Cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare classics fall into two camps: the ones that stick to the original text and the ones accessible even to the ordinary moviegoer. This list explores both. (Curated by Sajin Shrijith)
Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of 'Macbeth' is his second-best collaboration with actor Toshiro Mifune after 'Seven Samurai'. Shot in stunning monochrome, it's among the most easily accessible films.
With every frame a painting, Kurosawa's adaptation of 'King Lear' is a tragedy of the grandest proportions. Masterfully shot and composed, with performances that bear influences of Japanese theatre, 'Ran' is essential viewing.
The casting coup pulled off here is every filmmaker's dream. With Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapur, 'Maqbool' is the finest adaptation of 'Macbeth' from Indian cinema, and one of the world's best.
Vishal Bharadwaj did it again three years later with another terrific adaptation of another Shakespeare creation, 'Othello'—a reminder of days when Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan used to do better films.
While on 'Othello', the best adaptation belongs to Malayalam cinema. Directed by Jayaraj and starring some of the industry's biggest names, the film transplants the story to Kerala, sublimely merging it with the 'theyyam' art form.
Theatrical to a 'T', director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's adaptation follows the original text closely, and features legends Marlon Brando (as Mark Antony), James Mason (as Marcus Brutus), and Louis Calhern as the eponymous fallen figure.
Shakespeare veteran Kenneth Branagh starred in and directed the adaptation of the relatively lighter, tragedy-free works of the Bard, alongside another thespian well-versed in his works, Denzel Washington. Also starring Emma Thompson and Keanu Reeves (!)
One of the best-looking monochrome films, this superbly composed Joel Coen directorial with Denzel Washington is a noir-tinged, German Expressionism-influenced masterwork that strictly adheres to the original text.