He brings to the material a fresh perspective that puts the comedic events in the late victorianera, a choice that makes the story more contemporary without forcing the effort. Grant, mel smith, imogen stubbs, imelda staunton, and toby stephens. Overall i think i prefer the interpretation that kenneth branaghs renaissance theatre company gave twelfth night in the 1988 tv play, though i had some problems with that which thankfully, nunns adaptation corrects. The director trevor nunn had the idea of having them interpreted by a man steven mackintosh and a woman imogen stubbs. A filmed for television version of trevor nunns minimalist royal shakespeare company production, restaged on a sound stage. Trevor nunns screenplay together with an extensive introduction and production stills was published to coincide with the films release in 1996. Twelfth night sits among the too many movies from shakespeares works. Trevor nunns new film version of twelfth night, a lighthearted comedy of romance and gender confusion, creates a romantic triangle out of the same sorts of mistaken sexual identities that inspired some like it hot.
Done on a tight budget and using few sets, this twelfth night doesnt have the grandeur one expects from filmed shakespeare. The costume and set it simple there is little to distracted the viewer from the story. And nunn directs it in something of the same spirit. Twelfth night original soundtrack original soundtrack. Twelfth night, or what you will is a romantic comedy by william shakespeare, believed to have been written around 16011602 as a twelfth night s entertainment for the close of the christmas season.
Filmed on the coast of cornwall it stars helen bonham carter, richard e. Grant as sir andrew aguecheek, nigel hawthorne as malvolio, and. Critical assessment of trevor nunns twelfth night and. Twelfth night, or what you will is a romantic comedy by william shakespeare, believed to have been written around 16011602 as a twelfth nights entertainment for the close of the christmas season. Twelfth night 1988 film wikimili, the best wikipedia reader.
Adrian nobles disappointing new film, a version of his successful stage production of a midsummer nights dream, suggests that when the going gets tough, it might sometimes be better simply to give up. It is, as herb coursen writes, one of the more straightforward translations of a shakespeare script to film 199. Shakespeares comic, romantic tale of loss and love, disguise and gender takes on haunting, autumnal tones. Trevor nunns giddy twelfth night barbara shulgasser, examiner movie critic. Trevor nunns macbeth 1979 macbeth was the first shakespeare play i read in depth in school, although reading it now again, four years later, im rather impressed with the ability of my fourteenyearold self to totally miss the point.
Set in the late 19th century, it was filmed on location in cornwall, including scenes shot at padstow and at lanhydrock house near bodmin, with. Updated to the victorian late nineteenthcentury and filled with colorful cornwall landscapes, trevor nunn imbues this surprisingly cinematic twelfth night with a sense of adventure as well as a pervasive melancholy. Trevor nunns beautifully photographed and acted, deftly written film is one of the most enjoyable adaptations of a shakespeare play ever made. Theres something verboten in illyria the new york times. On twelfth night s first day of shooting, the director trevor nunn filmed the scene in which viola and co scramble ashore after their shipwreck and hide in coastal woods. Or, what you will trevor nunns popular 1996 film stars imogen stubbs viola, helena bonham carter olivia, and ben kingsley feste. Trevor nunns new film version of twelfth night, a lighthearted comedy of romance and gender confusion, creates a romantic triangle out of. Twelfth night is a classic shakespeare play that has been turned into a big screen film by english theatre director, trevor nunn. Or what you will is a 1996 britishamericanirish film adaptation of william shakespeare s play, directed by trevor nunn and featuring an allstar cast. Twelfth night or what you will 1996 twelfth night or. Or, what you will trevor nunn s popular 1996 film stars imogen stubbs viola, helena bonham carter olivia, and ben kingsley feste. Nov 15, 1996 done on a tight budget and using few sets, this twelfth night doesnt have the grandeur one expects from filmed shakespeare. A stirring orchestral score for trevor nunns filmed version of twelfth night, released by fine line features in the u. Set in the late 19th century, it was filmed on location in cornwall, including scenes shot at padstow and at lanhydrock house near bodmin, with orsino and his followers wearing uniforms that evoke the austrohungarian empire.
