SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Documentary. The export of Western culture has made English a star performer on the world stage. This programme discusses the ubiquity of Shakespeare and the King James Bible, explaining their roles in propelling English into pre-eminence as a language for cross-cultural expression. The success of television as a medium for disseminating English is also explored, as is the appeal of English in movies and music to audiences in India and Japan. Ebonics as a dialect of American English with mass appeal among teens is also considered. Contributors include televangelist Pat Robertson; Moira Goff, of the British Library; linquist Professor David Crystal, fashion mogul Sir Paul Smith; and director Nagesh Kukunoor.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

2001

Duration

50 mins

Credits

Contributor

David Crystal; Moira Goff; Nagesh Kukunoor; Pat Robertson; Paul Smith

Cast

Mark Rylance

Hamlet

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

cultural influences; English language; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); national identity; Multiculturalism

Notes

General

A four-minute preview clip is available on the Films for the Humanities website. In the clip Professor David Crystal talks about Shakespeare’s use of language and there is a brief extract (the gravedigger’s scene) with Mark Rylance as Hamlet in the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre 2000 production.

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

Email

custserv.@films.com

Web

http://ffh.films.com/ External site opens in new window

Fax

+1 609 671 0266

Address

132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor
New York
NY 10001
USA

Notes

Films for the Humanities & Sciences is part of the US-based Films Media Group and specialises in selling programmes aimed at the HE and FE education and training market. The collection has thousands of titles and a range of separate subject catalogues is available in pdf format at http://ffh.films.com/landing.aspx?show=Catalogs/catalog_FFH.htm. Sale on video/DVD or online viewing via the Films on Demand service.