In search of Shakespeare [videorecording] / PBS ; Maya Vision International ; written and presented by Michael Wood ; director, David Wallace ; producer, Rebecca Dobbs ; executive producer, Leo Eaton ; executive producer for BBC, Krishan Arora.

Widescreen.

[London] : Maya Vision International ; Alexandria, VA : Distributed by PBS Home Video, c2004.

2 videodiscs (ca. 240 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.

For private home use only.

This four-part series explores the life of the world's greatest and most famous writer. Mixing travel, adventure, interviews, documentary, and live action sequences with the Royal Shakespeare Company, it presents a biography of one Elizabethan: his life, family and friendships, triumphs and disasters, loves and his losses. Viewers see how Shakespeare's life and work were shaped by his times, how he created some of the greatest literature in the world, and why he is still loved. These films reveal how Shakespeare sums up English history--and the English character too--more than any other person. Decent, humane, open minded, tolerant, witty, bawdy, sexy, diffident, guarded, skeptical, wary of any political system, identifying himself with the "Other" in his great portrayals of black people, women, the poor, Jews-- even evil people--Shakespeare is an artist born out of turbulent times. But as his old friend, Ben Jonson said, "He was not of an age, but for all time."

Images / Video & Film

English

May 31, 2011

Camera, Peter Harvey, David Scott, Jeff Baynes ; editor Gerry Branigan, Sally Hilton ; music composed and conducted by Howard Davidson, music performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, counter tenor, William Purefoy, lutenist, Paula Chateauneuf ; Royal Shakespeare Company director, Gregory Doran ; research, Barbara Bouman.

Presented by Michael Wood; actors, Desmont Barrit, Ray Fearon, Julian Glover, Stephen Noonan, Jo Stone Fewings, Simon Trinder, Eddie Redmayne, Nancy Carroll, Alexandra Gilbreath, Gerald Kyd, Adrian Schiller, Malcolm Storry, Robert Whitelock, Terrence Maynard, Antony Sher, Harriet Walter, Estelle Kohler, Jane Lapotaire, Paul Merton, Lee Simpson.

DVD ; NTSC, region 1 ; Dolby Digital surround stereo.

MPAA rating: Not rated.

ISES600 PBS Home Video