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Colin Blakeley and Jane Lapotaire star as two of the most famous lovers in history in this superb Jonathan Miller directed adaptation of Shakespeare's turbulent script. The 16th Century setting gives a non-traditional feel, but the cast and direction are of the highest BBC standards. find out more...

One of the BBC's exhaustive and typically exemplary adaptations of one of the great Bard's lesser known works performed by pretty much the cream of British theatre. The play, one of Shakespeare's most popular in the 19th Century, focuses on the relationships between Henry, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey. To quote "'Tis better to be lowly born Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief, And wear a golden sorrow". find out more...

Anthony Hopkins gives a masterful find out more...

Trevor Nunn casts the cream of British thespians in this lavish production of the sixteenth century tragedy. Ian McKellan plays Iago, driven by pure jealousy to destroy everyone he believes has wronged him. A powerful, tragic tale of envy and treachery, with superb performances all round. find out more...

Ran, Kurosawa's last great epic, is a Jidaigeki (Japanese period drama) depicting the fall of Hidetora Ichimonj, an ageing Sengoku-era warlord who abdicates as ruler in favor of his three sons. His kingdom slowly disintegrates as the sons struggle for power, murdering rivals and laying waste to the land, and Hidetora goes insane after watching his retainers slaughtered in an epic massacre, the centrepiece of the film. As the kingdom crumbles and rival warlords move in for the kill, the Ichimonji find out more...

Another adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy of feuding families and love struck teens. Studio based, very amateurish and outdated. Rent only if you're desperate! find out more...

Bassanio, a young Venetian, needs a loan of 3,000 ducats so he can properly woo Portia, a wealthy heiress. To get the necessary funds, Bassanio approaches his friend Antonio, a merchant. Antonio's money, unfortunately, is invested in merchant ships that are presently at sea; however, to help Bassanio, Antonio arranges for a short-term loan from Shylock, a Jewish usurer. Shylock, who has been humiliated on a number of occasions by Antonio decides to teach him a lesson by striking a frightening ba find out more...

A typically authentic BBC version, ergo recommended for students of the play. find out more...

A fine BBC adaptation of one of the bard's lesser known and earliest comedies observing the inevitable conflict between friendship and love when two friends travel to Milan and, regardless of their filial obligations, become besotted. find out more...