Renaissance Man
- Synopsis
- Feature film. Bill Rago, an advertising executive, fails to win a multi-million dollar account. He registers as unemployed and is assigned a six-week job at the MacClane US Army Training Corps as a teacher in an ethnically diverse class. Never having taught before, Rago decides to teach the class Hamlet, as he happens to have a copy with him. The class responds well and later perform a ‘Hamlet Rap’. He accompanies his class to Stratford, Canada to see a stage performance of Henry V, the scene chosen is Henry rallying his troops before Harfleur. The climax of the film sees Rago reciting Henry’s ‘St Crispian’s Day’ speech (IV iii) from memory in a strong Brooklyn accent. Shakespeare is used to allow the exploration and articulation of Rago’s problems, and as a civilising agent in a romantic and unconvincing film.
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Film
- Technical information
- Colour / Sound
- Year of release
- 1994
- Duration
- 126 mins; 11,542 feet
Credits
- Director
- Penny Marshall
- Producer
- Abbott. Elliot; Robert Greenhut; Sara Colleton
- Screenplay
- Jim Burnstein
- Music
- Hans Zimmer
- Art Direction
- Richard Johnson (2)
- Cast
Danny DeVito Bill Rago Gregory Hines Sergeant Lou Cass
Additional Details
- Production type
- Fiction Films
- Plays
- Hamlet; Henry V
- Subjects
- Drama
- Keywords
- Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Rap music
Notes
- General
- A definition of stage drama offered in the film "you know, like TV without the box".
Production Company
- Name
Cinergi Pictures
Distributor (Sale)
- Name
Retail outlets
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "Renaissance Man". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av36643 (Accessed 03 Oct 2024)