William Shakespeare's The merchant of Venice

Author

Michael Radford

Call Number

• DVD DRAMA (CEN)

Edition

Widescreen version.

Performers

Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Mackenzie Crook.

Publication Information

Culver City, CA : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, c2005.

Physical Description

1 videodisc (131 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

Shylock has grown wealthy through money-lending, the only profession open to Jewish businessmen of the time, but faces indignity and danger when he ventures beyond the Jewish quarter. In the same city, though in a different world, lives Antonio, a Christian merchant beset by worry over the fate of his trading vessels and his increasing isolation from his best friend Bassanio. The younger man has fallen in love with the beautiful Portia, and seeks to go abroad to win her hand. When Antonio takes a loan from Shylock, a bond is sealed, the risk of which is one pound of Antonio's flesh. So when Antonio goes into debt to Shylock, the angst-ridden moneylender demands a pound of his flesh.

Notes

DVD format ; Dolby digital 5.1 surround.

Videodisc release of the 2004 motion picture.

Based on the play by William Shakespeare.

Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Rated R for some nudity.

In English with optional subtitles in French.

Special features include: Commentary ; behind-the-scenes making-of featurette ; web link to teacher's guide (for classroom study).