SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Shows how Shakespeare’s plays grew out of the many elements available to him. The background of English rural life is shown: his home, school and Warwickshire countryside. Shakespeare is seen in London searching in libraries for subjects for the plays he was writing. He discovers the work of Plutarch and Holinshed, watches the plays of rival authors and is influenced by the visiting ‘Commedia dell’ Arte’. On a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre stage a number of extracts from the plays are enacted.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

1971

Duration

20 mins

Credits

Director

George Murcell; W Hugh Baddeley

Writer

Clement Bending; W Hugh Baddeley

Contributor

Richard Bebb

Cast

Ishia Bennison
James Bree

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

biographies; Globe Theatre; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

The film was released in both colour and black and white in the US.

History

Released in the United States by Coronet Instructional Films.

Uses

Secondary and further education.

Production Company

Name

Gateway Educational Films

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division

Web

http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window

Phone

(20) 707-8572

Fax

(20) 707-237’1

Address

Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Viewtech Educational Media

Contact

Lynda Morrell

Notes

NB. Viewtech ceased trading in 2014 and the company’s products are no longer in distribution For over 30 years Viewtech distributed programmes from leading specialist educational producers from around the world and since 2002 it included titles previously distributed in the UK by Educational Media Film & Video. The extensive collection covered all subjects within the primary and secondary curriculum and some materials, particularly in the areas of study skills and business, are applicable to further/higher education.