Product Details

• Actors: Judi Dench, Donald Eccles, Derek Godfrey, Ian Holm, Michael Jayston
• Directors: Peter Hall
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Water Bearer Films,
• DVD Release Date: March 10, 2005
• Run Time: 124 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007CNXV4
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,840 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is one fo Shakespeare's earliest comedies yet still resounds with the brilliance and charm of his later works. Directed by Peter Hall using THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE ACADEMY's cast of actors, this 1968 version is one of the wittiest and wildest of all versions to be produced. Hermia (Helen Mirren) is in love with Lysander (David Warner) but are forbidden to marry. Together they set off into the enchanted wood to live together in happiness. Unknown to them, the couple is followed by Demetrius (Michael Jayston) who loves Hermia. Demtrius in turn is followed by Helena (Diana Rig) for she is in love with him. Their collective adventures are further compounded by the inhabitants of the wood the Faeries. Oberon (Ian Richardson) and Titania (Judi Dench), the King and Queen of the Faeries, helped by Oberon's servant Puck (Ian Holm), cast the lovers into turmoil through their magic and their own jealousies. With its cast of great performers, this film version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is a hilarious and tremendous production of one of the Bard's greatest work. A must have for all fans of Shakespeare.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See Them At the Outset of Their Careers!, May 18, 2005

By	F. S. L'hoir (Irvine, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although the scratchy unrestored color makes this DVD it look as if it had been pirated in a movie theatre thirty years ago, it is well worth buying if only to see the delightful performances of young Helen Mirren as Hermia, Diana Rigg (taking a break from Emma Peel) as Helena, Judy Dench as Titania, Ian Richardson (who gives a preview of his "House of Cards" sardonic smile) as Oberon, and even the husband of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) as Snug the Joiner. The production (with its pink-lipped green fairies and hairy-chested Puck) may have been misguided, but the actors shine as future stars of British stage and cinema.

Because of the poor quality and the faded print, I'd actually give it three and 1/2 stars. I still recommend it, however, as a piece of historical interest.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overwhelming Star Power., April 27, 2006

By	Mike Simonsen (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

The film source materials start off looking battered, but the image cleans up pretty quickly.

More importantly, the performances are uniformly strong, without a weak link to be found. If you are familiar with Ian Richardson and Judy Dench only from their recent work, this movie will be an eye-opener. Bill Travers' Snout is a treasure, and Paul Rogers leaves behind his usual kings and bullies to give a vocally astonishing performance as Bottom.

Most productions of this play have trouble balancing the scenes of the confused lovers in the forest with the Pyramis and Thisbe farce at the end - usually one or the other gets out of control, but this one gets it right for once. There is a little self-conscious film editing a la Richard Lester and the New Wave that has dated, but doesn't really kill the occasion. The language and atmosphere are magical, as good as it gets.

Some of the whining in these reviews is silly. There is no other Midsummer Night's Dream so evenly and superlatively cast, and it's worth putting up with less than optimal print quality to watch and listen to them.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid at All Costs, March 26, 2005

By	M. Spitzer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Could Water Bearer Films have found a print in worse condition? With weaker, more faded color? There is a note on the back cover that the "Digital color enhancement" has been copyrighted - that's enhancement? And on top of it all it looks like a poor copy of a VHS tape. The wretched quality of the picture... and the sound as well... make the DVD virtually unwatchable. A 1968 film shouldn't look as bad as this. I guess we're just supposed to be grateful that the film is available on DVD - thanks, but no thanks, Water Bearer.