I’ve been watching (or rewatching?) a lot of Shakespeare adaptions lately. It’s amazing to me how versatile his stories are. They can be put in any setting, any time period, gender-bent, they can use the original dialogue or be updated with modern lingo... and still his stories resonate with audiences everywhere.
Well, I am still in the midst of watching adaptions I haven’t seen before. However, I believe I’ve seen enough to compile a list of my favorites. I’m sure as I continue watching, the list is bound to change, but this is what it is for now.
Note that there are not a lot of tragedies here. That’s not because I don’t like his tragedies, it’s just because I haven’t seen very many adaptions of them and none that have stuck with me. I am remedying that now. Like I said, this list may change after I watch more.
Now, here is my list of my top 10 Shakespeare adaptions:
West Side Story
A musical adaption of “Romeo and Juliet”. Two street gangs battle for street turf, but things get complicated when one member falls for the other side’s daughter.
Honestly, I liked the music better than the story itself. I’m not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet and I feel like the story has been done to death. However, I thought it was still charming. Plus the finger snapping is iconic.
The Hollow Crown- Richard III
Richard, the brother of Edward IV resents his brother’s power and schemes to steal it away through careful planning.
I’d never heard of this one before my Shakespeare class in college. However, Richard III was an evil genius! It was crazy! This adaption does a great job of capturing his diabolical-ness in such an interesting way. I don’t think there are many adaptions of this one (which is a shame because I think it’s fascinating to watch him subtly take over everything). Plus, Benedict Cumberbatch is always a treat.
Merchant of Venice (2004)
Young Bassanio is in need of money so he can wed his fiancee, Portia. However, since his rich friend Antonio temporarily cannot led him the money, he goes to the Jewish moneylender, Shylock who holds a grudge against Antonio... and by association, Bassanio. Without thinking, Bassanio makes a deadly deal with Shylock that may wind up killing either him or Antonio.
Al Pachino and Jeremy Irons are in pivotal roles here as Shylock and Antonio. Stellar acting! Shylock is already a complex and sympathetic villain, but Pachino brings even more layers to him just through his acting. A great adaption of a pretty interesting story. Again, another of Shakespeare’s stories that doesn’t have a ton of adaptions. However, this version does the story justice. Plus, Portia is a boss! She has all the best speeches.
Twelfth Night (1996)
Twins, Viola and Sebastian are separated in a shipwreck and presume each other dead. Desperate to make a living for herself, Viola disguises herself as a man and begins to serve a prestigious duke. The duke is desperately in love with a woman named Olivia, but she will not see him, so he sends Viola to plead his case. While there, Olivia is charmed by Viola and instead falls for her. Meanwhile, Viola finds herself falling for the duke who is still in love with Olivia... and who thinks she is a man.
I first saw this back in high school on recommendation from a friend. I fell in love with it immediately. The story is absolutely outrageous and hilarious! The entire cast does a great job at capturing the ridiculousness and awkwardness of their situations. The trouble with a lot of Shakespeare readings/adaptions is that people read it very stiffly and monotonously. The actors here put life into the lines so that even if you can’t fully understand exactly what’s being said, you can pick up on what’s happening through the tone of their voice and their actions.
I also have to add that Toby Stevens (the duke) is SUCH an over-actor. It’s actually hilarious. The duke is already a major drama queen and adding all his over-the-top stuff just... works.
10 Things I Hate About You
A modern high school adaption of “The Taming of the Shrew.” Everyone wants to date the beautiful and charming Bianca, but her father has placed a rule on her that she is unable to date until her older sister, Kat, does. Unfortunately, Kat is a cantankerous, cynical girl who is completely against dating. Some boys team up and hire Patrick-- a mysterious, scary outcast-- to date Kat.
I know a lot of people grew up watching this, but I actually hadn’t seen it until fairly recently. I was charmed right away, though. I will say, the original play hasn’t aged all that well and comes across as a bit sexist. However, this movie does an excellent job of updating it and turning it into a cute love story. Heath Ledger is charming as always, the leads have great chemistry, it has a distinctly 90s feel, and it’s just fun.
