April 23 marks the start of the World Shakespeare Festival, a celebration of Britain’s most famous playwright and arguably its greatest cultural export. The festival covers almost 70 productions from theatre companies around the world, as well as events and exhibitions across the UK.
But if the thought of sitting in a dark theatre all evening makes you yawn, we’ve drawn up a list of our top five Shakespeare adaptations on film. Simply follow our guide below and soon you’ll be able to wow friends with your knowledge of the bard without having left the comfort of your sofa.
1. The Taming of the Shrew
Film to watch: Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)
Plot in a nutshell: If Shakespeare was working in Hollywood today he would be as comfortable writing rom-coms as political thrillers. This is one of his many comedies, in which arrogant nobleman Petruchio tries to tempt the headstrong Katherina into a relationship by ‘taming’ her with a pretty harsh regime of reverse psychology.
The general theme – that husbands should be obedient to their wives – may be a tad un-feminist for today’s tastes, but that didn’t stop a mellower high-school adaption with Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles from becoming a box office hit.
Quote to remember: “There’s small choice in rotten apples.”
Image from Getty
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2. Hamlet
Film to watch: The Lion King (1994)
Plot in a nutshell: Danish prince Hamlet already acts like your average moody teenager, but he really starts to go off the rails when he suspects his cunning uncle has poisoned his father to marry his mother and take the throne.
Swap Hamlet for a talking lion cub Simba and Denmark for the African savannah and you’ve got yourself the storyline for an animated Disney classic.
Quote to remember: “To be or not to be: that is the question.”
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3. The Tempest
Film to watch: Forbidden Planet (1956)
Plot in nutshell: The magician Prospero is stranded on a remote island with his daughter Miranda, who he plots to return to her rightful place as ruler of Milan. They share the island with the ethereal spirit Ariel and the deformed Caliban, until Prospero’s scheming brother Antonio arrives. The various islanders then plot against each other, aided by Prospero’s magic spells.
If that all sounds bit confusing, then cult 1950s sci-fi film Forbidden Planet moves the action to outer space and throws in a comical robot and an alien monster for good measure, while staying faithful to the themes of the original.
Quote to remember: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”
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4. Othello
Film to watch: O (2001)
Plot in a nutshell: Othello is the definition of a high flyer. Despite being the only black man in Venice, he has risen through the Venetian army to become a high-ranking general, and even pulled off a secret marriage to the daughter of an influential senator. Yet his scheming aide Iago plots to turn Othello’s pride against him and ruin his career.
The 2001 film is the second adaptation in our list to be set in a high school, and again features Julia Stiles (maybe she’s a big fan of Elizabethan theatre?). Luckily, this tale of envy, suspicion and revenge works just as well as a clash between jocks on the high school basket team.
Quote to remember: “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve.”
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5. Romeo and Juliet
Film to watch: Romeo + Juliet (1996)
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Plot in a nutshell: The classic story of boy meets girl, boy and girl’s families are life-long enemies, boy and girl elope together but end up committing suicide because of some poor inter-couple communication.
The 1996 film is one of the most successful Shakespeare adaptations ever committed to celluloid. While Director Baz Lurman moves the action from sixteenth century Verona (Italy) to present day Verona Beach (Florida), he retains the original dialogue. Luckily Lurman’s colour-saturated visuals and an incredible soundtrack mean you won’t even notice that everyone is speaking in verse.
Quotes to remember: “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
5. Romeo and Juliet
Film to watch: Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Plot in a nutshell: The classic story of boy meets girl, boy and girl’s families are life-long enemies, boy and girl elope together but end up committing suicide because of some poor inter-couple communication.
The 1996 film is one of the most successful Shakespeare adaptations ever committed to celluloid. While Director Baz Lurman moves the action from sixteenth century Verona (Italy) to present day Verona Beach (Florida), he retains the original dialogue. Luckily Lurman’s colour-saturated visuals and an incredible soundtrack mean you won’t even notice that everyone is speaking in verse.
Quotes to remember: “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
