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Despite reservations about seeing another film depicting the life of Shakespeare, Sir

Kenneth Branagh’s little known film excels at being different. As many other critics have

pointed out, the movie takes a few liberties while trying to present Shakespeare’s last days.

Branagh does an exceptional job of making it a personal affair, essential given he is telling

the story of Shakespeare’s last few days on Earth. The cast, consisting of well-known names

such as Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, are joined by  a few less recognisable names from the world of stage, such as Hadley Fraser. Notably, most members of the cast have performed with Branagh at one stage in their careers. The film presents

Shakespeare as a man plagued by the death of his son Hamnet. If anything, Branagh’s

measured grief as Shakespeare provides a counterbalance to the large, well-acted outbursts

by Kathryn Wilder. If you are not one of many scholars who has dedicated their life to

researching the life of the Bard and are intrigued by an interpretation of his last days, then

this film is more suited to you. You will also be the only person in the audience who won’t

inwardly groan at the dabble into modern day gender politics, made by Ben Elton.

 

The small film focuses on the direct family of Shakespeare, there are moments dealing with his wife (Judi Dench), his initially unmarried daughter Judith (Kathryn Wilder), as well as

with his married daughter Susanna (Lydia Wilson), and her husband (Hadley Fraser). Over

the course of the film, each character has a moment where their individual story is told, for

Judith, it is her path to becoming a married woman, for Susanna, it is her love affair and

consequent court case. There is also the predictably depicted villainy of radical Puritans,

who seem capable of one emotion only – anger. These little subplots are primarily what

drive the film, considering most of the time Shakespeare is wondering, working, or trying to

create a little garden. If you are a patient enough person, easily pleased by beautiful scenery

and well done cinematography as well as interested in a version of Shakespeare’s last days

then buy a ticket and enjoy the show.

 

Also, in case you were wondering, All Is True is the original name for Henry VIII, the

show that resulted in The Globe burning down from a badly aimed cannon.