20th Century Flicks, Bristol

A warrior and not a politician, Coriolanus found the citizens of Rome turning against him. As he sought to wreak his anger on the city, it was left to his mother to prevent a bloody battle. A compelling study of family, loyalty, war and politics, and an acclaimed production well-served by an experienced cast. Being from the BBC stable it can be relied on as a top notch and faithful version of the play. find out more...

CORIOLANUS (2011)

Certification15 Our Rating

Nat Jester says: "This is a good attempt at a directorial debut from Ralph Fiennes, which, like Baz Lurhman's Shakespeare adaptation Romeo + Juliet, brings an old tale into the present while retaining original dialogue. Fiennes is brilliant as Caius 'Coriolanus' Martius, giving the sense of a man who cares for his country, but just can't seem to make the right move. James Nesbit is also good as a schemening senator and Vanessa Redgrave does an outstanding job of playing the family matriarch, find out more...

CYMBELINE (1982)

Certification12 Our Rating

Cymbeline, the King of Britain, is angry that his daughter Imogen has chosen a poor, but worthy, man for her husband. So he banishes Posthumus, who goes to fight for Rome. Imogen, dressed as a boy, goes in search of her husband, who meanwhile has boasted to his pal Iachimo that Imogen would never betray him. And Iachimo's determined to prove him wrong. find out more...

HAMLET (BBC) (1980)

CertificationU Our Rating

Superb adaptation of one of the most difficult plays to stage. Jacobi's performance as the tortured prince is truly outstanding. find out more...

HAMLET (BRANAGH) (1996)

CertificationPG Our Rating

A veritable epic from chief luvvie Ken. Four hours of full on tragedy, with the cream of British thespians alongside a plethora of international cameos. The action is shifted to the 19th Century, but is otherwise faithful and unabridged with magnificent sets and costumes. find out more...

HAMLET (ETHAN HAWKE) (2000)

Certification12 Our Rating

A contemporary adaption of William Shakespeare's Hamlet........well that should do it really, but just in case.; Spoilt, slightly unhinged lad, starved of real parental love, father murdered, mum marries prime suspect, boy becomes even more loopy, but method in his madness, determined to find the truth and reek revenge, falls in love with forbidden fruit, tragedy lurking patiently in the wings. This modern adaption of Hamlet is following on from the recent updating of Romeo and Juliet and though find out more...

HAMLET (MEL GIBSON) (1991)

CertificationPG Our Rating

Franco Zeffirelli has made cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare's work something of a speciality, and this energetic, earthy, Anglo-Saxon set version lives up to his reputation. He brings out the very best from Mel Gibson, who brings real gusto to Hamlet's anguish, and makes this full-blooded translation roar vividly with life. Glenn Close, as his mother, and Helena Bonham Carter, as Ophelia, both lend excellent support, as do the rest of the star-studded cast. Excellent and should please both s find out more...

HAMLET (OLIVIER) (1948)

CertificationU Our Rating

This remains one of the greatest screen versions of the tortured play, though it does look rather over-played by modern standards. The late Olivier gives one of his greatest performances - indeed this is the performance that first ranked him amongst the very greatest of actors. Won Best Picture at 1948 Academy Awards. find out more...

HAMLET (RUSSIAN) (1964)

Certification12 Our Rating

The surface of ceremonies and rituals celebrating the coronation of King Claudius (Mikhail Nazvanov) and his marriage to Hamlet's mother (Elza Radzina) leaves the young prince indifferent. Hamlet's melancholic nature finds no relief from his brooding, not even in his courtship of Ophelia (Anastasiya Vertinskaya). However, a nocturnal visit from his father's ghost changes everything. Claudius treachery having been brought to light, Hamlet conducts a quest to avenge his father's death.
Gri find out more...

HAMLET (TONY RICHARDSON) (1969)

CertificationU Our Rating

Filmed entirely in the Round House, where he had previously staged the play, Richardson concentrates almost exclusively on faces! Faces lower obsessively from the screen, surrounded by mysterious pools of darkness in which figures stealthily appear and disappear. The reason may be economy, but the result is an emphasis on the words and their meaning. Nicol Williamson's Hamlet intelligent, mocking and volcanically explosive, is neatly disciplined by this approach, it's interesting and imaginative find out more...