This is a release by videofilmexpress for the netherlands market region 2 pal format, which is the same as in the uk. William shakespeare s classic play the merchant of venice comes to life like never before in this 1973 adaptation starring two titans of stage and screen. Two theatrical adaptations are available to viewers this weekend and it would difficult to find better examples that point up the diversity of tv. Beyond the fringe first ran at the edinburgh fringe in 1960 before becoming a smashhit in the west end, with miller then going on to present programmes on the bbc as well as direct productions at venues including the national theatre, such as a revival of the merchant of venice starring laurence olivier. Widely regarded as the most convincing screen adaptation of the merchant of venice to date, this atv production was sourced from jonathan millers acclaimed 1970 national theatre staging. Merchant of venice by jonathan miller, john sichel. Im not sure why the victorian age was chosen to set this revival of the merchant of venice perhaps the costumes were more economical to come by. Set in the late 19th century instead of renaissance england this version of the merchant is well acted, scripted, and directed. The only film i wish was included in this collection was his version of othello.
Laurence olivier was one of the bestknown and most pioneering actordirectors of shakespeare on screen. This one can hardly match the star power of that earlier performance. Laurence olivier, joan plowright, benjamin whitrow, denis lawson, jeremy brett, michael jayston, anthony nicholls, anna carteret, louise purnell, malcolm reid, john sichel, the merchant of venice 1973, the merchant of venice 1973, john sichel, laurence olivier, joan plowright, benjamin whitrow, denis lawson, the merchant of venice 1973, the. In 1939 he appeared as heathcliff in wuthering heights in a role that saw him nominated for the academy award for best actor. In 16th century venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead. Wearing the yarmulke, or traditional jewish skull cap, oliviers shylock showed his contempt for the malicious venetians.
The merchant of venice, laurence olivier as shylock, national. How the merchant of venice has become an unexpected. Merchant of venice, the subjects drama keywords shakespeare, william 15641616 related items jonathan miller notes notes the production is also available on dvd as part of the laurence olivier shakespeare collection 2007 available from online retailers. The merchant of venice is a 16thcentury play written by william shakespeare in which a merchant in venice named antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a jewish moneylender, shylock. National theatre the merchant of venice starring laurence olivier 1973. He is a jewish moneylender shylock agrees to a bond with antonio, the merchant of venice. Olivier retired from the stage in 1974, but his work onscreen continued until the year before his death in 1989. The national theatre company, headed by the late sir laurence olivier, perform this production of shakespeares play. Olivier as hamlet olivier s film production of hamlet has been much admired, particularly for scenes such as this one, which transforms the soliloquy format into an inward meditation. History shown in the united states on the abc network 16 march 1974.
The merchant of venice by william shakespeare imdb. Laurence olivier was also a dazzling shylock, opposite joan plowrights portia, in jonathan millers eyeopening 1970 national theatre production. The largest stage in the national theatre building was later named after him. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival. The merchant of venice tv is a film directed by john sichel with laurence olivier, joan plowright, jeremy brett, michael jayston, year. It premiered in stockholm in 1976 and was later renamed shylock. Laurence olivier gives a superb performance in the part of shylock, but joan plowright as portia and jeremy brett as bassanio are much too old for their parts. Mash 30th anniversary reunion special full episode may 2002. The merchant of venice1974 directed by jonathan miller national theatre and john sichel tv version. Laurence olivier, joan plowright, jeremy brett the merchant of venice tv movie 1980 comedy drama a rich merchant, antonio is depressed for no good reason, until his good friend bassanio comes to tell him how hes in love with portia.
The merchant of venice is a 2004 romantic drama film based on shakespeares play of the same name. The lowestpriced brandnew, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging where packaging is applicable. It is the first fulllength sound film in english of shakespeares play other versions are videotaped productions which were made for television, including john sichels 1973 version starring sir laurence olivier as shylock and jack golds 1980 bbc production with warren mitchell in the role. Comic and director jonathan miller has died aged 85. This bond requires antonio to give a pound of his flesh next his heart should the money not be repaid on a certain date. The merchant of venice 1973 starring laurence olivier. Aside from its artistic merit, its also a valuable historical record, preserving laurence olivier s farewell to stage shakespeare though he would record. Watching olivier in the role of shylock is a thrill, and even more so with joan plowright as portia. Directed by john sichel, the film stars laurence olivier as shylock, anthony nicholls as antonio, jeremy brett as bassanio, joan plowright as portia, louise purnell as jessica. Undoubtedly, merchant is the most difficult of shakespeares works for modern audiences, largely because shylock inspires uneasiness not because of his actions, which are in keeping with. Olivier as hamlet video of hamlet, 1948, act 1, scene 2. Laurence olivier 19071989 was an english actor who, along with his contemporaries ralph richardson and john gielgud, dominated the british stage of the mid20th century. Exmt or better condition with light wear, stamped with paper caption on the back.
