THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (1980)

BBC Release

Details

• DVD Region: 2+4 PAL (UK & Europe)
• Certificate: U
• Running Time: Approx. 157 minutes
• Type: Fullscreen
• Originally Transmitted: 17th December 1980
• DVD Release Date: 2005
• Released By: BBC Worldwide Ltd.
• Distributed By: DD Home Entertainment
• Format: Colour DVD PAL
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Audio: Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3

© BBC Television in association with Time-Life
All Rights Reserved

A COMEDIE

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare’s plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought great performances from leading contemporary actors.

“If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you tickle us do we not laugh?
If you poison us do we not die?
And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

Antonio’s best friend, Bassanio, is in love with Portia, a wise and wealthy heiress, and needs three thousand ducats to press his suit. With Antonio’s wealth tied up in ships at sea, he approaches Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, who agrees to lend the money under the provision that Antonio shall forfeit a pound of his flesh if the debt is unpaid. When Antonio’s ships become wrecked, Shylock, the maligned Jew, calls for the debt to be settled.

The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies, celebrated for its captivating villain, Shylock. In a production full of contrasts and ambiguities, Warren Mitchell plays the moneylender with a finely balanced combination of wickedness and pathos – leaving the audience to decide whether he is a villain, a buffoon, or a tragic hero.

CAST

In Credits Order

• John Franklyn-Robbins ... Antonio
• John Rhys-Davies ... Salerio
• Alan David ... Solanio
• John Nettles ... Bassanio
• Richard Morant ... Lorenzo
• Kenneth Cranham ... Gratiano
• Gemma Jones ... Portia
• Susan Jameson ... Nerissa
• Daniel Mitchell ... Balthasar
• Warren Mitchell ... Shylock
• Marc Zuber ... Prince of Morocco
• Enn Reitel ... Launcelot Gobbo
• Joe Gladwin ... Old Gobbo
• Roger Martin ... Leonardo
• Leslee Udwin ... Jessica
• Peter Gale ... Prince of Arragon
• Richard Austin ... Antonio's Servant
• Arnold Diamond ... Tubal
• Douglas Wilmer ... Duke of Venice
• Shaun Scott ... Stephano
• Adrian Harman ... Musician

• Director: Jack Gold
• Produced: Jonathan Miller
• Adapted: William Shakespeare’s original play