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A specially selected folio of Shakespeare adaptations exclusively for BFI Player subscribers.
From Kurosawa's classics to acclaimed productions from the RSC, here are some key works in the history of Shakespeare on film. Scholarly subscribers can rewatch to their hearts desire; the uninitiated can journey to the “undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.”
Belle de Jour Belle de Jour
Drama 1967 100 mins Director: Luis Buñuel
Luis Buñuel's provocative classic about a bored and neglected housewife (Catherine Deneuve) risks her reputation to take up a daring new hobby.
For Love's Sake For Love's Sake
Musical 2012 134 mins Director: Takashi Miike
Takashi Miike's awesome riff on Romeo and Juliet, done as a pop musical stuffed with golden oldies from the 60s.
Julius Caesar Julius Caesar
Drama 2012 151 mins Director: Gregory Doran
Gregory’s Doran’s innovative Shakespeare interpretation transplants the action to post-independence Africa.
Ran Ran
Drama 1985 154 mins Director: Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa’s visually spectacular epic transplants Shakespeare’s King Lear from Celtic Britain to feudal Japan.
Throne of Blood Throne of Blood
Drama 1957 110 mins Director: Akira Kurosawa
A master of period-drama, Kurosawa (Rashomon, Seven Samurai) recasts Macbeth as a Japanese warlord in one of the greatest Shakespearean adaptations
The Bad Sleep Well The Bad Sleep Well
Crime 1960 151 mins Director: Akira Kurosawa
The first film made by Akira Kurosawa's own production company is a dark tale of greed, corporate corruption and revenge.
Henry V Henry V
Historical drama 1944 131 mins Director: Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier rouses an all-star cast and an imperiled nation with his magnificent adaptation of Shakespeare's warrior monarch.
Hamlet Hamlet
Drama 1948 153 mins Director: Laurence Olivier
The first British film to win the Best Picture Oscar remains one of the strongest examples of Shakespeare on film.
Time Flies Time Flies
Comedy 1944 88 mins Director: Walter Forde
Fast-talking funny man Tommy Handley visits Elizabethan England - and ends up teaching Good Queen Bess con tricks - in this snappy time-travel comedy.
Macbeth Macbeth
Drama 2001 128 mins Director: Gregory Doran
Antony Sher stars in the Gregory Doran’s acclaimed RSC production, lauded as the finest adaptation of the Scottish play for over a quarter of a century.
More Shakespeare on Film in our Free collection.
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