Bard On-screen: 11 Must-See Shakespeare Adaptations

William Shakespeare adaptations come in all shapes and sizes – classic, interpretative, Branagh – and there are so many worth appreciating beyond the Franco Zeffirelli or Baz Luhrmann versions of Romeo and Juliet. In honor of this April’s commemoration of the 400^th anniversary of the Bard’s death, here are some of the best, most interesting, or lesser known films worth checking out.

COMEDIES

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This entertaining romance walks the thin line between adored and overdone. If you are looking to feel inspiration anew, try the 1968 Peter Hall version. Featuring a cast that actually feels out of a dream, with Ian Holm as Puck, Helen Mirren and Diana Rigg as the original “frenemies” Hermia and Helena, and Judi Dench as Titania, the film oozes enough talent and sexiness to make you forgive the poor quality of an old picture on an HD screen.

Much Ado About Nothing
Few things beat watching then-married Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh verbally spar as Beatrice and Benedick in this charming 1993 film. Just cheeky enough for what is basically the original version of a Seinfeld episode – a group of people talking a lot, getting all in a fuss over absolutely nothing – it is definitely one of the most approachable Shakespeare films. Yes, you do have to suffer through Keanu Reeves speaking in verse, but really, that’s part of the fun.

The Taming of the Shrew
Shakespeare comedies and 1990s teen movies share a lot of qualities – things happen quickly, people plot for mere amusement, and there is typically a dance number where everyone inexplicably knows the same steps – so merging the two was inevitable. “10 Things I Hate About You” exhibits an awareness of the cheesier and over-the-top aspects of Shrew while maintaining the earnestness of an angry girl dealing with the loss of her mother, an overprotective father, and a sibling with whom she doesn’t click. The writing helps keep the adaptation fun, yet grounded. Besides the joy of early performances by talents like Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Allison Janney, the film proves that Shakespeare is always relevant – and inspires a killer soundtrack to boot.

HISTORIES

Richard II, Henry IV Part I, Henry IV Part II, Henry V
British television miniseries “The Hollow Crown” links these texts as they are intended, while Ben Whishaw’s, Jeremy Irons’s, and Tom Hiddleston’s varied performances allow for the audience to ponder the differences between kings, and what it takes to be a ruler. Check it out before the second cycle in the series, “The War of Roses” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Sophie Okonedo, and Andrew Scott, is released this month.

TRAGEDIES

Othello
The 1995 Oliver Parker film is a cut version, but its contrast between Laurence Fishburne’s intensity and Kenneth Branagh’s two-faced, almost comedic, fourth-wall-breaking Iago, linked with an emphasis on sex and desire, is captivating. Amazingly, it was not until this adaptation that a black actor portrayed the Moor in a major film. The only Shakespeare movie Branagh starred in without directing, it gives the audience the chance to appreciate his performance without feeling like the actor is patting himself on the back the entire time.

King Lear
If you have tired of seeing the tragedy in its original form, here is a suggestion for something a bit out-of-the-box. The 1997 film “A Thousand Acres,” based on Jane Smiley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, Iowa-set novel, does not boast a brilliant script, overuses voiceover, and misses out on an opportunity to look further into dealing with a parent suffering from dementia. However, there are intriguing reasons to give it a watch. Spinning the tale to focus on and in many ways vindicate the elder sisters – played by powerhouses Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer – it is an interesting study in how a Shakespeare play can provide a base for a modern story about women and families. You also get to hear Colin Firth try an American accent, and catch quick glimpses of young Michelle Williams and Elisabeth Moss. If you aren’t thrilled by the concept of sitting through a less than stellar script, picture these actors as you sit down to read the book.

Macbeth
Multiple critics drew parallels between the bloody 1971 adaptation of the Scottish play, directed by Roman Polanski, and Polanski’s recent loss of his young wife, Sharon Tate. With this context in mind, along with youthful actors in the lead roles, altered characters and ending, this somewhat inconsistent film is still a fiercely notable attempt at one of Shakespeare’s best works.

Hamlet
Olivier. Branagh. Gibson. Hawke. The choices. Franco Zeffirelli, inspired to cast Mel Gibson after his performance in “Lethal Weapon,” achieves in his 1990 adaptation a tortured-action-hero version of Hamlet that is very accessible. Branagh’s 1996 edition (with no dearth of famous cameos) features a stunning portrayal of Ophelia by Kate Winslet. Or try something completely different: Most are familiar with Akira Kurosawa’s amazing adaptations “Ran” and “Throne of Blood,” but somewhat less-known is “The Bad Sleep Well,” a corporate film-noir rendering of what’s rotten in Denmark.

Coriolanus
A modern war drama done in the original text, the biggest flaw in this 2011 film adaptation by Ralph Fiennes is that the play itself can be a bit confusing. That said, Fiennes’s directorial debut (starring himself and Gerard Butler) is packed with stunning shots and a scene-stealing performance by Vanessa Redgrave. It also brings an often-forgot piece from the Bard’s collection to the screen in an interpretative and stirring way.

Beyond this list there are countless other plays and films to view and discuss, which is the greatest point to celebrate; 400 years later Shakespeare lives on in his continuously reimagined work. After all, the playwright’s the thing.