The Best Shakespeare Movies

My father just loved Liz Taylor in the movie, Taming of the Shrew

. As I remember correctly, that was my first exposure to a Shakespeare production and I fell in love with the drama, the grace, and the story. I adore the costumes and the imagination. It inspired me and stuck with me my entire life and I am so glad to have had that time between the television, my father and I.

Shakespeare has been hot in the movies for decades. The earliest of the movies made was said to be in 1911 and the Tempest was produced. There are hundreds of listings for movies, television, and the performing arts that have been adapted for the screen. Even ones that are not actual Shakespeare plays but are about he himself have been popular. Of all of his works, only a handful have been favorites among the masses, but they are stories that stick with us.

Romeo and Juliet has been remade probably the most out of any of his stories. This classic love story of star-crossed lovers who endure the torment of family warring and ultimately pay the price seems to get us right in the heart. The drama of both families fighting and hating and in the eye of the storm, there are the two lovebirds, one from each of the two families: the Capulets and the Montagues. Even the animated film, Gnomeo and Juliet was very well received and placed the essence of Shakespeare within many youngsters lives.

A favorite of mine, A Midsummer Nights Dream, has been interpreted several ways and has set the undertone of other movies such as, Dead Poets Society. This story can instill a love of theater and literature with such a tender love story in a magical setting. Puck was always my favorite of the book and I could not help but shed a tear during Dead Poets Society.

Hamlet. There are few names that command reverence than that one. I loved Mel Gibsons performance when he portrayed the very insane and quite depressed Hamlet. To make that rendition work, it had to be full of drama and some action with a little love in there somewhere to be accepted into our society when it is such an old fashioned piece. But the way it was so foreboding and dark gave it a very exaggerated and ominous feel. One that I adored.

As your children grow, dont forget to add the spice of Shakespeare into their lives so they dont hate it all through their schooling. Encourage participation in plays to gain a love for fine art. This man was one of the greatest authors our world has ever known. Perhaps you could find a way to sneak in one of his movies into your family time instead of watching other greats like the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the great Harry Potter. As wonderful as these movies are, adding the work of Shakespeare to your homelife will also teach them a thing or two of one of the best writers in history.

by: Zack Mandell

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