MovieChat Forums > ShakespeaRe-Told (2005) Discussion > Much Ado and the others...

Much Ado and the others...


Hello,
I love BBC productions and have been looking into buying some for my teens and I to watch, but I'm always leery because their ratings are (relaxed) different than ours. My daughter saw the play Much Ado and loved it, so I think she'll really enjoy this. I actually just asked this question about another BBC movie as well and since you've seen this I was wondering how much language is in this? As well as the sex scenes? Nowadays it's every where. I mean if they are not graphic I think it will be okay for my teens. Would you mind telling me which movies contain the language or sex scenes? That way I can screen them ahead of time to see if they're appropriate for my kids to watch with me. Thanks! :)

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Specifically Much Ado is pretty mild. It is a kitschy sort of re-telling of the story, which is obviously about two people falling in love. There some innuendo, but it is kind of like seeing a PG 13 film.

The others are about the same, and I can't think of anything too horrible that sticks out in my mind. Remember, they were made for TV in the UK....but, yes, they do have more relaxed standards for evening tv over there.

I think you'll be fine.

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Thank you so much for your time and the info! I appreciate it greatly! :)

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No problem! Hope you enjoy watching these...they are really good!

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I've seen all except "Much Adu they all have some "sex scenes". In Macbeth, Joe and his wife discuss murdering Duncan after a round. That's about as bad as it gets... with the exception of some innuendos, I believe. In Midsummer there is a scene between Hermia and Xander or rather right after. Also between Titania and Bottom, there " is some sound, but when you get around to seeing them, they're finished and "clothed", so you don't see anything. I think the most "graphic" is in Taming when Petruchio and Kate have their fabulous scene together where they almost have sex, but he restrains. You don't see anything, but it is quite graphic and almost like an assault, but if you watch closely you see that it isn't nearly as violent as it is if you're watching half-heartedly. I don't think it's THAT bad, but then again, it is your own preference.

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I know this is 9 years to late but....

I'm watching this production now and while it's an interesting modern take, there are better.

I would highly recommend the Joseph Papp New York Shakespeare production of Much Ado About Nothing with Sam Waterston and Kathleen Widdoes. It's a beautiful production. I waited a long time and finally got it on DVD. https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Shakespeare-Festival-Broadway-Theatre/dp/B00006RCMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486121965&sr=8-1&keywords=joseph+papp+much+ado+about+nothing

For Taming of the Shrew I recommend the San Francisco production with Marc Singer as Petrucchio. That was done in Comedia d'Art. https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Shrew-Broadway-Theatre-Archive/dp/B00006G8HO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486122053&sr=8-1&keywords=taming+of+the+shrew+marc+singer

For Dream I'm partial to the old black and white production with James Cagney, Olivia De Havelin, Mickey Rooney
https://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-James-Cagney/dp/B000QGE8JC/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1486122120&sr=8-14&keywords=midsummer+night%27s+dream
but the recent one with Kevin Kline has a lot to recommend it. I own both.
https://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Kevin-Kline/dp/6305622876/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1486122120&sr=8-7&keywords=midsummer+night%27s+dream

I really have no recommendations for MacBeth. I've seen quite a few productions and can't really recommend any of them. Not even the Olivier but that was the best of the bunch.

If you're interested, Hallmark did a very interesting production of Hamlet with Richard Chamberlain as Hamlet. He did an outstanding job considering he was so young at the time.
https://www.robertsvideos.com/product.php3?invid=67857&ref=/browse.php3?catid=172

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