Michelle in MO Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 We're almost at the end of our Omnibus II studies, and we'll be doing A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry V, and Richard III. I know what to use for Henry V, of course, for a film version, but could use recommendations for the other two. Are there any good film version? If so, what year/actors/actresses? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Here are two of Midsummer Night's Dream. Helen Mirren & Peter McEnery are in the first and Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart, and Rupert Everett are in the second. I like both but you may want to preview for your family's taste. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shakespeare_Comedies_A_Midsummer_Night_s_Dream/70015615?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1405113280_5_0 http://www.netflix.com/Movie/A_Midsummer_Night_s_Dream/22006172?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1405113280_0_0 This Ian McKellen version is wonderful but not traditional. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Richard_III/26587474?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=597173144_0_0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 of Netflix, but I'll check our local Blockbuster. Barnes & Noble online showed A Midsummer Night's Dream in a number of different versions, and showed only one version (Laurence Olivier) in Richard III. Thanks for your help! I may have to join Netflix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpupg Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Are there any good film version? If so, what year/actors/actresses? DH and I love Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V," though the battle scene is quite gory. We also liked Ian McKellan's "Richard III," though it's set in a WWII-like setting -- nothing like that famous line "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse" when Richard's jeep won't go LOL. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 I normally like Ian McKellen, but it sounded like the staging of his Richard III was unusual. I may have to go for the Olivier boxed set; besides, it would be nice to compare his Henry V to Branagh's. If I get the boxed set, I'll be getting two out of the three versions. I also normally really like Judy Dench, because she's such a fine actress, but I too would have problems with extended frontal nudity! Really---is that necessary? I may try to rent the Pfeiffer version, mostly because I think our local video store may carry it, but I may actually try to purchase the Midsummer Night's Dream version with Helen Mirren. It sounds like your husband bought you a wonderful birthday gift in getting you that entire BBC Shakespeare collection! What a great idea! My birthday's not for a while, though. :rolleyes: Thank you for such a complete reply, plus the links are wonderful! I'll look everything up---this is a tremendous help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moira in MA Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Lots of good suggestions here. But wanted to add that there is a silent version of Richard III. It is really funny to watch. Our votes go to: BBC Richard III, Branagh's Henry V and the Michelle Pfeiffer version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Since we've seen Richard III multiple times, we're watching Al Pacino's Looking for Richard. And of course, the girls are in A Midsummer Night's Dream this year so they're really experiencing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I vote McKellen version of Richard III, Pfeiffer version of Midsummer and Branagh version of Henry V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 I will take your suggestion of Ebay for the Olivier set, too, although I might check on Amazon. Sometimes they sell used versions for decent prices. For me, the sets wouldn't have to be new. I would just like to wrap up these three Shakespeare plays with a film version of each. Also, I may check the theater schedule in St. Louis. Every year they have "Shakespeare in the Park" and sometimes those productions are supposed to be quite good. Thanks again---and a blessed Sabbath to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Michelle, I know that you are looking for movies, but today at the library I saw an audio production of Richard III starring Kenneth Branagh and Geraldine McEwan. If you are unsure of a movie version that you wish to share with your girls, this may provide an alternate choice. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Jane, I'll check out the Branagh version of Richard III. I only looked the titles up on Amazon and these were the ones I came up with. It looks like it's an audiobook, which is interesting. I hadn't thought of that---I only searched under DVD's! Eliana, thank you for the thorough review! It sounds like it may not be the best choice to watch. If I remember correctly, you also said there was one with Helen Mirren in it that you thought was good. I may try to buy one from Amazon. I did borrow the movie from our local Blockbuster (the Midsummer Night's Dream with Michele Pfeiffer) but haven't watched it yet. I may try to pre-watch a few scenes myself. Sometimes if there are just a couple of isolated scenes that display too much nudity and s*x, I have the girls close their eyes. But, that might be harder if it's displayed throughout the whole movie. I'm glad I didn't go ahead and buy anything yet! Thanks again for pre-watching this for me! Thanks, Jane, for the link to the other production of Richard III! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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