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Language
English
Description
Influenced and educated by her parents, Frankenstein’s author, Mary Shelley, grew up in a world of radical artists and writers. Her immortal novel explores various themes of early-19th-century Romanticism. This clip looks at Mary Shelley’s background and major influences on her thinking and writing, giving students of English literature a broader understanding of the nature and significance of this notable work.
Language
English
Description
'The Tempest', not only Shakespeare’s final play, also his shortest, unfolds before the audience in real time. This video explores a range of dramatic techniques employed, including its structure based around the three unities, exposition, Caliban’s surprising use of verse, soliloquy, Prospero’s frequent asides – even early versions of special effects. An outstanding resource for middle to senior level students of English and Literature.
3) Othello
Language
English
Description
Ian McKellen gives an awe-inspiring portrayal of Iago in this unique production of Shakespeare's Othello. McKellen, opera singer Willard White in the title role, and the rest of the cast have all been cited for their sterling performances. Based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage performance in Stratford, the film was presented by the BBC. The quality of this production reveals why director Trevor Nunn, the theatre phenomenon whose resume includes...
Language
English
Description
This special production of the play was produced to celebrate the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 40th anniversary. Director Richard Monette has set the play in the time of Mussolini, giving added pathos to the senseless hatred between the Montagues and the Capulets. Megan Porter Follows, known worldwide for her starring role in Anne of Green Gables, gives a stellar performance as Juliet. The production is produced and directed by Emmy Award-winner...
Language
English
Description
The power of Shakespeare’s plays still makes them among the most attended theatre events in the English-speaking world. The plays also continue to attract high quality actors in all phases of their careers. What is the allure of a Shakespeare play? Why are the plays still so popular and why do actors still want to work on classical texts?
Language
English
Description
Jonathan Dimbleby places Shakespeare in perspective with a personal view of the play he describes as a "chillingly precise metaphor about power and politicians." The program includes extracts of BBC Drama productions of Julius Caesar as well as clips of British political leaders including Thatcher, Callaghan and Foot.
Language
English
Description
Wolf Mankowitz gives a personal view of The Merchant of Venice which, "more than any other in the English language, established the image of the Jew." He talks about his personal reaction to the play, being Jewish himself, and the effect the play had on the image of the Jew.
Language
English
Description
Reason and judgement prove no match for the tsunami of mutual passion engulfing Mark Antony, one of the three joint rulers of the Roman republic, and Cleopatra, the seductive queen of Egypt. Surrendering everything to their desires, they open the floodgates to a civil conflict that will shake the very foundations of their world. An HD film based on the Stratford Festival’s 2014 production of Antony and Cleopatra.
Language
English
Description
An aging monarch resolves to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, with consequences he little expects. His reason shattered in the storm of violent emotion that ensues, with his very life hanging in the balance, Lear loses everything that has defined him as a king – and thereby discovers the essence of his own humanity. An HD film based on the Stratford Festival’s 2014 production of King Lear.
Language
English
Description
War is the inevitable result when the King of France demands that John relinquish his crown in favour of his nephew, the young Prince Arthur. Excommunication, attempted atrocity, rebellion and assassination all contribute to a political and personal turmoil that finds devastating expression in an anguished mother’s grief for her son. An HD film based on the Stratford Festival’s 2014 production of King John.