I originally bought the VHS copy of this film on a trip to the UK many years ago (I had and still have a multi-system VHS player, so I could watch this) mainly because I collect Shakespeare on video ... and after watching it I was absolutely floored at how good a production this was. It begins with British school children watching a marionette production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (with the marionettes charmingly voiced by Derek Jacobi as "Duke Theseus" and Samantha Bond as "Hippolyta"), but when the character of "Hermia" begins to speak, one of the school girls leaps to her feet and begins to speak "Hermia"'s lines. From that point on, reality and Shakespeare's dream world merge and switch places. Dressed in Elizabethan costumes, these children (some of whom make up in enthusiasm what they lack in acting ability) are a treat to watch. None of Shakespeare's lines have been cut in this production, and the actors in this film don't have any formal training, but they do a wonderful job...a lot better, in my opinion, than some of the performers in previous or subsequent filmed versions of this play.
An unusual version of Shakespeare's comedy... and these kids will surprise you!
15 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers