William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Photos

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Cast

Calista Flockhart
as Helena

Kevin Kline
as Nick Bottom

Rupert Everett
as Oberon

Michelle Pfeiffer
as Titania

Christian Bale
as Demetrius

Dominic West
as Lysander

Anna Friel
as Hermia

David Strathairn
as Theseus

Stanley Tucci
as Puck

Sophie Marceau
as Hippolyta

Roger Rees
as Peter Quince

Bernard Hill
as Egeus

Bill Irwin
as Tom Snout

Sam Rockwell
as Francis Flute

John Sessions
as Philostrate

Max Wright
as Robin Starveling

Gregory Jbara
as Snug

Deirdre Harrison
as Hard-Eye Fairy

Heather Elizabeth Parisi
as Bottom's Wife

Annalisa Cordone
as Cobweb

Paola Pessot
as Mustardseed

Solena Nocentini
as Moth

Flaminia Fegarotti
as Peaseblossom

Velerio Isidori
as Master Antonio

Daniele Finizio
as Dangerous Boy

Damiano Salvatori
as Dangerous Boy

Chomoke Bhuiyan
as Changeling Boy

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Critic Reviews for William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Audience Reviews for William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

• Oct 27, 2012

  Not highbrow -- just weird.
  Christian C Super Reviewer
• Apr 10, 2011

  A great take on a Shakespeare classic. Full review later.
  Thomas B Super Reviewer
• Mar 14, 2011

  As a rule, I dont like to watch any William Shakespeare adaptations until I have read the play first. Having just finished reading this classic comedy/love story, I was eager to see it on screen like I am of any of the screen adaptations of his wonderful works. This however, isn't as good as the great master deserves. While preparing for the wedding of Duke Theseus (David Strathairn) to Hippolyta (Sophie Marceau) a group of actors including Bottom the Weaver (Kevin Kline) rehearse an amature play for the forthcoming betrothal while forbidden lovers Hermia (Anna Friel) and Lysander (Dominic West) run away together, pursued by Demetrius (Christian Bale) and Helena (Calista Flockhart). Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Faerie King Oberon (Rupert Everett) wants to get at his wife Queen Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer). He dispatches malicious 'sprite' Puck (Stanley Tucci) on a mission to humiliate his Queen. En route Puck can't resist messing with the mortals lost in the woods also, ensuring all sorts of confusion. Director Michael Hoffman's take transports us from ancient Greece to late-19th-century Italy (complete with newly invented bicycles) and I have to say, it works. The sets and costumes are absolutely stunning, drawing you into the magical and mystical land of the faeries. He addresses it with the same playful tone that Kenneth Branagh captured for his adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing" and also like that, uses the same mix of both American and British actors who are perfectly suited to their roles. It's a lush and extravagant production, infused with Shakespeare's humour but something doesn't quite click. The mock Pyramus play at end is way overlong and almost grinds the film to halt. The only positive is that this is when the underused Sam Rockwell gets a chance to contribute something, but by then it's too little too late. As David Strathairn's 'Theseus' says around this time "No epilogue I pray you..." if only he'd said this 15 mins earlier, we could have had a satisfying ending. It's classic Shakespeare that, shockingly, hasn't had a decent adaptation yet. This is the best so far, but for fans of the great playwrite only. It captures the look but doesn't quite capture the heart.
  Mark W Super Reviewer
• Jan 12, 2011

  Though the acting is right on, and the enchanting direction of the director is showing very well, the chemistry between the actors takes this all star cast down a level.
  

  Bryce I Super Reviewer

William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Quotes

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