BEST OF THE BARD

As best as I can tell, there are about 250 movies of Shakespeare’s plays. Here’s one man’s vote for the very best. 
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) is about the most fun of any Shakespearian movie. It was produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also stars along with his then-wife Emma Thompson. Also along for the ride are Denzel Washington, Keanu Reaves, Robert Sean Leonard and Kate Beckinsale (her first part!). The plot is a wonderful mish-mash of mistaken identities, mistaken partnering, and much hilarity. You could not do better for an introduction to the Bard than this film. And it so happens that 20 years later (2013) we had a new version, spiffed up and modern, but pretty good. But featuring actors even I never heard of!
There are at least a dozen adaptations of Hamlet. But my money is on the splendid 1948 version with the iconic Lawrence Olivier as the prince torn by indecision over revenge and love. This British film has a fine ensemble cast you’ve never heard of and cuts about two hours off the usual running time. But-well- there is Olivier and no one does Hamlet better. And, there is an Oscar for Best Movie to boot!
There are a double handful of movies featuring the star-struck and doomed teen-age lovers, Romeo And Juliet. It seems to me that many casting directors don’t pay attention to the fact that these were really young people (Juliet was 14), and so my vote goes to the 1968 Franco Zefferelli version staring unknowns Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. (The film didn’t seem to be a launching pad for either of these kids.) It drips with romance as it should and there’s not a dry eye in the house at the end. 
There are two great versions of the martial favorite Henry V. Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 version is very good. But I have to vote for the 1946 version with the redoubtable Lawrence Olivier. This play has great lines and when Henry urges on the British at Agincourt, you are ready to take up arms against the villainous French!
My final Shakespearian vote goes to the brilliant 1995 version of Richard III. Ian McKellan has the title role and is wonderfully villainous. This version is set at the time of World War II and if McKellan reminds you of another dictator with a funny moustache, that’s as it should be. A glorious supporting cast includes Annette Bening, Robert Downey Junior, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas. 
Since Elizabethan-era English can be difficult to follow, may I suggest using the wonderful subtitle feature when viewing the Bard’s best. I don’t think I could understand the dialog very well without this.
All of the films in this article are available on DVD. Much Ado is suitable for all ages; the rest are for grown-ups. 
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