Search - Shakespeare in Love on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Questionable for Children, Sexual Situations, Suitable for Teens Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 08/10/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 2 mins Studio: Walt Disney Video Members Wishing: 12 Genres: Comedy Drama, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Period Film, Showbiz Comedy See Also: Shakespeare in Love [Special Edition]

William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush), owner of "The Rose," a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors, but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact, he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus, the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe, desperate to stave off another round of hot-coals-to-feet application, stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is, "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head, which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile, the lovely Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is an ardent theatre-goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and, not incidentally, Bill himself. Alas, she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it, using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination, so, too, does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet. ~ Merle Bertrand, All Movie Guide

Joseph Fiennes - William Shakespeare
Gwyneth Paltrow - Viola De Lesseps
Geoffrey Rush - Philip Henslowe
Judi Dench - Elizabeth I

It's generally thought that only the big sci-fi and action films get the top quality transfers, but that is not always the case. =Shakespeare In Love is a perfect example. Image quality on this Collector's Series disc is as good as it gets, with an amazing anamorphic transfer framed at the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. It's a flawless image with rich colors, perfect contrast, and deep blacks. The main audio is presented in an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track, and as expected for a film such as this, there isn't any significant use of the surround speakers. Regardless, it sounds wonderful, with distinct clarity and no distortion. In addition, there is a French-language track. Though this film was originally released as a basic disc with minimal extras, Miramax wisely re-released this Oscar winner as a special edition. Two audio commentary tracks are the highlight, the first from director John Madden and the second from numerous cast and crew members. Both are well presented and offer a wealth of information about their involvement in making the film. In addition, this disc includes a 20-minute featurette called "Shakespeare in Love and on Film" which is far too much fluff and little hard information about the making of the film. Even shorter, at four minutes, is a featurette that offers some insight into Sandy Powell and her award-winning costumes. The deleted scenes listed on the box are a bit misleading. In actuality they comprise three extended scenes already in the film and one blooper, which is rather humorous. Rounding things off are some Shakespeare facts, 21 television spots, and the theatrical trailer. A great film deserves a special disc, and Miramax has done just that. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide