Shakespeare is rightly called the world's greatest playwright for the soaring beauty of his language, for his profound insight into human nature, for the truths he dramatized and for the realism of the characters he created. He was, and remains, a superb entertainer.
Ambrose Video
Ambrose Streaming Video
Inspired by Shakespeare
Shakespeare in Love by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 S296IPublication Date: 1998Heavily fictionalized account of Shakespeare's writing of Romeo and Juliet. Contains numerous references to and borrows plot devices from several of Shakespeare's plays.
West Side Story by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 W521sPublication Date: 1961A musical modernization of Romeo and Juliet, set in 1950s New York. Wise's film version of the Tony-winning Broadway musical won 11 Oscars.
Circulating Film Adaptations
The following DVDs are available from the library collection. Please note: depending on the semester, some of these titles may be on reserve at the Circulation Desk for use by students enrolled in ENG 311: Shakespeare
Antony and Cleopatra by Call Number: DVD 822.33 S1BPublication Date: 1974Traditional adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company
Hamlet by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 H223aabPublication Date: 1990Traditional adaptation starring Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, and Helena Bonham Carter
Hamlet by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 H223aazPublication Date: 1996Set in the 18th century, this was the first film adaptation to use the entire text of Hamlet. Four hours long, it stars Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi, Billy Crystal, and Robin Williams
Hamlet by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 H223aaPublication Date: 1948Traditional adaptation directed by and starring Laurence Olivier
Henry V by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 H521fPublication Date: 1989Traditional adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Judi Dench, and Robbie Coltrane. Won Oscar for costume design, nominated for Best Director and Leading Actor
Macbeth by Call Number: DVD 822.33 T5aPublication Date: 2019This modern adaptation set in an underground facility stars Patrick Stewart in the title role.
The Merchant of Venice by Call Number: DVD 822.33 P3BPublication Date: 2004Traditional adaptation starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 M629nPublication Date: 1968This adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company stars Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Diana Rigg, and Helen Mirren.
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Call Number: DVD 822.33 P7BPublication Date: 1996This adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company sets the play in a contemporary landscape and introduces the character of the Boy, through whose dream we view the play.
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Call Number: DVD 822.33 P7CPublication Date: 1999Set in the late 19th century, this adaptation stars Stanley Tucci, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Kevin Kline, and Christian Bale
Much Abo About Nothing by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 M942adPublication Date: 2012Modernized, black-and-white adaptation starring Nathan Fillion, Amy Acker, Clark Gregg, and Alexis Denisof
Much Ado About Nothing by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 M942ad2Publication Date: 1993Traditional adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Keanu Reeves
Othello by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 O87AAPublication Date: 1995Traditional adaptation starring Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh
Othello by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 O87aaPublication Date: 1965Filmed version of a 1964 stage production by the National Theatre of Great Britain. Stars Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith.
Content Warning: Olivier performs in blackface
Richard III by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 R511tPublication Date: 1995Adaptation set during the 1930s, starring Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, and Robert Downey Jr.
Romeo + Juliet by Call Number: DVD 822.33 U3BPublication Date: 1997Set in California, this visually striking modern adaptation stars Leonardo di Caprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, and Paul Rudd
Romeo and Juliet by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 R763aPublication Date: 1968Zeffirelli's traditional adaptation won Oscars for cinematography and costume design, and was nominated for Best Director and Best Picture
The Taming of the Shrew by Call Number: DVD 822.33 Q3BPublication Date: 1967Traditional adaptation starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
The Tempest by Call Number: DVD 791.4372 T282aaPublication Date: 2011This modern retelling stars Helen Mirren as a gender-swapped Prospero.