When it was over, she announced that she liked it better than kenneth branaghs twelfth night, and despite a couple of reservations, i think i have to agree with her. Twelfth night or what you will 1996 video detective. The second artistic director of the royal shakespeare company, he took over from peter hall in 1968. While the time period for the film version has been changed from that of shakespeares play nunn, better known for directing stage productions, has chosen a 19thcentury setting, listeners had hoped for a more compact musical outing, with the presence of more antique.
Trevor nunns 1996 adaptation of twelfth night doesnt stray too far from the original comedy about mad romances complicated by gender confusion. Trevor nunns energetic 1996 tilt at this noisy, affectionate tale shows that a lush, fullbore screen treatment of twelfth night was long overdue. Other topics submitted by shanelleb5 words 90 pages 6. Nunns vision seems to be a modern take on a timeless celebration of love whereas others like kenneth branaghs 1987 version used elizabethan settings and historical ideas and themes like courtly love and puritanism to show twelfth nights simple reality as a problem play which nunn attempts to whitewash. Gender trouble in twelfth night casey charles, university of montana see also, twelfth night criticism and volumes 34 and 85. Dominick, cornwall, england, uk quayside taverninterior of orsinos castle lanhydrock. Twelfth night viola and olivia garden scene gren youtube.
Through about the first half, i found myself asking why more filmmakers eager to adapt shakespeare dont opt for the comedies, since verbal wit and farcical ploys are often better served by the screen than are long, poetic exegeses of complex moral. Feb 25, 2019 twelfth night also known as twelfth night. This essay will explore the character representation and miseenscene of each film. Trevor nunns interprtation of twelfth night to shakespeare in. This is a british star studded cast production of shakespeare s twelfth night directed by trevor nunn and the best you could see. Set in the 18th century, this is a very british version of shakespeares romantic comedy. Twelfth night by trevor nunn screen play 1687 words. The play centres on the twins viola and sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. On twelfth nights first day of shooting, the director trevor nunn filmed the scene in which viola and co scramble ashore after their shipwreck and hide in coastal woods. Characterization violacesario how necessary is the willing suspension of disbelief for stubbs gender bending to work. Trevor nunns interpretation of disguise gave the audience a sense of understanding of his. British theater director trevor nunn brings out the glee in this play at least in part by peopling it with. Twelfth night, or, what you will is a videotaped 1988 television adaptation of kenneth branaghs stage production for the renaissance theatre company of william shakespeares twelfth night first broadcast in the uk by itv on 30 december 1988. Nunn s vision seems to be a modern take on a timeless celebration of love whereas others like kenneth branaghs 1987 version used elizabethan settings and historical ideas and themes like courtly love and puritanism to show twelfth night s simple reality as a problem play which nunn attempts to whitewash.
Nunn set his film in the late 19th century, filmed on location in cornwall, and cast several major stars, including richard e. Watch twelfth night online free 1996 full hd movie 02. I thought that it was sure to be a winning combination, so i had very high expectations as i sat down to watch it with my sister. Twelfth night was directed by trevor nunn and made in 1996. Trevor nunn s screenplay together with an extensive introduction and production stills was published to coincide with the films release in 1996. Released amidst a flurry of innovative shakespeare films, trevor nunn s 1996 film of twelfth night can seem stodgy, retro, or just dull in comparison. This is the fifth part of a weekly fivepart series of writings on shakespeare in film.
Trevor nunn has fashioned a deliciously playful and entertaining screen interpretation of william shakespeares comedy twelfth night. Twelfth night, or what you will introduction shmoop. Twelfth night critics consensus director trevor nunn makes some questionable choices, but his stellar cast which includes helena bonhamcarter, ben kingsley, and nigel hawthorne more than. Apr 10, 2018 trevor nunns 1996 adaptation of twelfth night doesnt stray too far from the original comedy about mad romances complicated by gender confusion. Shakespeares comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.