The merchant of venice 1973 starring laurence olivier directed by john sichel, based on the jonathan miller stage production at the national theatre i watched this 1973 adaptation of the merchant of venice on the heels of viewing michael radford s recent film and, ill. Laurence olivier could speak william shakespeare s lines as naturally. Laurence olivier national theatre production, 1974. The merchant of venice would have to be my favorite shakespeare book and this tv movie would have to be the best out of all the movies ive seen on the merchant of venice.
Merchant of venice by jonathan miller, john sichel jonathan. She has won two golden globe awards and a tony award and has been nominated for an academy award, an emmy and two bafta awards. At least one character in the background of this speech, performed on a street in venice, is noticeably unclothed. With laurence olivier, joan plowright, jeremy brett, michael jayston. Young bassanio jeremy brett desires the lovely portia plowright, but in order to win the fair ladys hand properly, he needs money. The merchant of venicelinewise explanation youtube. Sir laurence olivier as shylock in the merchant of venice edinburgh, 1971 sir laurence olivier as shylock in the merchant of venice edinburgh, 1971. It is based on william shakespeares the merchant of venice, and focus on the jewish shylock character, that plays principal antagonist wesker began writing the play after seeing a 1973 performance by laurence olivier.
The cast was excellent, especially sir laurence olivier of course. In this lavish stage production, oscar winner laurence olivier takes on one of literary history s most enigmatic and challenging characters. While there is no profanity apart from damn and god the dialogue is often hard to follow for those unfamiliar with shakespearean plays. Anthony nicholls was born on october 16, 1902 in windsor.
Shakespeare plays tend to adapt well to be set in more contemporary time frames. The rest of the cast are very good as well, especially jeremy brett. The merchant of venice region 2 by laurence olivier. I watched this 1973 adaptation of the merchant of venice on the heels of viewing michael radfords recent film and, ill tell you, the comparison doesnt flatter the former. Shylock is the key character in shakespeares 1596 or 1597 play the merchant of venice. Antonios anthony nicholls friend bassanio jeremy brett is in. Laurence kerr olivier was born in dorking, surrey, england, to agnes louise crookenden and gerard kerr olivier, a high.
The merchant of venice 1973 pelicula completa en espanol latino. If youre looking for the merchant of venice on video or dvd, it comes down to two versions. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema. The merchant of venice is a 1973 tv adaptation of william shakespeares play of the same name. His own parts there included the title role in othello 1964 and shylock in the merchant of venice 1970. To see olivier in richard iii is to see those dry pages of shakespeare come to life. Director jonathan miller producer cecil clarke shylock laurence olivier portia koan plowright bassanio jeremy brett gratiano michael jayson. In 1930, to gain money for his forthcoming marriage, olivier began his film career with small roles in two films. The merchant of venice, laurence olivier as shylock, national theatre company, 1974 the merchant of venice, laurence olivier as shylock, national theatre company, 1974 image info. Starring laurence olivier, joan plowright, jeremy brett. Al pacino to play king lear in new film adaptation film. Although richard iii has, perhaps, been unfairly treated by some historians, no one can deny the sheer magnetism of the character as portrayed by olivier s unforgettable representation. This production of the merchant of venice, like all versions, is dogged by the character of shylock, the jewish moneylender who demands his due of a pound of flesh for a forfeited loan.
It is the first fulllength sound film in english of shakespeares playother versions are videotaped productions which were made for television, including john sichels 1973 version and jack golds 1980 bbc production. Olivier as the controversial shylock, in 1880s the. The merchant is a 1976 play in two acts by the english dramatist arnold wesker. Laurence olivier was also a dazzling shylock, opposite joan plowrights portia. The merchant of venice 1973 laurence olivier dvd for. It places that prejudice in a highly sophisticated, intensely human context. In venice of the 1880s, jewish moneylender shylock olivier provides young antonio anthony nichols with a loan, stating that if it is not repaid he will claim a pound of flesh. His own parts there included the title role in othello 1965 and shylock in the merchant of venice 1970.
