12 Best Film Adaptations Of Shakespeare's Tragedies

Based On: Titus Andronicus

Adaptation:

This retains the plot and dialogue of the play, but moves it from Ancient Rome into an anachronistic fantasy world which mixes classical and modern imagery.

This is an interesting case, since Titus Andronicus is one of Shakespeare's less popular plays, which isn't surprising. It's a good text that has some hints of Shakespeare's subsequent greatness, but there are several flaws. The plot of the play, evidently echoing the bloody Revenge Tragedies of the time, is basically 'everyone kills everyone'. The characters are cardboard, the story is simplistic and certain elements such as an honor killing scene have ensured the play hasn't aged well.

Titus, directed by Julie Taymor (the creator of The Lion King musical) is in an odd position: this time, it's perhaps held back by the Shakespearean source being weaker than normal. In the end, it falls to the actors and cinematic elements to carry the film; luckily, this has a great cast and crew behind it. The performances are mostly excellent, with Anthony Hopkins delivering a towering performance in the title role, while the film's cinematography and production design are also great.

The film has issues, such as Johnathan Rhys-Meyers' odd performance, an excessive length and a couple of meta-theatrical elements, such as the appearance of an audience at the end, that don't really work, but for the most part it's a bonkers, depraved, moving and thoroughly entertaining adaptation that remains highly underrated.