Warm Bodies
An apocalyptic twist on “Romeo and Juliet.” In a world where a virus has turned most of the population into brain-eating zombies, R lives as a lonely zombie, wandering the streets. One day, he meets Julie and instead of killing her, decides to save her from the rest of the pack. They become fascinated by each other-- her because he has more personality than a zombie should have, and him because she’s the first human he’s interacted with. Eventually he decides to escort her home. The more they get to know each other, the more it seems possible that R just might be able to get in touch with his human side after all.
I randomly came across this a while ago. I had heard of it before, but I avoided it because anything that was a love story with monsters just seemed too cheesy and lame for me (Twilight has seriously messed me up). I don’t know what eventually changed my mind, but just one day I decided I would give it a go. I found it completely adorable with enough action to keep it from being too sappy. It was TOTALLY Romeo and Juliet. It even had a balcony scene.
She’s the Man
A modern high school adaption of “Twelfth Night.” After the girls’ soccer team gets cut at Viola’s school, the boys’ team refuses to let her try out. She decides to pose as her twin brother at his new school while he is out of town in order to try out there. However, things begin to get complicated when she catches the attention of her roommate Duke’s crush, Olivia. Meanwhile, she is simultaneously falling in love with Duke.
I had a friend who was completely obsessed with this movie when we were in high school. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t super into it back then. However, since graduating, I’ve found a new appreciation for it. It’s now one of my favorite teen movies. Twelfth Night is already a completely ridiculous story and this movie makes it even more so. Amanda Bynes is hilarious. And then baby Channing Tatem! Haha!
So many quotes! “I’ve got a lifetime of knowledge.” or “When I close my eyes, I see you for what you truly are which is UUUUGLAAYYYY!!!” or “Chew like you have a secret.”
Nothing Much to Do
A vlog series based on “Much Ado About Nothing.” Beatrice has moved in with her cousins. She decides to start a vlog just as she is starting her new school. Her sweet and innocent cousin, Hero, begins dating Claudio while Beatrice butts heads with Claudio’s friend, Ben. Growing tired of Beatrice and Ben's bickering, their friends look for a way to get them together.
I can’t even remember how I came across this. I love it so much though. It’s so well done! I’ve watched several vlog series that are based on literature and most of them have always felt like adaptions of something which a vlog shouldn't; it should feel like someone actually filming their life. This one feels so natural and unrehearsed. I almost think that 80% of it is unscripted and just ad-libbed with the actors having real-life conversations. You can tell all of them are actually really good friends and that’s what makes it work.
Lion King
A Disney movie based on “Hamlet.” A new prince of the pride lands is born much to the chagrin of the king’s brother, Scar. Simba grows up under the tutelage of his father, Mufasa, preparing him for the day he will become king. However, Scar has other plans. He ultimately kills Mufasa and chases poor Simba away. Will Simba ever be able to return and claim his rightful place as king?
Who hasn’t seen this movie? I mean honestly. It’s one of the greatest Disney movies ever! The animation, the music, the voice work! Ahh! The only reason it’s not in the number one spot is because as far as a Shakespeare adaption, it doesn’t really do its source material justice. I’d say it’s closer to a Moses adaption than Hamlet, but still, you can see traces of the story in there.
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Returning from war, Don Pedro and his fellow soldiers stay with his friend Leonato at his vineyard. While there, a young soldier, Claudio, falls for Leonato’s daughter, Hero. Meanwhile, Claudio’s friend, Benedick, and Leonato’s niece, Beatrice, engage in a battle of wits and constantly butt heads. Don Pedro and company decide to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with each other. In the shadows, Don Pedro’s half brother schemes to undo everyone’s good humor.
I don’t know what possessed me to watch this originally, but it’s been my favorite ever since. Everyone is perfectly cast for their parts and plays them so well. I mentioned before about how Shakespeare is often read stiffly, but I appreciate it when actors perform it in a way that makes it interesting. Everybody in this film does just that and keeps you engaged the entire time. There’s so much energy in this film. I especially enjoy Kenneth Branagh as Benedick-- he’s so fussy. Haha!
I was noting when I last watched it how many American actors there were in it. They’re usually so snobby about that, keeping it mainly British. However, a large number of the cast were American using their normal accents. Not to be biased towards my native country, but it was almost refreshing to see that.
Anyways, it’s such a good adaption for a very fun story. (Despite how many butts there are in the beginning. SO MANY! Sheesh! Can’t they just show them bathing without showing every single cast members’s butt? Good grief!)
