days longer and International destinations take 1-2 weeks

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Costs to other countriesWestern Europe: £3.00
Rest of the world: £4.50

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MovieMail's Review

Penned by John Mortimer, this 1978 mini-series takes what little is known about Shakespeare the man and weaves it into an witty, literary exploration of the drama and politics of the Elizabethan era. With impressive sets and staging, this acclaimed drama emphasises the dirt, dung and plague-ridden bustle of 16th century life, rather than the ruffs and the hey nonny nonny.

Each episode is based around a single play, where personal drama, period politics, and happenstance combine to sow the seeds of inspiration. Tim Curry makes a cocky, credible Bard, sensitively portraying Shakespeare as a bold young rooster and, later on, as the troubled playwright caught up in rebellion and intrigue.

The supporting cast, which features Ian McShane as Christopher Marlowe and Nicholas Clay as The Earl of Southampton, is superlative. Mortimer sought to capture the soul of the young playwright and the drama of his times, and this elegant and engaging period piece is erudite, but never didactic.

Anne Baxter on 4th May 2009
View all 4 of Anne Baxter's reviews

Film Information

Director - Robert Knights, Mark Cullingham, Peter Wood

Produced - 1978

Main Language - English

Countries & Regions - British Film

Cast - Tim Curry, Andre Morell, Ron Cook, Ian McShane

DVD Details

Certificate:	PG	Publisher:	Network	Region:	2
Length:	300 mins	Aspect:	4:3	Cat No:	7952995
Format:	DVD Colour

DVD Extras

2 discs
Gallery

Film Description

Written by Rumpole of the Bailey creator John Mortimer, this six-part television dramatisation is based on the sixteen years that William Shakespeare is known to have spent in London, and remains one of the most impressive biographical portraits to date. With each episode built around the creation of a single play, a skilful interweaving of known events and contemporary interpretation show how key experiences may have inspired some of Shakespeare’s greatest works - the death of his young son, and his love for the famous ‘dark lady’ of the sonnets, for example. The bustling taverns and theatres of Elizabethan London are lavishly recreated, while Shakespeare himself is played with tremendous sensitivity and breadth by Tim Curry.

Originally screened in 1978, Will Shakespeare is a brilliantly imagined portrait, in which the flaws and frailties as well as the immense strengths of one of the world’s greatest dramatists are brought vividly to life.