Silent Shakespeare (1909)
This collection of seven short films includes British versions of King John (1899), The Tempest (1908), and Richard III(1911); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1909) and Twelfth Night (1910) from the United States; and Italian productions of King Lear (1910) and The Merchant of Venice (1910). 88 minutes with music score.
**Cast:**Herbert Beerbohm Tree, Frank R. Benson, James Berry, Francesca Bertini, Alfred Brydone, Benson Constance, Maurice Costello, Olga Giannini Novelli, Gladys Hulette, Charles Kent, Clara Kimball Young, Erneste Novelli, William V. Ranous, and Julia Swayne Gordon.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
An all-star cast is featured in this Hollywood recreation of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy. James Cagney, Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, and Jean Muir are the star-crossed lovers; Mickey Rooney is the mischievous Puck, and Hugh Herbert, Joe E. Brown and Victor Jory are also featured. Max Reinhardt directs. 150 minutes.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968)
Diana Rigg, David Warner, Ian Richardson, Judi Dench, and Ian Holm star in Shakespeare’s farce, presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Mismatched lovers, supernatural beings, and some hearty belly laughs make up this classic film. 124 minutes.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1996)
Originally produced for British television, this lush and lyrical rendition of the Bard’s romantic fantasy features fine performances by a Royal Shakespeare Company cast that includes Lindsay Duncan as Hippolyta and Titania, Alex Jennings as Theseus and Oberon, Desmond Barrit as Bottom, and Barry Lynch as Puck. 103 minutes.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart, Stanley Tucci, Anna Friel, Dominic West, Christian Bale, Sophie Marceau, and David Strathairn star in this film directed by Michael Hoffman. 116 minutes.