A decade before his king lear, he took on the role of shylock in jonathan millers production of the merchant of venice, and now that production is available on dvd, thanks to shout. His cinema reputation stems from the three films he directed between 1944 and 1955. Jul 29, 2016 the merchant of venice therefore has the singular ability to become something truly revelatory. Contrary to lord olivier s assertion, the merchant of venice does not offer a harsh portrayal of prejudice. Antonios anthony nicholls friend bassanio jeremy brett is in love and needs money to go courting. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. Shakespeare gave the merchant of venice other problems as well, most notably its uneasy mix of romantic comedy and heavy drama, yet its strengths are so vivid that they negate many of its weaknesses. Parents need to know that this 1948 oscarwinning version of hamlet is based on william shakespeares classic play and is both directed and stars laurence olivier the language of the film is entirely based on shakespeares work. Apr, 2014 laurence olivier was also a dazzling shylock, opposite joan plowrights portia, in jonathan millers eyeopening 1970 national theatre production. The merchant of venice, laurence olivier as shylock, national theatre company, 1974.
Henry v hamlet king lear merchant of venice richard iii as you like it as well as all the plays listed, it comes with an interview disc of laurence olivier being interviewed by michael parkinson. William shakespeares classic play the merchant of venice comes to life like never before in this 1973 adaptation starring two titans of stage and screen. This is the first study to provide a comprehensive analysis of olivier s shakespearean feature films and his unique shakespearean star image. Using antonio as his collateral, he borrows money from shylock sir laurence olivier. Laurence olivier is known for his earlier shakespeare films hamlet, richard iii, henry v but it was his king lear that first really impressed me. Jonathan millers national theatre production with laurence olivier, joan plowright, and jeremy brett, taped in 1973, and this bbc effort, recorded seven years later.
Widely regarded as the most convincing screen adaptation of the merchant of venice to date, this atv production was sourced from jonathan millers acclaimed 1970 national theatre staging aside from its artistic merit, its also a valuable historical record, preserving laurence olivier s farewell to stage shakespeare though he would record king lear for granada television in 1983. Laurence olivier stars in this 1973 production of the shakespearean tragedy about greed and vengeance. Laurence olivier original wire photo 1974 the merchant of. The national theatre, atv production made for tv film starring laurence olivier, 1973. The merchant of venice, laurence olivier as shylock. Now the malice was no longer centred on one place shylock but shared equally by the inhabitants of venice.
Shylock laurence olivier lends antonio money on the security of a pound of flesh. An edwardian take on the shakespeare play starring laurence olivier. This is the continuation of act 1 scene 1 of the shakespearean play the merchant of venice by shampa chatterjee. Vintage original 8 x 10 wire movie still photograph dated 381974 of laurence olivier in the 1973 made for tv film, shakespeares the merchant of venice. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. It should be noted that the main roles in the film are of top calibre actors who really perform well, especially laurence olivier who did a fantastic job of playing shylock. Pictured on one of a set of eight british commemorative postage stamps celebrating the 200th anniversary of the old vic theatre, issued 30 august 2018. National theatre the merchant of venice starring laurence olivier. I have the video of this film and wanted to have it in dvd. The merchant of venice act 1 scene 1 episode 2 ii shampa. For television, he starred in long days journey into night, the merchant of venice, cat on a hot tin roof, brideshead revisited, and king lear, among others. With al pacino, joseph fiennes, lynn collins, jeremy irons. Share the merchant of venice 1973 laurence olivier dvd.
There is exceptional work as well from joan plowright even if she is perhaps a bit mature for the role, jeremy brett, and michael jayston. In my opinion the positives outweigh the negatives in this production of the merchant of venice. The merchant of venice tv movie 1973 shylock itv sunday night theatre. Adapted from jonathan miller s brilliant london stage production, this updated interpretation of shakespeare s masterpiece shifts.
Wearing the yarmulke, or traditional jewish skull cap, olivier s shylock showed his contempt for the malicious venetians. I have not seen it and it is rather pricey to buy on its own. In 1970, laurence olivier played shylock at the old vic theatre, under director jonathan miller. Please use caution in showing clips from the al pacinomichael radford production. The merchant of venice letterboxd your life in film. Richard iii act i scene i soliloquy by laurence olivier. Among oliviers films are wuthering heights 1939, rebecca 1940, and a trilogy of shakespeare films as actordirector.
Laurence olivier was the cinemas first great shakespearean artist, and remains one of its foremost practitioners only orson welles and kenneth branagh can rival him for achievement as both actor and director. Dec 31, 2019 the merchant of venice tv movie 1973 imdb directed by john sichel. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Feb 04, 2009 pacino to play king lear in new film adaptation this article is more than 11 years old the actor will reunite with michael radford, his director on 2004s the merchant of venice.
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