Shakespeare is nothing if not a crackingly good storyteller. That he stole most of his plot lines is neither here nor there, just don’t ask Holinshed what he thought about that.
Moving the focus of the plays from the action to the mind (whilst keeping the action alive and well), Shakespeare was all about characterisation - but what comes around goes around and here are a few examples of movies inspired by the Bard. For those of you not wanting to read the play (shame on you GCSEers) to those searching for inspiration for the Extended Essay - here is a list just for you. in some semblance of an order.
1. Romeo and Juliet
Romeo + Juliet (1996): Directed by Baz Luhrmann, this modern adaptation stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. It keeps the original dialogue but you stop noticing with the quick pace and modern infection and sets the story in a contemporary urban backdrop. What it does really well is move the play away from the love story and back to the gang violence of the original - it really is a remarkably violent play, which the Elizabethans loved... Back in the day (the early 2000 not 1600s kids up and down the country LOVED it - it was every Lit teacher's dream - a quiet and engaged class for 3 lessons straight! Guns not swords - who knew that was all it took?
West Side Story (1961 & 2021): This musical film transposes the story to New York City with rival street gangs. The original 1961 version is a classic, don’t even bother with Steven Spielberg's 2021 shot for shot remake (why bother). Look out for the least hard gang members in the form of the local ballet boys of New York. And out for Leonard Bernstein’s score - the music is a thing of beauty - but complicated, which is why schools don’t really stage it.
2. Hamlet
The Lion King (1994): This beloved Disney animated film draws heavily from Hamlet, with the story of Simba echoing the themes of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. It does, however, miss the entire point of the existential dread of death and central question of what are we doing here? Controversially I couldn’t stand it. I just about made it through the West End production but that was more to do with those INCREDIBLE costumes thanks be to Julie Taymor.
As one of my favourite of all his plays this is a travesty - but I will save my overview of a range of the Hamlet productions through time - my gift to the OCR A Level students amongst you!
3. Macbeth
Throne of Blood (1957): Akira Kurosawa’s adaptation transposes Macbeth to feudal Japan, blending samurai culture with the story’s dark themes - pretty gory, but then this is a play that starts with regicide and ends with regicide, but one is evil and the other is for good!
ShakespeaRe-Told (2005): This is a great series - and this Macbeth is a stand out adaptation. Set in a hellish Scottish kitchen James McAvoy and Keeley Hawes embody the Macbeths with modern, murderous intent. The overreaching ambition of the court is neatly and seamlessly transposed to the hierarchy of the Michelin-star kitchen. Know your place is Shakespeare’s central message - something McAvoy should have headed. And the 3 binmen - genius.
4. Othello
O (2001): A modern retelling set in a high school, starring Mekhi Phifer and Julia Stiles, that explores the themes of envy and manipulation. I haven’t watched it. I don’t want to.
5. The Taming of the Shrew
10 Things I Hate About You (1999): A modern teen comedy starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, set in an American high school. Friends tell me it’s good. I believe them.
6. Richard III
Looking for Richard (1996): Al Pacino’s documentary-style exploration of Shakespeare’s original, blending rehearsal footage, interviews, and performances. Not strictly an adaptation, but an insight none-the-less.
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