British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Understanding Shakespeare: His Sources

Synopsis
Shows how Shakespeare’s plays grew out of the many elements available to him. The background of English rural life is shown: his home, school and Warwickshire countryside. Shakespeare is seen in London searching in libraries for subjects for the plays he was writing. He discovers the work of Plutarch and Holinshed, watches the plays of rival authors and is influenced by the visiting ‘Commedia dell’ Arte’. On a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre stage a number of extracts from the plays are enacted.
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Video
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1971
Duration
20 mins

Credits

Director
George Murcell; W Hugh Baddeley
Writer
Clement Bending; W Hugh Baddeley
Contributor
Richard Bebb
Cast
Ishia Bennison 
James Bree 

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
biographies; Globe Theatre; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
The film was released in both colour and black and white in the US.
History
Released in the United States by Coronet Instructional Films.
Uses
Secondary and further education.

Production Company

Name

Gateway Educational Films

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division

Web
http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window
Phone
(20) 707-8572
Fax
(20) 707-237’1
Address
Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Viewtech Educational Media

Contact
Lynda Morrell
Notes
NB. Viewtech ceased trading in 2014 and the company’s products are no longer in distribution For over 30 years Viewtech distributed programmes from leading specialist educational producers from around the world and since 2002 it included titles previously distributed in the UK by Educational Media Film & Video. The extensive collection covered all subjects within the primary and secondary curriculum and some materials, particularly in the areas of study skills and business, are applicable to further/higher education.

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