THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 2004 Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated R for some nudity Running Time 2 hour 11 minutes Genre Drama Directed by Michael Radford Cast Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Zuleikha Robinson, Charlie Cox, Heather Goldenhersh, Lynn Collins, Kris Marshall Studio Sony Pictures Classics |
In Days of Old, as well as those Modern, money is often used by suitors to impress a
potential mate. So it is in the life of young Bassino (Joseph Fiennes) who needs a loan
to “put on the dog” to court and win the fair hand the lovely Portia. Since Bassanio has
no credit rating in town, his friend Antonio (Jeremy Irons) goes to the moneylender,
Shylock (Al Pacino), to obtain a loan in his name.
Ah, but as the well-known tale goes, there is very bad blood between Shylock and
Antonio. Antonio's derision of Shylock just might come back to bite him. Just how
severely becomes the crux of the story as written by William Shakespeare. But I
shouldn't jump too far ahead. There is much to be told before the “pound of flesh”
scene arrives.
Directed by Michael Radford, this is a beautifully executed version of Shakespeare's
story of anti-Semitism and revenge. Breathtaking cinematography, meticulous
costuming and stellar casting abound. Michael Radford also did the screenplay for this
production and it flows magically.
potential mate. So it is in the life of young Bassino (Joseph Fiennes) who needs a loan
to “put on the dog” to court and win the fair hand the lovely Portia. Since Bassanio has
no credit rating in town, his friend Antonio (Jeremy Irons) goes to the moneylender,
Shylock (Al Pacino), to obtain a loan in his name.
Ah, but as the well-known tale goes, there is very bad blood between Shylock and
Antonio. Antonio's derision of Shylock just might come back to bite him. Just how
severely becomes the crux of the story as written by William Shakespeare. But I
shouldn't jump too far ahead. There is much to be told before the “pound of flesh”
scene arrives.
Directed by Michael Radford, this is a beautifully executed version of Shakespeare's
story of anti-Semitism and revenge. Breathtaking cinematography, meticulous
costuming and stellar casting abound. Michael Radford also did the screenplay for this
production and it flows magically.
Mary's comments
A troubling tale of man's prejudices and the
toll that they take on their souls, but a
simply breathtaking film of magnificent
quality. Having read the play many years
ago, my memory was jogged by Michael
Radford’s masterpiece. Excellent.
A troubling tale of man's prejudices and the
toll that they take on their souls, but a
simply breathtaking film of magnificent
quality. Having read the play many years
ago, my memory was jogged by Michael
Radford’s masterpiece. Excellent.
Brenda’s comments
Fine actors for a fine piece of literature. Al
Pacino is noteworthy and perhaps a less
loathsome a Shylock than I have come to
expect. The anti-Semetic theme remains
strong and the pound of flesh sounds less
like a hollow threat than ever in this latest
version of the classic. Artfully filmed and
costumed, the film is a treat to behold.
Fine actors for a fine piece of literature. Al
Pacino is noteworthy and perhaps a less
loathsome a Shylock than I have come to
expect. The anti-Semetic theme remains
strong and the pound of flesh sounds less
like a hollow threat than ever in this latest
version of the classic. Artfully filmed and
costumed, the film is a treat to behold.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY
Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan
Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 11 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
· Audio Commentary with
director Michael Radford &
actress Lynn Collins
· Making of THE MERCHANT OF
VENICE Featurette
· Weblink to the Teachers'
Guide (a classroom guide)
· Previews
Disc Specs
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 11 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
· Audio Commentary with
director Michael Radford &
actress Lynn Collins
· Making of THE MERCHANT OF
VENICE Featurette
· Weblink to the Teachers'
Guide (a classroom guide)
· Previews