#TMP Shakespeare Adaptions
I’m playing along with TMP again and if you’re interested the rules are simple; base on the theme of the week pick three to five movies and tell us why you picked them, then link up with Wandering through the Shelves.
Just for fun, I found this on DD#2 FB wall yesterday and I couldn’t resist sharing it with y’all considering today’s theme.
Here’s my insult, Oh, thou saucy, sheep-biting haggard! Feel free to share yours in my comments. 🙂 Now it’s time to get down to business. I’m gonna be upfront with you. I did not learn the classics in school. I’m having problems with my ears but I definitely heard the gasps. Okay, maybe I imagined that but still, I’m not well versed in Shakespeare or other dead writers who wore tights. But, I might be able to come up with a few Shakespeare Adaptions.
The first movie that comes to mind is the 20th-century version of Romeo & Juliet in the popular 1961 mewsical flick, West Side Story. I’m sure everyone is familiar with it but for those who are not, this is a tale of two rival street gangs clashing over the same turf with two lovers caught between the mess.
This movie enthralled me as a kid and I’d like to see it again. Perhaps it’ll show on Netflix streaming sometime soon.
I watched Much Ado About Nothing (1993) several years ago and I can’t remember a lot about it other than it’s a romantic comedy surrounding a wedding. All I remember is It has a host of stars and was fun to watch. Here, watch the trailer for yourself.
I’m not sure if this movie qualifies or not but I’ll share it because it’s about Shakespeare. How close to the truth if any it is I cannot say but I found Wikipedia an interesting read about the film.
Shakespeare In Love is a story of a promising new playwright. Everything is going badly for young Will when his inspiration for writing halts. What he needs is a jolt to unlatch his writer’s block and that he gets with the beautiful, Lady Viola. It was love at first but despite Lady Viola’s arranged engagement, the two become lovers and from the fiery romance, Shakespeare pens his greatest work of Romeo and Juliet. I recommend this delightful, heartwarming, tale of forbidden love.
It’s a wrap, folks! I hope y’all decide to come back tomorrow with multiple posts filled with a lot of fun! There’s something for everyone – photography (Skywatch Friday), blessings (Celebrate the Small Things), Friendly fill-ins, and lots of laughs (Friday Sillies).
I’ll see you at the movies!
17 Comments
SheLikesMovies
Much Ado is a favourite play of mine – Branagh’s version is pretty straight forward and I love it! Love the other two too. West Side Story is just so fantastic and I forget how amazing Shakespeare in Love is.
Dell on Movies (@w_ott3)
I’ve only seen West Side Story. It’s been a while, but it is a fantastic film. Great pick.
And I can’t wait to call someone a paunchy toad-spotted nut-hook.
Cathy Kennedy
Dell, Thanks for stopping by. Let me know how your Shakespearean insult hurling goes! 🙂
joelnox
Commendable picks you cockered folly-fallen varlot! The list is a great addition as well.
So much to love in West Side Story…and then there’s Richard Beymer as Tony! He’d extremely good looking and totally out of his depth in the part. On the other hand while she doesn’t do her own singing Natalie Wood nails Maria’s conflicts, anguish and happiness. But Rita Moreno OWNS this picture. However that’s just the start of the virtues to be found in the film.
Branagh focuses so much on the heavy side of Shakespeare it was wonderful to see him cut loose in Much Ado and he and Emma Thompson radiate chemistry. They carry the movie but everyone else joins into the spirit and makes this a rollicking good time.
While I didn’t think it deserved its Oscar and stars an actress, Paltrow, that I disdain Shakespeare in Love is a merry little number with a charming Joseph Fiennes and a very fun performance by Ben Affleck.
There’s a seemingly endless plethora of Shakespeare takes, redo, re-imaginings etc. to pick from this week so it wasn’t hard to find three favorites among them.
Hamlet (1996)-Kenneth Branagh adapted, directed and stars as the tortured Dane supported by a cast that is drawn from the cream of the British acting world with a few choice American stars pulled in for good measure. What makes this version stand out from the myriad others is Branagh’s decision to pull the play out of the dingy and poorly lit 14th century to the lush baroque 19th, resulting in deserved nominations for Art & Costume design, making it a far more vivid experience. That’s a great help since he has also chosen to present the entirety of the play’s nearly four hour run time. In a cast that includes Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Robin Williams, Gerard Depardieu and Judi Dench among so many others it’s difficult to choose any MVP’s aside from Branagh but Kate Winslet as Ophelia and Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras, the crown prince of Norway are memorable. It’s a challenging view but worthwhile.
