Given that he is the world’s most revered author, one would safely assume Shakespeare and film go hand in hand. Shakespeare had been adapted long before the medium of film. It was first seen back when the stage was the ideal source of entertainment. Since the dawn of cinema, filmmakers have adapted almost all of Shakespeare’s works to the screen. To put things into perspective, over 420 feature length versions of Shakespeare’s plays have been filmed.
With so many movies to choose from, it is difficult to narrow down “the best.” Film is subjective and so are the plays themselves. My enthusiasm for Shakespeare is almost equivalent to my passion for movies. I know that not everyone feels the same way. From personal experience, I know many people who cannot fathom reading Shakespeare let alone watching it. The fact is that even if it is not a direct adaptation, a lot of your favorite films are based on Shakespeare in some way. Films like 10 Things I Hate About You, The Lion King, and West Side Story contain elements from Shakespeare’s works. I did not mean to come across as judgmental or as a snob in any way. I just wanted to show you how influential Shakespeare has been throughout the history of movies.
These are not the films I will be discussing in this piece. I will be focusing on adaptations of specific plays whether they are loose or faithful. I have tried my best to include as many different genres, decades, and plays as possible with only ten slots. My only guideline was to choose only one film per play and only one actor per play. I could have easily compiled this list with the works of Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles alone. My goal is to provide some starting points to try and make Shakespeare films as accessible as I can. With the upcoming release of Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender, I thought it would be appropriate to put this together.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
Released during the golden-age of Hollywood, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedic fantasy did not have a traditional production. Casting actors such as James Cagney and Mickey Rooney was considered to be rather controversial. At the time, neither actor had performed Shakespeare and would never do so again. This gamble paid off and both men deliver stellar performances. If anything, the circumstances of their casting adds to the fantastical feel of the film. The slapstick and mockery humor helps the film resonate today eighty years later.
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[tps_header]Hamlet (1948)[/tps_header]
No list about Shakespeare films is complete without a work of Olivier. Even though it is one of Shakespeare’s most frequently adapted plays, I always find myself going back to this version. Given the sheer length of the play, Olivier took some liberties with the play. Some important characters are cut out and it definitely favors atmosphere over the other adaptations. Nevertheless, it captures the nuances of what makes the play as celebrated as it is.
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[tps_header]Julius Caesar (1953)[/tps_header]
This adaptation of Shakespeare’s play falls very much in line with tradition. With that said, the film somewhat represents a turning point in how Shakespeare could be performed on screen. All three of the main actors brought different styles to their performances that meshed the classic with the contemporary. Both James Mason and John Gielgud fall into classical portrayals of their respective roles. Mason portrayed Brutus as a stoic which explains why much of his role is internalized. John Gielgud’s approach to Cassius is the opposite of Mason’s and is a much more expressive performance. As surprising as it may seem, Marlon Brando is the one who steals the movie. His performance as Marc Antony served as a transitional role to show how a certified movie star could handle the complexities of Shakespeare.
[tps_header]Throne of Blood (1957)[/tps_header]
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Akira Kurosawa’s adaptation of Macbeth fell out of line with tradition at this point. Not only did he change the setting, he changed the entire thematic context. The film serves as a critique of Post-Imperial Japan and the power hungry leaders who left destruction in the wake of their ambition. Kurosawa, one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived, brought his craft to every frame. The visual aesthetic can be both beautiful and haunting at the same time. Given the tragic nature of the play, Kurosawa does the climax justice. He leaves us with one of the greatest death scenes ever put to film.
[tps_header]Chimes at Midnight (1965)[/tps_header]
Orson Welles was never one for convention and this film proves it. Not only did he condense both parts of Henry IV, he also took elements from other plays. His portrayal of Falstaff is my favorite role in his storied career. There are several elements of this film that I could see in other films down the line notably the battle scenes. The battle scenes must have had an influence on Braveheart. It’s a difficult film to find but it’s a rewarding experience if you do manage to catch it.
[tps_header]Romeo and Juliet (1968)[/tps_header]
Yes, I am sure many of you had to watch this sometime during high school. There is a reason for that. Director Franco Zefferelli did the play justice by casting youthful leads instead of older actors. It’s in that decision where he captures the vulnerability and ultimately the tragedy of this forbidden romance. He also garnered some controversy by showing underage nudity within the movie. When it comes to this play, this is the only version that I would willingly recommend (I’m looking at YOU Baz Luhrmann).
[tps_header]Henry V (1989)[/tps_header]
Speaking of battle scenes, Kenneth Branagh’s directorial debut did not shy away from violence. Not only that, he didn’t shy away from the shadow of Olivier’s film. If anything, he managed to step out of it into the sunlight. He chose to shoot on location instead of on sets and sound stages. Unlike Olivier’s version, Branagh removed almost all of the comedic elements of the play for the sake of consistency. Given how grim the film is at points, I cannot fault this decision at all.
[tps_header]Richard III (1995)[/tps_header]
Like Throne of Blood, this adaptation inserts the play into an entirely new context. The titular character is an English Hitler like dictator set within an alternate England during the 1930s. Ian McKellen is a force of nature throughout the entire film. He was no stranger to Shakespeare and his performance is a captivating one. Because the character monologues frequently, there are a lot of inventive techniques and transitions throughout the film. Nowhere was this choice more brilliant than in the opening sequence. His first monologue goes from a speech in front of many to a soliloquy at a urinal. This is the film I recommend the most. Not only is it my personal favorite, it is a great companion piece to House of Cards. Not only are the stories similar but both leads frequently provide hindsight about their devilish plans to the audience.
[tps_header]Twelfth Night (1996)[/tps_header]
Comedies about cross-dressing can be a challenging tribulation for a filmmaker. Director Trevor Nunn’s adaptation is not an all and out farce. The comedy is very subtle and not as laugh out loud funny as you might expect. This one is one of the most accessible on this list. For you Harry Potter enthusiasts, this film gives you a rare opportunity to see Helena Bonham Carter as a hero of sorts.
[tps_header]Coriolanus (2011)[/tps_header]
Keeping on the track of Harry Potter, the last film on this list was directed by Voldemort himself, Ralph Fiennes. He also stars as the titular character, a warrior who fights for one country but is betrayed and goes to fight for his once adversary. Not only is this the most recent film on this list, it is also set in as close to modern day as any film here. The Balkan war setting works surprisingly well and Fiennes brings together an excellent cast. It is a great example of Gerard Butler’s talent when given the right material.
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