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A Midsummer Night's Dream

1968 2h 4m Comedy List
Tomatometer 3 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
While preparations are underway for the marriage of Athenian duke Theseus (Derek Godfrey) and Amazon queen Hippolyta (Barbara Jefford), fairy king Oberon (Ian Richardson) and his tricky jester, Puck (Ian Holm), make mischief with the indiscriminate use of a powerful love potion. Lysander (David Warner) and Demetrius (Michael Jayston) both fall for Helena (Diana Rigg), raising the jealousy of Hermia (Helen Mirren), whose father is pressuring her to marry Demetrius despite Lysander's love for her.
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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
Penelope Houston The Spectator Mr Hall's halfway house between screen and stage looks almost as uncomfortable a perch as the curious grave-like earthwork in which Judy Dench's Titania has her sleeping-quarters. Apr 11, 2016 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) The ultimate in respectfully radical Shakespeare adaptations -- it presents the story in purely 1960s terms; respectful in that it includes nearly all of Shakespeare's text. Rated: 4.5/5 May 23, 2007 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat A dream cast makes this worth pursuing. Rated: 3/5 Mar 23, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (17) audience reviews
James K Fantastic performances by an all-star cast help amend the technical incompetence. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/25/20 Full Review dustin d The production value is a bit lacking, but the star-studded cast and performances are amazing. This is probably the best screen adaptation of this play. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A dream cast, a fairly traditional telling... not particularly inspired, but perhaps definitive. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member This version of Shakespeare's enduring comedy features the talents of The Royal Shakespeare company. Predictably, they all turn in expert performances (Especially Ian Holm as Puck). On the other hand, the production values are low and, aside from the surrealistic fairy scenes, the costumes and sets are notably drab. However, this version of the story, which loyally transcribes the Bard's dialogue, should have enough positive traits to entertain Shakespeare purists. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought most of the acting was faboo, and I appreciated being able to hear the lines. And the acting of the mini-play was hilarious. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Cheap, cheap, cheap production with bad green makeup. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Movie Info

Synopsis While preparations are underway for the marriage of Athenian duke Theseus (Derek Godfrey) and Amazon queen Hippolyta (Barbara Jefford), fairy king Oberon (Ian Richardson) and his tricky jester, Puck (Ian Holm), make mischief with the indiscriminate use of a powerful love potion. Lysander (David Warner) and Demetrius (Michael Jayston) both fall for Helena (Diana Rigg), raising the jealousy of Hermia (Helen Mirren), whose father is pressuring her to marry Demetrius despite Lysander's love for her.
Director
Peter Hall
Production Co
Filmways Pictures, Royal Shakespeare Enterprises Ltd.
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
2h 4m
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