With trevor nunns 1996 film of twelfth night we come to a crossroads at which converges virtually everything that has come before in filmed shakespeare. Trevor nunn s new film version of twelfth night, a lighthearted comedy of romance and gender confusion, creates a romantic triangle out of the same sorts of mistaken sexual identities that inspired some like it hot. With ian mckellen, judi dench, john woodvine, bob peck. Twelfth night is a 1996 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play, directed by trevor nunn and. Stubbs often appears in his productions, including the 1996 twelfth night film. Expertly cast and consistently wellplayed, the romance is delightful and the low comedy is at least amusing, with the two principals viola and olivia portrayed with. His fascinating introduction to the published screenplay for the film is a story of disappointments. Twelfth night by trevor nunn, 97804712806, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Released amidst a flurry of innovative shakespeare films, trevor nunns 1996 film of twelfth night can seem stodgy, retro, or just dull in comparison. Viola who is disguised as cesario falls in love with duke orsino, who in turn is in love with countess olivia. I love twelfth night and i love trevor nunn, so i was very excited to see this movie.
Surprisingly, nunn has never directed twelfth night in the theatre. William shakespeare and trevor nunn screen play genres. He has cast some of englands finest actors and comic talents, including helena bonham carter, nigel hawthorne, ben kingsley, richard e. The emergence of queer studies in the academy has led to many influential rereadings of renaissance works, including those of shakespeare.
An excellent cast features ben kingsley, helena bonham carter, and nigel hawthorne. Overview of twelfth night, 1996, directed by trevor nunn, with helena bonham carter, richard e. New twelfth night comedy with a dark side the spokesman. Twelfth night 1988 film wikimili, the best wikipedia. Or what you will is a 1996 british film adaptation of william shakespeares play, directed by trevor nunn and featuring an allstar cast. The film was mounted by trevor nunn, for 20 years a mainstay of the royal shakespeare company. Filmed along the bleak coast of cornwall, a setting that amply supports nunns serious, almost melancholic conception of the comedy, this twelfth night is far removed from the rollicking. Trevor nunns 1996 film of twelfth night offers a warm embrace for a good while, endearing itself swiftly and gamely, without seeming overzealous.
Nunn directed a modern production of shakespeares hamlet in 2004, which starred ben whishaw in the title role, and imogen stubbs as gertrude, and was staged at the old vic theatre in london. Trevor nunn, acclaimed director of 30 of shakespeares 37 plays, takes you through the otherworldly and supernatural in the tempest. Watch twelfth night or what you will 1996 movie online. Trevor nunn and his adaptation of twelfth night isaac quentin. Audrey tinkham characterization malvolio what kind of man is malvolio. Aug 04, 2018 twelfth night also known as twelfth night. Twelfth night or what you will 1996 twelfth night or what. Or what you will is a 1996 britishamericanirish film adaptation of william shakespeares play, directed by trevor nunn and featuring an allstar cast. Twelfth night is a 1996 britishamericanirish film adaptation of william shakespeares play, directed by trevor nunn and featuring an allstar cast.
British filming locations for the movie twelfth night 1996 including maps, screenshots, and other nearby film locations. Cartoon shakespeare offers twelfth night the comic book by artist john howard. Usually, and sensibly, the twins sebastian and viola are played on the stage by the same actress. It is beautifully filmed and not only immensely enjoyable for people who know and love shakespeare but a marvellous introduction to him for children. Trevor nunns interprtation of twelfth night to shakespeare. Trevor nunn obviously worked really hard to make sure this worked as a film in its own right, not just the play welded to the cinema. Set in the late 19th century, it was filmed on location in cornwall, including scenes shot at padstow and at lanhydrock house near bodmin, with orsino and his. Trevor nunn s 1996 film of twelfth night offers a warm embrace for a good while, endearing itself swiftly and gamely, without seeming overzealous. William shakespeares twelfth night is a masterful meditation on the comic and tragic effects of fluid emotions such as infatuation, ecstasy, and intoxication trevor nunns twelfth night, on the other hand, is a confused mess that so utterly misses the intent and tone of the original work, i struggle to conceive of a worse adaption. Nunn s best contributions come in the casting department. The comic agonies of viola and sebastians separation seem made for the screen. The film adaptation of twelfth night is a light hearted comedy of love, exuberance, drunkenness, deception and mistaken identity. Shakespeares last play, the tempest, is considered his farewell.
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