Best Shakespeare Film Productions
This is the definitive list/guide containing the 20 best film versions of Shakespearean plays for those looking for good, quality productions of the Immortal Bard's works. This list does not include all or even most Shakespeare films but only the very best of the best. Furthermore, my attempt will be (on the whole) to include just the one best film for each play. This will include actual films as well as some filmed stage productions. I am NOT including films that are merely based on Shakespeare's works (e.g., Westside Story, Throne of Blood, etc.) but only ones that follow the script the Bard himself wrote. However, I do include some that don't have the same title as Shakespeare's play but still follow the same words (e.g., the "Hollow Crown" TV show is a television production of Shakespeare's history plays).
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- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghDerek JacobiSimon ShepherdIn the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.One of the best films ever made! An unbelievable adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry V."
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsLeonard WhitingOlivia HusseyJohn McEneryWhen two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.An sublimely beautiful production of Shakespeare's tragedy of star-crossed lovers. The music, acting, sets, and cinematography are breath-taking.
- DirectorTrevor NunnStarsIan McKellenWilliam GauntPhilip WinchesterSir Ian McKellen gives a tour-de-force performance as Shakespeare's tragic monarch, in this special television adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company production of one of the playwright's most enduring and haunting works.An amazing performance of Shakespeare's tragedy with Ian McKellen playing the title role. One of the best versions of a Shakespearean play that I have ever seen.
- DirectorMichael RadfordStarsAl PacinoJoseph FiennesLynn CollinsIn 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.A splendid rendering of what is perhaps Shakespeare's most controversial plays by today's standards. The film is beautifully filmed and almost flawless.
- DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsLouis CalhernMarlon BrandoJames MasonThe growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.A great, classic film version of Shakespeare's tragedy with an all-star cast.
- DirectorOliver ParkerStarsLaurence FishburneKenneth BranaghIrène JacobThe Moorish General Othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his Lieutenant Michael Cassio, when in reality, it is all part of the scheme of a bitter Ensign named Iago.This film's only fault is how abridged it is from Shakespeare's text, but it is one of the best Shakespeare movies ever made.
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsJohn LauriePrince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.Laurence Olivier's masterpiece of both cinema and scholarship, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1948.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghJulie ChristieDerek JacobiHamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother remarrying the murderer, his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.This is one of the few repeats, but I had to include this also since it is the only unabridged "Hamlet" movie ever made. I wish someone would make an unabridged, quality film of all of Shakespeare's plays the way Branagh did with this version of "Hamlet."
- DirectorRichard EyreStarsAlun ArmstrongJoe ArmstrongJohn Ashton1403: Henry IV finds himself facing uprisings from the Welsh chieftain Owen Glendower and impetuous young Harry "Hotspur" Percy, son of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, angry with the king for not paying Glendower ransom for his brother-in-law Mortimer. Another trial for Henry is the fact that his son, Prince Hal, keeps company with the older, reprobate drunkard Sir John Falstaff. Though the prince is his friend he is not above playing cruel jests on Falstaff, robbing him in disguise and returning his money after Falstaff has given an exaggerated account of his bravery in the hold-up. However, Hal joins his father at the wintry battle of Shrewsbury to put down Hotspur's revolt, where Hal kills Hotspur in single combat - Falstaff later claiming credit for the deed. Hotspur is routed but Henry and Hal still have to face the uprisings of Glendower and Nortumberland, now joined by the archbishop of York.This excellent performance of "Henry IV, Part 1" is the second episode of the "Hollow Crown" television series, which is a television show performing all eight of Shakespeare's history plays in his two tetralogies.
- DirectorRichard EyreStarsAlun ArmstrongWill AttenboroughConrad AsquithNorthumberland swears revenge for his son's death and gathers his allies to fight the ailing king. Meanwhile, the Lord Chief Justice having rebuked Falstaff for being a bad influence on Hal, charges him to recruit an army on Henry's behalf. After brawling with the truculent Pistol, Falstaff prepares to leave his lover, Doll Tearsheet, criticizing Hal to her, unaware that the prince is eaves-dropping. Falstaff assembles a motley crew from Justice Shallow but Henry's cousin Westmoreland arrests the rebel leaders after duping them into a truce. Hal, assuming his father is dead, dons the crown and is berated by the dying king but they reconcile as Henry's last gesture is to crown his son. Hal accedes to the throne as Henry V but, now aware he must put frivolity aside, banishes Falstaff as his first act as ruler.This performance of "Henry IV, Part 2" is the third episode of the "Hollow Crown" television show. The two "Henry IV" plays are the absolute best part of the entire series, and they star Jeremy Irons as King Henry IV and Tom Hiddleston as Prince Hal. It doesn't get much better than this.
