Titus (DVD)

In recent years, a new fashion has sprung up among filmmakers who have attempted to bring Shakespeare's works to the screen. No longer content to keep the plays bound to the historical eras in which they are set, many an adapter has chosen to transport the plots and dialogue virtually intact to either a completely modern setting or a strange never-never land that combines elements of the past with elements of the present. In just the last few years, we have seen this done with `Romeo and Juliet,' `Richard the Third' (albeit this one made it only as far as the 1940's) and even Kenneth Branagh's `Hamlet,' which, although also not exactly ...  Read the complete review

Titus Andronicus is not Shakespeare's worst play (try Pericles) but after being one of his most popular on the Elizabethan stage, its stock has fallen badly due to its ruthless brutality, violence and non-stop action. Betting that these qualities may have come back into vogue is not a bad risk. That doesn't make this a great play--there are dramatic problems that a director needs to solve. Aaron is a method actor's nightmare, a man with no motivation except a desire to be bad. A good director has to find a reason for his bitterness. Titus has the most ambivalent attitude toward his children; at the beginning of the play he seems to regret ...  Read the complete review

Although a little slow in picking up, once its up and running its a great film. Anthony Hopkins is good playing the usual Anthony Hopkins nutter type character, Harry Lennix as the villain Aaron is superb and the rest of the cast play their parts extremely well. The acting's all a little over the top but I'm sure Shakespeare would have approved, its not meant to be taken totally seriously. It was pulp fiction of its time, entertainment if you like for the post ale house Elizabethan stag night.... The story twists and turns all over the place. Is he mad, isn't he mad....will he cop it or won't he....You can take the characters as you find them ...  Read the complete review

Titus is an over-the-top modern adaptation of Shakespeare's violent Titus Andronicus - complete with orgies and a lipstick-wearing Roman Emperor. Anthony Hopkins does his Hannibal Lecter routine as the loony Roman general who must face the wrath of Tamora, Queen of the Goths (Jessica Lange), after killing her sons. Romeo and Juliet may have made Shakey accessible for youngsters, but this'll scare them off! Although the plot is 'over-the-top', the overall acting is quite good and the film itself is reasonably well directed. ...  Read the complete review

I watched an old version of Titus Andronicus when I was at school. It has to be one of the most gruesome films I have ever seen, but the new version due to be released on September 1st (rated 18) will probably be worse. It is directed by Julie Taymor and stars: Anthony Hopkins as Titus, a Roman general; and Jessica Lange as Tamora, Queen of the Goths. I won't spoil the plot for those who don't know it, but basically it is a film about revenge with lots of brutal murders in it. Titus conquers the Goths and so seeks a sacrifice to the gods. He chooses Tamora's oldest son and ignores her pleas for mercy. She vows to get revenge on Titus and the plot ...  Read the complete review