 1. Romeo & Juliet directed by Franco ZeffirelliA pure, lush and romantic version with excellent swordplay. Stuffed to the gills with beautiful people and sumptuous fabric. |
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 2. Hamlet directed by Franco ZeffirelliThe play can run four hours; this version is a tight 130 minutes. Good acting, well-shot…and hey, Mel Gibson is a movie star who can handle Shakespeare. |
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 3. Much Ado About Nothing directed by Kenneth Branagh An excellent example of how the intimacy of film enhances beautiful, whispered language. The Benedict/Beatrice scenes acted by Branagh and Emma Thompson (pre-divorce) are yummy. |
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 4. The Taming of the Shrew directed by Jonathan MillerThis may be difficult to find but so worth it for the ending. Miller’s take on the controversial “taming” of Kate is a perfect turn…and hey, John Cleese is a crazy Monty Python who can handle Shakespeare.
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 5. Shakespeare in Love directed by John MaddenOf course, this film is not a Shakespearean play, but a fun fantasy of the Bard’s life as a struggling playwright in London. It’s mucky, exuberant and filled with all the backstabbing true of modern Hollywood. |
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 6. West Side Story (Full Screen Edition) directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins I can watch this musical version of “Romeo and Juliet” over and over. There are so many reasons it won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 1961. I love the choreography, the score and the cast. And because the film was shot on location, we get a time capsule of New York City as it really existed. |
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I wrote about m
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I LOVE Baz Luhrmann‘s version of Romeo and Juliet set in Verona Beach, Florida. This version is so awesome. I have taught teen-age mothers with lovers in jail. I now have a boy who feels the pressure to join a gang in his neighborhood. I need to see this movie again. Love the soundtrack. Reminds me of what it was like to be 15yo.
I’m with you! I loved Zefferelli’s Romeo and Juliet when it came out, but when my son was a young teenager and I tried to show it to him he couldn’t get past the first 10 minutes…”BORING!” He said I should watch Baz Luhrmann’s version. I did and loved it! Now I love both of them for very different reasons.
I loved ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ as well as another Branagh film, ‘Henry V’. Both did the best things possible: inspire me to read the play.
Kenneth Branagh also did a full 4 hour and 20 minute version of Hamlet. Having read and seen this story numerous times, I have to say that it is the BEST…Finally got everything the Bard was trying to say. Have patience, it is really worth your time.
PS…I also really liked to “up to date” version of Romeo and Juliet from a few years ago. Feel it opened up Shakespeare’s work to a whole new generation.
Yes, he did an uncut version and, as laudable as that is, I think the play needs cutting. But I liked the acting and production values.
Very much in agreement with your choices — but — I have to vote for the Hamlet with Mel Gibson — as my son Christopher De Vore wrote the screenplay and — had the most wonderful adventure of living in Positano Italy with Zefferelli while writing it.
Of course I’ve seen the film 6 times and puff up with pride and pleasure at the ‘brilliance’ of my dear Christopher. He also wrote ‘Elephant Man’ and ‘Frances’.
Have never really been impressed with Branagh — appears to me as a spoiled child in a man’s body — all ‘talk and trousers’ as the Brits are wont to say.
Agree with Merry Woman — Midsummer’s etc. — Judi Dench and all — it just does not get any better when she’s in anything!!! And of course Helen Mirren.
When Christopher was with Zefferelli and family was with me in Brighton – we took several day trips to Avon and thereabout. The ‘musts’ in England are very clearly marked.
I (mostly) agree with your choices… but would add A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968–NOT the version from just a few years back!). If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth finding and watching. It was the first Shakespeare play I ever saw (on PBS, I believe), and I was hooked! Diana Rigg, Judi Dench (as Titania), Ian Richardson… etc… WONDERFUL cast, wonderful production.
PS–How could I forget HELEN MIRREN! She was in it, too.