Customer Reviews

Titus Andronicus [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

The main object of any acting is to persuade the audience that you understand what you're saying and why - thus one becomes the character. The actors in this show have missed that boat by a mile - seem, often, not even to be trying to communicate the sense of what they have to say, and seem not at all embarrassed to be doing nothing but mouthing lines they don't understand. And so whatever may be the purpose of this extravaganza - spoof, horror, just a bit of fun, or whatever (it certainly can't be to "do" Shakespeare, either seriously or satirically) - it is doomed to failure because its actors simply fail to tell its story. So the chintzy effects and amateurish "music" may be a bit of a lark, but the general dishonesty of the production values and the worse than amateurish acting leave this one at a spiritual and aesthetic level somewhere below that of "I Spit on Your Grave".

This video is too bad to even rate a "campy" label. The director could have picked 20 people at random off the streets and gotten more intelligible performances. It isn't the gore and violence that is the problem; it's the fact that the actors don't understand their lines, making it impossible for the viewer to do so.

Don't waste your time and money on this.

Of all the film versions of plays by William Shakespeare this has got to be the worst. I agree with one reviewer that you could have gotten better performances from people off the street. I hope all these actors donated their time to this film for there isn't one worthy of a penny in remuneration. Cuts to the text had no justification. And the special effects. Zounds!What special effects! A plastic kneck brace spewing forth blood; a latex head chopped in half; a rubber baby doll impaled on a stake (not even in the original text);and more! It's not even a "good" bad movie.

This video is completely laughable. The cheesy sound effects, the horrendous acting (not only can they not speak with any sense of Shakespearean meter, but they pause--I mean, PAUSE--between each other's sentences to wait for the next person to finish--it's just laughable), and the title character does not impress me as the "mighty" general Titus. Instead, he reminded me of the 7th grade teacher I had for history who everyone used to pick on because of his stature! I'm sorry about this. I have never written such a horrible review for something on Amazon before, but trust me, do not, Do Not, DOOOO NOOOTTTT waste your money on this video. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT!!!

This is NOT high quality shakespeare. Putting this next to Titus (directed by Julie Taymor) makes one cringe in embarrassment. Admittedly: Ms. Taymor had the advantages of professional actors, professional musicians, and professional support people. But spoiled as I am, I rather expect that from a movie. I didn't receive it from this one.

I've always thought that even bad Shakespeare was good. But the thinking, in this case, didn't make it so.

What would happen if 50's schlock director with a $100 budget, Ed Wood, tried to do Shakespeare? Well, here it is: complete with cardboard sets, costumes from Woolworth's Holloween day sale, actors picked at random off the street and special effects that wouldn't scare a four-year old. Don't be fooled by the four-star reviews, written by people who have never seen or read a Shakespeare play in their life. This is NOT Shakespeare. This is NOT scary. There is NOTHING here over anyone's head. There is NOTHING here to "get". The only thing CULT about it is the higher price to make as much money as possible off a piece of crap.

This is the way TITUS ANDRONICUS was meant to be seen, a full-bodied horror show with off-the-wall humor and gritty violence. Bravo to the cast and crew of this ballsy independent movie for showing people you don't need millions of dollars to do the Bard justice.

I appreciated the attempt to replicate some of the horrific elements of this Shakespearan script. I wish the current release of Titus had been more courageous. On the other hand,pleasurable gore does not replace acting, concept and production values. I do not think that this group realized what it was doing. I am not a Shakespeare purist. However, storytelling and artistry are not to be lost even when producing a self-conscious attempt at a cult market.

Wait until these videos are at the dollar store. Very interesting viewing, but not worth the current price.

This director and these actors do a fantastic job in perhaps the most difficult genre ever created. Their ability to bring realism and credibility to a world usually portrayed in film by those who have no real education or insight is quite refreshing. Also, the director uses spectacular set, costume, and lighting to give the film a touch of unique mystical flavor.

Admittedly, This film, as with all others is this genre, requires an ability to follow the language of Shakespeare. For those who can get into it, finally they can enjoy brilliant acting with realistic delivery that not only breaks but utterly shatters the old conventions of Shakespeare interpretation and over-the-top displays of "artsy" excess that I, for one, have grown tired of. As for the story this is the truest adaptation of Shakespeare's wildest horror play to film ever developed--- with all of the violence, revenge, and treachery of the original to do justice to the true meaning, vision, and purpose of the story.

Whether you measure in stars, thumbs, or diamonds it's clear this films ranks at the top of its class, and a bargain for such a specialty.

What an amazing ride! After a few minutes of getting used to the Shakespearean dialog, the story is a rollercoaster of blood, revenge, death, rape, and mayhem, all served up with the wit and word games of the greatest playwright of all time. Although this may not be for everyone, if you're into slightly off-beat horror with a few shocking turns and some ridiculously funny moments thrown in, then this is the film for you. It also stays true to the original text and action so it's a great reference/companion to the Bard's play. All in all it's a strong entry in the genre; even better considering how few studios have been willing to tackle the material as it is, instead of mangling it trying to "interpret" and "modernize" it (they always mess it up). I didn't recognize any big name stars in it, but there's certainly quite a collection of characters here and a few stand-out performances - namely the Goth queen Tamora (played by Candy K. Sweet), both her lovers Saturninus and Aaron (Christopher Dunne and Lexton Raleigh, respectively), Lucius (Alexander Chew), and Demetrius (Tom Dennis). Check out their web page too for some relly kewl photos, info, and way freaky stuff.

A GREAT video!