ENGL 339: Introduction to Shakespeare
Dr. Debora B. Schwartz

Shakespeare on Film:  Performance Analysis

Preliminary Remark:  Shakespeare's plays were never intended to be experienced solely as words on a page; they were intended for performance.  Watching a filmed or live performance of a given play cannot replace reading the play, but seeing a filmed (or live) performance can help you better understand, appreciate, and enjoy the written text.  You are encouraged to watch one or more filmed versions of all of the assigned plays as part of your preparation for this class. 

Performance Analysis Overview:  Any production of a play is the result of numerous interpretive decisions by the director, actors and production team.  The text may be altered -- lines, speeches or whole scenes modified or cut completely -- to correspond to the director's understanding of the play, to shorten a text, to provide greater clarity, or for some other reason.  The choice of setting (ancient Athens? Shakespeare's England? San Francisco during the Summer of Love? the bedroom of a little boy who has fallen asleep reading the play?) immediately telegraphs the director's vision, as do the sort of actors who are cast (physical types, age, etc.), the ways in which they are are costumed, and their blocking (how, when and why they move about the stage). 

As you consider the films which are required viewing for the class (and the additional film clips shown in class during video discussions), note specific details from the performances (e.g.the  physical appearance of the actors, the actors' onstage movement and actions, called "blocking" and choreography, i.e. dance moves, if applicable; etc.)  Also pay attention to non-verbal elements we can collectively refer to as production values: the locations or stage sets, the lighting and sound design, the use of props, the actors' costumes and make-up, etc.  When analyzing a performance, it's important to pay attention to all of these details and consider how they communicate a specific interpretation of Shakespeare's text.

There is a Performance Analysis component for three assigned plays:  A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry V, and Hamlet.  You will be asked to screen a specific film version of the play (listed below) on your own time, prior to the Video Discussion day (date found on the Calendar of Assignments). 

After screening the required film, you must complete a Video Analysis Worksheet (available for download on Polylearn) where you will record your observations about the specific assigned film.  The filled out Video Analysis Worksheet is a lower-stakes writing assignment which, like your Mini-Essays and Classmate Responses, is not assigned an individual grade, but is REQUIRED -- failure to post it to your PolyLearn Discussion group before  our class meeting on Video Discussion day counts as an "unexcused absence" which will impact the 20% Participation, Intellectual Engagement, and Collaboration component of your final course grade.

On Video Discussion day, we will discuss as a class the elements of the assigned film that you were asked to consider on the Video Analysis Worksheet.  Based upon our observations, we will consider as a class how the Director and Production Team for the required film interpreted Shakespeare's text.  For this discussion to be productive, you should bring a print-out or an electronic copy of your filled out Video Analysis Worksheet with you to class so you can share your observations and add additional notes based upon class discussion.

As part of our Performance Analysis discussion, we will screen clips from other film versions of the  play and consider the interpretive choices made in those films.  You will need to take careful notes about the film clips shown in class, as they are an integral part of the Performance Analysis component of this class (and will be covered on exams).  The films from which clips are shown in class are listed below, and when possible are available for check-out from the ENGL 339 Course reserves at the Kennedy Library Circulation Desk.

Required Films for Performance Analysis

  NOTE 1: The link on the play title takes you to the Internet Movie Database page for the play (which list multiple filmed versions).
NOTE 2: The first film listed for each play is the Required Film  assigned for this class.  Other recommended films (from which clips may be shown in class) are listed chronologically. One or more DVD (and some VHS) copies of each of these films are available on reserve for ENGL 339 at the Kennedy Library Circulation Desk; BBC Shakespeare's plays can be accessed electronically through the Kennedy Library website (Cal Poly log-in required). 

1) A Midsummer Night's Dream [Link to Internet Movie Database page listing multiple filmed versions]

Required Version (group screenings will be scheduled outside of class time, or see on your own):

A Midsummer Night's DreamThe 1996 Royal Shakespeare Company stage version, directed by Adrian Noble.  The cast is made up of excellent stage actors largely unknown to U.S. audiences.  Full cast listed in the IMDb. DVD copies are on Reserve for ENGL 339 at the Kennedy library Circulation desk under the call number 822.33 M584N6 2002 (DVD); this film may also be available from public libraries or look for it online through Amazon, NetFlix, YouTube, or other streaming services. (The image at left is the cover of the DVD of this REQUIRED film.) REQUIRED VIEWING FOR ALL STUDENTS.

OTHER RECOMMENDED VERSIONS (listed chronologically; includes films from which clips shown in class are taken; most are on Reserve for ENGL 339 at the Kennedy library circulation desk; BBC Shakespeare's plays can be accessed electronically through the Kennedy Library website):



While only the 1996 Royal Shakespeare Company version directed by Adrian Noble is REQUIRED viewing for all students, selected scenes from the other films listed above will be screened in class, and you are encouraged to watch one or more of the others in its entirety. Students are responsible for specific scenes from the above recommended films which are screened during class.

2) Henry V: [Link to Internet Movie Database page listing multiple filmed versions]

 Required Version (group screenings will be scheduled outside of class time, or see on your own):

Henry V (The Criterion Collection)

The 1944 film (137 min.) directed by and starring Laurence Olivier as Henry V; other cast members include noted composer and stage actor Anthony Newley (in his first movie role) as the Boy in the English camp.  Full cast listed in the IMDb.  A DVD and a VHS copy are on Reserve for ENGL 339 in the Kennedy library; it can be rented from Amazon Prime for $3.99.  A beautifully remastered version is available from the Criterion Collection (subscription streaming service) but any version of Olivier's film that you can access is acceptable.  REQUIRED VIEWING FOR ALL STUDENTS.

 (The image at left is the cover of the Criterion Collection DVD of this REQUIRED film.) 

OTHER RECOMMENDED VERSIONS (listed chronologically; includes films from which clips shown in class are taken; most are on Reserve for ENGL 339 at the Kennedy library circulation desk; BBC Shakespeare's plays can be accessed electronically through the Kennedy Library website):

While only the 1994 Laurence Olivier film is REQUIRED viewing for all students, selected scenes from the other films listed above may be screened in class, and you are encouraged to watch one or more of them in its entirety (personal recommendation: Branagh!).  Students are responsible for specific scenes from the above recommended films which are screened during class.

3) Hamlet: [Link goes to Internet Movie Database page listing multiple filmed versions]

 Required Version (group screenings will be scheduled outside of class time, or see on your own):

Hamlet The 1948 theatrical release (155 min.) directed by and starring Laurence Olivier as Hamlet; other cast members include Eileen Herlie as Gertrude, Basil Sydney as Claudius, and Jean Simmons as Ophelia.  Full cast listed in the IMDb.  A DVD and a VHS copy are on Reserve for ENGL 339 in the Kennedy library; it can be rented from Amazon Prime for $3.99.  A beautifully remastered version is available from the Criterion Collection (subscription streaming service) but any version of Olivier's film that you can access is acceptable.  REQUIRED VIEWING FOR ALL STUDENTS.

 (The image at left is the cover of the Criterion Collection DVD of this REQUIRED film.) 

OTHER RECOMMENDED VERSIONS (listed chronologically; includes films from which clips shown in class are taken; most are on Reserve for ENGL 339 at the Kennedy library circulation desk; BBC Shakespeare's plays can be accessed electronically through the Kennedy Library website):

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY:  here are links to video questions used in the past for the Performance Analysis component of this class.  These pages have not been revised since I am no longer using these assignments; they are provided FYI to suggest some elements to look for in a filmed (or live) performance of the listed play.

Contents of this and all linked pages Copyright Debora B. Schwartz, 1999-2020