British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Venus

Synopsis
Feature film. Maurice Russell (O’Toole) is a fading, ailing, not very famous actor who meets his friend’s grandniece, Jessie (Whittaker), a surly girl in her early twenties. They form a friendship which touches on love. In one scene O’Toole recites ‘Is this a dagger I see before me’ (perhaps a reference to O’Toole’s notorious performance as Macbeth at the Old Vic Theatre in 1980) and later recites Sonnet 18 ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ as Jessie bathes.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain; United States
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
2006
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Credits

Director
Roger Michell
Producer
Kevin Loader
Cinematographer
Haris Zambarloukos
Screenplay
Hanif Kureishi
Production Design
John-Paul Kelly
Cast
Jodie Whittaker 
Leslie Phillips 
Peter O’Toole 
Richard Griffiths 
Vanessa Redgrave 

Production Company

Name

Free Range Films

Distributor (Sale)

 

Available from retail outlets

View this record on the Shakespeare site for additional details

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 356 times.