Joe MacBeth (1955)-Updating the Scottish play to the criminal underworld of 1930’s America this violent take on the tale (it begins with the title character blowing away a crime boss then going directly to his own wedding) is an inventive twist on the material. Excellent work by Paul Douglas and Ruth Roman as the murderous mobster and his rapacious Lady M hold you rapt as the homicidal pair climb the ladder of success over an ever increasing pile of bodies.
Kiss Me Kate (1953)-The Taming of the Shrew moved into the world of the modern theatre and musicalized by Cole Porter. Famous stage star Fred Graham (Howard Keel) tries to dissuade his equally famous ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (Kathryn Grayson) to postpone her upcoming marriage so she can co-star with him in a musical updating of The Taming of the Shrew. She agrees reluctantly since their relationship post-divorce is as combative as their married life so it’s not smooth going. Add in several flies in the ointment including second lead Lois Lane(!) (Ann Miller) and some mobsters who are mistakenly putting the squeeze on Frank for a debt Lois’s boyfriend owes and it’s a wacky time backstage. Onstage though there are some amazing dance numbers performed by four of the best dancers of the 50’s (Miller, Carol Haney, Bob Fosse and Bobby Van) and great music sung by all including “It’s Too Darn Hot!” and “From This Moment On”. One of the great musicals, originally shown in 3-D.
Cathy Kennedy
Joel,
Your own good recommendations of my movie choices make me want to see them again. lol 🙂 I found Hamlet (1996) available on YouTube, so I may see if I can actually watch it. It is chockful of stars and your overview intrigues me, so I shall see if it’s a delight as well for me. Joe MacBeth sounds appealing, too. I find it and “Kiss Me Kate” on YouTube. You’ve given me two films to check out next week. Thanks for the intro of all three and should I get a chance to view any of them then I’ll let you know! Have a good weekend!
handmadejewelryhaven
Thou tottering shard-born foot licker!!
ewwwwwwww!!
This is hilarious!!
Thanks for sharing!
– Lisa
Cathy Kennedy
Lisa, Oh that’s a good insult! Isn’t this chart fun? 🙂
15andmeowing
I have never seen any Shakespeare movies, not even Shakespeare in Love so I skipped this week. That is a cool insult chart 🙂 I hope you feel better soon.
Paskalis Damar AK
Love the picks, thou puny swag-bellied pigeon-egg! Lol. Your picks are interesting. I remember watching West Side Story once, but not remember much. I suggest you watch Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing. I picked it myself. It’s a great, all-accessible adaptation.
Well, Shakespeare in Love is a thing, right?
Cathy Kennedy
Paskalis, thank you for the movie recommendation. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this version of Much Ado About Nothing available for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime. It’s possible it’s on YouTube but I haven’t checked yet. I enjoyed Shakespeare in Love. 🙂 Thanks for the insult (puny swag-bellied pigeon-egg) and the visit! lol
Birgit
Thou yeasty, rump-fed harpy….hahahaaaa. That is so much fun and glad you placed that here today. Loving your pics because I have always wanted to see Much ado About Nothing and it is on my list. Love Wrst Side Story even though I always giggle with the rough guys dancing in the streets while trying to be hard nosed:) Shakespeare In Love is such a good film. I really enjoy it. Great picks!
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit, Bwahaha – good Shakespeare insult! I need to watch again Much Ado About Nothing. It’s been a long time. I liked it but sometimes movies are better appreciated the second time around. I’ll be over to see you soon!
Dan
I ADORE this version of Much Ado About Nothing! Then again, I’m also a fan of Joss Whedon’s stripped-down version from a few years back, too, so maybe I just love the source material too much lol.
Shakespeare in Love is pure fantasy, but it is a truly perfect film, and anyone who says it didn’t deserve all the Oscars is a bootless, beef-witted barnacle!
Sonia
Haha love that Shakespeare insult kit. I’m going to save that! Great picks, I absolutely have to check out West Side Story.
Cathy Kennedy
Sonia, West Side Story was the first film that came to mind with today’s prompt. If you get a chance to see it, then do! I’d like to see it again just for the fun. I’m glad you liked the insults. I thought the timing was purrfect! 🙂
Myerla
Nice picks Thou saucy swegbellied maggotpie!
Despite it’s popularity I still haven’t seen West Side Story. I’ve seen your last pick a long time ago. I recall enjoying it.
Cathy Kennedy
Myerla, Gr8 insult! I almost went with the maggotpie but I thought I don’t know the TMP crowd too well and I don’t wanna tick anyone off. lol Thanks for stopping by. I’m heading your way next!