Shakespeare can be said to have revitalised the revenge tragedy in his times, with a number of his plays fitting into that genre category. And while dozens of films have been made based on his plays of all genres, his first tragedy, Titus Andronicus, has rarely been adapted to film. War, defeat, rape, murder and revenge all coalesce in Titus, Julie Taymor's incredible directorial debut starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange as Roman leader Titus and Tamora, queen of the Goths respectively, who find themselves locked in an escalating battle with one another after Titus defeats her on the battlefield. Titus is without a doubt one of the most bloody and gruesome revenge thrillers ever made; with hands severed, tongues ripped out and people gutted like pigs - it's certainly not for the squeamish. It's also an exceptionally good-looking production, with a design which merges 1930s fascist architecture and Nazi stormtrooper-like costume design with the grandiose look of ancient Rome. As you'd expect, the all-star cast relish their characters, chewing up the scenery, but not before they've done their very best to try and chew each other up first.
