Product Details

• Actors: Bindu De Stoppani, Lennie James, Paterson Joseph, Baz Luhrmann, Jonathan Taylor
• Directors: Michael Waldman
• Producers: Michael Waldman, Ashley Gething, Elisabeth Murdoch, Paul Hamann
• Format: Color, 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
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: February 7, 2006
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000E0OBE2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,766 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "My Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation, with Baz Luhrmann" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

My Shakespeare follows twenty non-actors as they put on a production at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London’s West End. The performers will have four weeks to explore Shakespeare’s great play of love and loss, Romeo and Juliet. The novice cast—under the direction of British actor Paterson Joseph and mentored by celebrated Australian film director Baz Luhrmann—revitalizes the classic with their raw performance. The play's enduring message has an unexpected resonance with the cast. Through a hybrid of drama and documentary, the directors will explore the themes and history behind Shakespeare's most famous theatrical production.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best example of what "reality" entertainment should be, January 1, 2006

By 

Tobytime (Morrisville, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation, with Baz Luhrmann (DVD)

This is really great reality entertainment, in all the best ways. The idea of inner-city-kids-meet-Shakespeare could be gimmicky, but it's not. Rather, the story is presented so freshly and truthfully, you immediately get caught up and begin to root for all the participants. It is exciting to watch these kids find their way into the characters they play. In particular, the storyline of Khpal (who plays Juliet) was a highlight - her gradual transformation from a shy, giggly girl to a confident actress (and person) was just plain inspiring. In fact, the whole film leaves you inspired, and it does it without being preachy, fake or cloying.

Well worth your time and money--Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good teaching film, September 19, 2009

By 

Eden Rush "artcarlady" (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation, with Baz Luhrmann (DVD)

I paired this with a unit on Romeo and Juliet for my middle school drama students. We read a shortened version of the script from Theatrefolk, then watched scenes from both the Luhrman and the Zefferelli films to compare them. We finished up by watching this documentary. Because the actor behind the project and most of his recruits are urban minorities, it caught the attention of all my students. In fact, combating stereotypes and racism is a strong thematic element here. My students got to see the process of a full amateur production in all it's wretched glory - the idealistic director badgering and cajoling his actors into embracing the reality of their characters, the actors who alternate between nervousness, ethusiasm, frustration, giddiness and determination, the promising actor who can't hack it, the newbie who catches onto Shakespeare's fiery comet and becomes a person transformed. Drama students know this intense process from the inside, but it's great to see it from the outside as well, and you couldn't ask for better material.

This was appropriate for my students, although there is a scene that discusses the sexuality of Romeo and Juliet's relationship. It involves some close contact so I suggest you preview before screening.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation, with Baz Luhrmann (2006), October 10, 2006

By 

W. Martin (MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation, with Baz Luhrmann (DVD)

I stumbled across this version and absolutely fell in love with it. Usually, I don't watch much Shakespeare, but this behind-the-scenes of a Shakespearean production with amateurs was fascinating. It truly gave me hope not only for these young people from harsh backgrounds, but anyone who struggles with adverse life circumstances,(myself, included)! It was definitely worth the watching.