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesJeanne MoreauMargaret RutherfordWhen King Henry IV ascends to the throne, his heir, the Prince of Wales, is befriended by Sir John Falstaff, an old, overweight, fun-loving habitual liar. Through Falstaff's eyes we see the reign of King Henry IV and the rise of Henry V.This is a combination of all the scenes from Shakespeare's plays including Falstaff which spans from "Henry IV," Parts 1 and 2 as well as scenes from the "Merry Wives of Windsor."
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierCedric HardwickeNicholas HannenShakespeare's powerful tale of the wicked deformed King and his conquests, both on the battlefield and in the boudoir.Laurence Olivier's masterpiece performance of "Richard III" where he directs, produces, and stars in the title role. It also includes some lines and scenes from the preceding play "Henry VI, Part III" in order to provide textual and historical background at the beginning of the film.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJon FinchFrancesca AnnisMartin ShawA ruthlessly ambitious Scottish lord seizes the throne with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of witches.A visceral and powerful version of Shakespeare's infamous Scottish Play. This cinematic feat brings the Bard's play to life in an amazing way. That being said, it is extremely violent and not recommended for sensitive viewers.
- DirectorTrevor NunnStarsHelena Bonham CarterRichard E. GrantImogen StubbsShakespeare's comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.A delightful and funny production of one of Shakespeare's most sublime comedies.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghEmma ThompsonKeanu ReevesYoung lovers, and soon to wed, Hero and Claudio conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles, Benedick and Beatrice, to wed as well.A very well-made film of Shakespeare's comedies even if some of the actors cast in it are odd choices.
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonCyril CusackBrutish, fortune-hunting scoundrel Petruchio tames his wealthy, shrewish wife, Katharina.A great classic starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor at the height of their career.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleMax ReinhardtStarsJames CagneyDick PowellIan HunterTwo couples and a troupe of actors have an encounter with some mischievous fairies in the forest.This is one of the oldest Shakespeare films ever made. This version of Shakespeare's pastoral comedy features an all-star cast from the best actors of the 1930's, and it includes unbelievable special effects considering the time it was released.
- 1978–19852h 31mTV-147.1 (356)TV EpisodeDirectorBasil ColemanStarsHelen MirrenBrian StirnerRichard PascoAfter the overthrowing of Duke Senior by his tyrannical brother, Senior's daughter Rosalind disguises herself as a man and sets out to find her banished father while also counseling her clumsy suitor Orlando in the art of wooing.This has a very good cast and is a lovely performance overall. A lot of the BBC productions from the 70s and 80s are not good, but this one is probably their best.
- DirectorJames Cellan JonesStarsCyril CusackCharles GrayNicolas ChagrinAegeon of Syracuse has come to Ephesus to seek his son, who went in search of his missing twin and mother months ago. Unfortunately, Ephesus has just declared war on Syracuse, and will instantly put to death any Syracusean found within their borders unless a ransom's paid. Meanwhile, the son, Antipholus, and his servant, Dromio (also an identical twin), keep running into strangers who seem to know them...Another one of the BBC Shakespeare episodes. This production of Shakespeare's farcical comedy is one of the best Shakespeare performances ever captured on film.
- DirectorJohn GorrieStarsMichael HordernDerek GodfreyDavid WallerExiled Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives.This is the only one on this list that I must say is merely good but not excellent. I wanted to recommend at least one film version for all of Shakespeare's major plays, so I have included this as the best available production to date. The best recorded version of "The Tempest" that I know of is the Naxos audio version from 2004 with Sir Ian McKellen as Prospero and Emilia Fox as Miranda. That is the one I would recommend if you wish to experience the play. However, that is merely an audio recording, not a film.
- DirectorRichard BurtonNevill CoghillStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonAndreas TeuberA man sells his soul to the devil in order to have the woman he loves.This is a bonus, and I am well aware this was not written by Shakespeare. However, this tragedy from Christopher Marlowe is perhaps the greatest English tragedy in the Elizabethan era of those NOT written by Shakespeare. This production, furthermore, is so unbelievably good that it seemed appropriate to include it at the end of this list.