Compilation/Packaged Set: Silent Shakespeare
Barcode 014381922424
Release Date 1999

Such stuff as dreams are made on... In the early days of cinema, pioneer filmmakers created these seven films based on the plays of William Shakespeare. Considered a "lowbrow" medium, the fledgling movie industry sought to elevate its status by immortalizing the classics and hiring the greatest actors of the day. As most of these early photoplays were only one or two reels long, adapting the Bard proved to be both challenging and inspiring. Digitally restored by the British Film Institute.

Principal entry

This DVD features:

  1. King John (Britain, 1899),
  2. The Tempest (Britain, 1908),
  3. A Midsummer Night's Dream (USA, 1909),
  4. King Lear (Italy, 1910),
  5. Twelfth Night (USA, 1910),
  6. The Merchant of Venice (Italy, 1910),
  7. Richard III (Britain, 1911).
King John
 (1899)
Drama, Short, Silent
In Collection
#1173
5*
Seen It:  Yes
(10/14/2017 Home)
IMDB   5.0
1 mins USA / Silent
DVD  Region 1
Herbert Beerbohm Tree King John
Dora Tulloch Prince Henry
Charles Sefton Arthur
…
Director
Walter Pfeffer Dando
William K.L. Dickson
Herbert Beerbohm Tree
Writer William Shakespeare
Herbert Beerbohm Tree


Once thought lost forever, this is the earliest known film of any Shakespeare play. Derived from the Her Majesty’s Theatre production of King John, this surviving fragment contains only one scene, although the original presented four scenes and ran at four minutes in duration. (BFI)
Edition Details
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Location Personal Library - Silent Shakespeare
Owner Deitz
References
Streaming, VoD YouTube
IMDb Voters <500

Notes
This film is of principal interest to student of film history· It is a fragment.