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Modern Film Adaptations of Shakespeare
Fathom
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| Seminar Introduction |
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 Teenagers, whether they are aware of it or not, have been reintroduced to Shakespearean plots through film. In such popular movies as Ten Things I Hate About You, a rendition of The Taming of the Shrew, and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, teens have shown that they still identify with Shakespearean themes that champion many of the issues they face today.
Sometimes emphasizing a subplot of the original script or replacing excised text with visual imagery and fast-paced editing, these modernized renditions have radicalized and repopularized Shakespearean works in pop culture, argues AFI writer and researcher Vicki Botnick. And while purist Shakespeare scholars might argue that these films devalue the intent of the original works, Botnick explains that even those films that dramatically stray from the original script and settings can be considered accurate interpretations if they stay true to the spirit of Shakespeare's plays. This seminar addresses many of the considerations associated with translating texts to film, and offers an in-depth analysis of the ways in which Baz Luhrmann's 1995 rendition of Romeo and Juliet successfully uses imagery and film-editing techniques to capture aspects of the original script that would have been impossible to show on stage. Using a brief overview of many of the major Shakespeare film adaptations made throughout the twentieth century, Botnick identifies those films and directors most successful in encouraging increasingly radical and accessible adaptations of Shakespearean works. Of interest to literature and film buffs alike, Botnick explores some of the timeless Shakespearean themes that have been proven successful in captivating young audiences.
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| Learning Objectives |
- List three films in which directors have modernized Shakespearean plots, characters and settings to cater to a young and modern audience.
- Compare and contrast aspects of Luhrmann's rendition of Romeo + Juliet with Shakespeare's play.
- List two reasons why purist scholars would argue that Shakespearean plots should not be modernized for the teen market.
- Identify some of the timeless themes that make Shakespearean plots well suited for modern film adaptations.
- Compare and contrast ways in which directors Kenneth Branagh and Luhrmann made Shakespeare's advanced plots more accessible for a broad audience.
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| Sessions |
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| Credits |
This seminar was written by Vicki Botnick in April 2002. Copyright American Film Institute.
Images in sessions 2 and 4 that are from the theatre collection of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts are intended for personal or research use only. For reproduction or any other use of these images, contact NYPL Photographic Services & Permissions at permissions@nypl.org.
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
Browser: Netscape versions 4.x up to 4.76, or Internet Explorer versions 4.x or later. Your browser must be JavaScript-enabled and must be set to accept cookies.
Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56Kbps with a throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.
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