Review of Titus (1999) by David G — 13 Jun 2008
An utterly compelling, off the wall, and visually stunning adaptation of Shakespeare's most gruesomely violent play, Titus Andronicus.
Shakespeare didn't hold back here. The play is basically a tale of vengeance, but it includes just about as many depravities as Will could muster in order to titilate his Tudor public. Rape, murder, mutilation, torture, cannibalism. It's all here.
In truth, Titus Andronicus is not one of Shakespeare's best works but that being so, it's still head and shoulders above most of the dross. What sets this film up as a masterpiece despite drawing from an ever so slightly flawed original play, is the dexterity with which debutant director Julie Taymor draws us into the tale with her graphically stunning imagery.
This is very much a film which engages the eyes and the ears and the brain.
The cast is first class with some very slight minor niggles about the performances of the younger members and both Hopkins and Jessica Lange (making her Shakespearian debut) are fabulous.
This review of Titus (1999) was written by David G on 13 Jun 2008.
Titus has generally received positive reviews.
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