decoats Reviews

The Tempest (1980 TV Movie)

excellent

[10/10 · 10 November 2006]

This is an excellent Tempest. I have just seen the Patrick Stewart in Ann Arbor with the Royal Shakespeare. Poor by comparison, but good enough in an of itself. Good storm here. In RSC this year (Michigan residency) they use a curtain with a CB radio, with a hole where the dial might be, and all the storm is sound effects, and all action for the storm is limited to what can be seen through this hole, 10 feet in diameter. A little weak for a storm. Stewart was rather good, but Miranda was weak, Pippa Guard here more qualifies as a goddess. See the play first, then see this DVD. Always read them first, so you know what you will see, then the play or DVD will flesh out the story for you. Ann Arbor Caliban was good, but Ariel was spooky, more frightening or threatening than ephemeral. 1980 Tempest (BBC) Dixon is an excellent Ariel, almost not clearly male or female, a spirit. Flying all the way to Ann Arbor to see the Tempest (also Julius Caesar) was a long trip. But worth it. Enchanting snow flurries there, nice to come back to warm L.A. RSC was very good, very well done, but you do not get the facial close ups like on the DVD. Shakespeare will live forever, because it is such intelligent thought provoking material. The plays are like children. There must be no favorites, just further study and thought on them. The question must never be, "did you enjoy the play (dvd)", but what did you THINK of the play. A massage is to enjoy, Shakespeare is to make you think.

Antony and Cleopatra (1972)

Very Good

[10/10 · 26 August 2006]

This is a beautiful production. Very lavish. Charleton Heston is excellent as Mark Antony. Directing is superb. All the cast is excellent. Compare this to Orson Welles production of "Othello". Was Charleton Heston responsible for the difference? Obviously there were others involved in both productions, but I believe Welles was plagued by lack of funds. It seems like Heston didn't have that problem. I don't know why? There is a sunny delightful brightness to this play/film, that cannot be portrayed on the stage. I wish he could have done all 37 Shakespeare. Well worth the price of admission. Who can replace these types of artists (Heston, Welles)? No one as yet.