Some time ago, @anaisbelieve on twitter asked for suggestions for Shakespeare adaptations to watch, and I'm using this meme pinched from S. to expand on my thoughts. The one's I've not seen yet have been skipped.
Originally I was going to something like this following the "Sword-fighting Films" series in the same format, but you've seen how long that's taking so I shall do it this way instead. Worst comes worst, it'll mean parts of the other posts might be ready.
With advanced warning that the correct answer on how to watch the pound for pound (or minute for minute) best Shakespeare adaptations is to get the BBC's Animated Shakespeare on DVD some adaptation recommendations.
Comedies:
Much Ado about Nothing: I am going to go with the obvious option, because there is a reason it is the obvious option.
My choice is the Emma Thompson/Kenneth Branagh version, because it is excellent. Not only do they make Dogberry abideable (I don't care if that isn't a real word), but the "Kill Claudio" scene works because everyone involved treats it as seriously as it needs to be treated. Because if Beatrice could, she'd do it herself, and Benedick loves Claudio but can't get out of the promise and he's going to go through with it ...
If you want something a little different but still very good, I recommend the Shakespeare Re:Told version with Sarah Parish and Damien Lewis. I don't like this version just because Hero doesn't end up with Claudio, although yes, that is definitely one of the biggest things in it's favour. The other main reason is that the leads have enough chemistry to make a houseful of students yell "just kiss already" at the TV.
Taming of the Shrew: I'll go with Shakespeare Re:Told here as well, because in it, she doesn't get any more reasonable, just less unrelentingly horrible. The Shrew is not tamed, merely redirected (and ends up being the Prime Minister). Rufus Sewell in a mini-skirt and eyeliner is an added bonus.
The Winter‘s Tale: The only version I've seen is the Animated Shakespeare one. I recommend.
Twelfth Night: I've seen it live in the Corn Exchange in Manchester, in the round. Where the front row had to wear pakamacs for reasons. It was a hoot, and is "the version in my mind's eye".
I've also seen the Animated Shakespeare version, and a National Theatre version during the COVID showings (thank you National Theatre). Also most of the Joan Plowright version, mostly in the right order (long story, but it was available on YouTube, and may still be).
None of these are bad, the live version is still my favourite though.
A Midsummer Night‘s Dream: Another one where the first version I saw was the Animated Shakespeare one. I've also seen a National Theatre version (once again, thank you National Theatre for putting them online over COVID), which did pleasingly tricksy things. Like, literally midway through a speech I went "oh that's what you've done". I have seen most of the Kevin Kline/Michelle Pfeiffer/various other people version, which also fills me with warm snuggly feelings, even if it has the most gloriously wistful bit with Bottom at the end.
Also during COVID I saw a Globe Theatre version online, which in grand traditional Globe style, I didn't quite like.
The Merchant of Venice: Like everyone else who answered these meme questions, I remember which play I got for exams. My GCSE English teacher chose this one out of the three options (this, Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth) because it had the least worst coursework essay question. (The question was "Shylock, victim or villain?" I'm not saying it was good, I'm saying it's better than "the use of words associated with weather to create an effect in Macbeth" and "how to stage (whichever scene it was) in Midsummer Night's Dream".)
That meant we got to read the play out (I got lumbered with Launcelot bloody Gobbo. My dislike of him is based on experience. My beloved English teacher didn't hate me, merely knew I could deal with his lines.).
On the other hand, it also means that I've yet to see a proper production of it without coursework hanging over it. Because we were supposed to watch the Olivier version but something happened (fire alarm most likely) and ... and ... and. I might have seen all of it in pieces but mostly thinking about aforementioned coursework essay.
I am aware that's an odd gap.
The Tempest: I do love the Animated Shakespeare version something rotten, even if they soften Ariel and Caliban. I didn't mind the recent(ish) Globe version, although Roger Allam is by some way the cuddliest Prospero (possibly a mite too cuddly, pers. opinion etc).
As You Like It: This is my favourite of the comedies, I think because everyone (except Jacques) gets a happy ending (and people like Jacques are never happy). It was my favourite even before I saw the excellent RSC version several years ago (everything about it was excellent, from the acting, to the music, to the lighting. Like I can still close my eyes and wrap myself up in the lighting effects if I think hard enough level good.)
I may have been biased by the first version I ever saw being the Helen Mirren one on VHS (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077180/).
Histories up next, where I have less positive comments about some versions.
