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A Midsummer Night's Dream

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While preparations are underway for the marriage of Athenian duke Theseus (Derek Godfrey) and Amazon queen Hippolyta (Barbara Jefford), fairy king Oberon (Ian Richardson) and his tricky jester, Puck (Ian Holm), make mischief with the indiscriminate use of a powerful love potion. Lysander (David Warner) and Demetrius (Michael Jayston) both fall for Helena (Diana Rigg), raising the jealousy of Hermia (Helen Mirren), whose father is pressuring her to marry Demetrius despite Lysander's love for her.
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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Critics Reviews

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Penelope Houston The Spectator 04/11/2016
Mr Hall's halfway house between screen and stage looks almost as uncomfortable a perch as the curious grave-like earthwork in which Judy Dench's Titania has her sleeping-quarters. Go to Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 05/23/2007
4.5/5
The ultimate in respectfully radical Shakespeare adaptations -- it presents the story in purely 1960s terms; respectful in that it includes nearly all of Shakespeare's text. Go to Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat 03/23/2005
3/5
A dream cast makes this worth pursuing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James K 04/25/2020 Fantastic performances by an all-star cast help amend the technical incompetence. See more dustin d 11/07/2016 The production value is a bit lacking, but the star-studded cast and performances are amazing. This is probably the best screen adaptation of this play. See more 12/31/2012 A dream cast, a fairly traditional telling... not particularly inspired, but perhaps definitive. See more 06/15/2012 This version of Shakespeare's enduring comedy features the talents of The Royal Shakespeare company. Predictably, they all turn in expert performances (Especially Ian Holm as Puck). On the other hand, the production values are low and, aside from the surrealistic fairy scenes, the costumes and sets are notably drab. However, this version of the story, which loyally transcribes the Bard's dialogue, should have enough positive traits to entertain Shakespeare purists. See more 03/04/2012 I thought most of the acting was faboo, and I appreciated being able to hear the lines. And the acting of the mini-play was hilarious. See more 07/02/2011 Cheap, cheap, cheap production with bad green makeup. See more Read all reviews
A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Hall

Director

Derek Godfrey

Theseus

Barbara Jefford

Hippolyta

Diana Rigg

Helena

Nicholas Selby

Egeus

Hugh Sullivan

Philostrate
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A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While preparations are underway for the marriage of Athenian duke Theseus (Derek Godfrey) and Amazon queen Hippolyta (Barbara Jefford), fairy king Oberon (Ian Richardson) and his tricky jester, Puck (Ian Holm), make mischief with the indiscriminate use of a powerful love potion. Lysander (David Warner) and Demetrius (Michael Jayston) both fall for Helena (Diana Rigg), raising the jealousy of Hermia (Helen Mirren), whose father is pressuring her to marry Demetrius despite Lysander's love for her.
Director
Peter Hall
Production Co
Filmways Pictures, Royal Shakespeare Enterprises Ltd.
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
2h 4m
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