Shakespeare Country

The English language is spoken by 450 million people around the globe, with a further one billion using it as a second language. It is arguably Britain’s most famous export. The man often given credit for the global triumph of English, and the invention of many of our modern words, is William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s plays first hit the stage four centuries ago, as the explorers of Elizabethan England were laying the foundations for the British empire. It was this empire that would carry English around the world. Language historian and BBC New Generation Thinker Dr John Gallagher asks whether the real story of how English became a global linguistic superpower is more complex.

A radical cinematic investigation into the myth of Hamlet, the avenging prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare's creature; his origins and his unending influence on many diverse cultures.

Documentary examination of the role of Hamlet, in which ten prominent actors who have played the part discuss Hamlet's personality, Shakespeare's play, and the enduring popular fascination it has inspired. The actors interviewed are Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Richard Burton, Nicol Williamson, Ben Kingsley, Jean Louis Barrault, Vittorio Gassman, Maximilian Schell, Innocenti Smoktunovsky, and Mandy Patinkin. Includes excerpts from various film and television versions of Hamlet, featuring these actors and others.

One of the greatest Hamlets of the 20th century Sir John Gielgud reflects on the play and its title character with which he used to be intimately associated for ever since 1929.

Mel Gibson teaches Hamlet to a group of high school drama students.

Journey into "Hamlet"-the play and the man-through the experiences of some of the major actors and directors who have brought Shakespeare's great tragedy to life. Christopher Plummer, David Tennant, John Nettles, John Simm, Sir Trevor Nunn, Franco Zeffirelli, Philip Saville, and others explore the enduring appeal of the Prince of Denmark more than 400 years after his stage debut.

The making of the next Aaron Aaron Byrne Movie takes a turn for the worst.

The story behind the translation and performance of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in Klingon.

A tour of Stratford-upon-Avon's houses and hamlets, stomping ground of a young William Shakespeare.

A year ago, i went to a Cottage and made a short movie with the footage. I went back this year for a weekend and came back with more footage. What i made with that footage is the following.

A boy living in underdeveloped Welsh village hopes for a better time of his homeland when seeing the two Japaneese businessmen with the apparent intentions to build a factory there.

Seven friends on a weekend away, miles from anywhere. Just as the party's getting started, a serial killer shows up!

At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.

Paul, a rich English boy, and Michelle, an orphaned French girl, run away from home to a remote beach. Living on their own, their friendship grows into love.

An American man returns to the village of his birth in Ireland, where he finds love and conflict.

Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the Prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.

The Enchanted Cottage is a romantic retelling of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's classic play. When socialite Oliver Bradshaw is disfigured by war wounds, he hides from his father, Golden Globe Nominee Richard Hatch, to convalesce in seclusion at a Cottage he rented for his originally planned honeymoon. Laura Pennington, a shy plain nurse is hired on to care for Oliver. The two begin developing feelings for each other and ultimately fall in love. After they marry, they discover the enchantment of the cottage has the power to transform.

Mountain biker Benny Jones sets off on a weekend ride to remote Crow Valley but is knocked off his bike in a brutal hit and run. He wakes badly injured in an abandoned cabin where he meets young hiker Greta. When her lies and sanity start to unravel he finds himself in a desperate fight for survival.

Twins Viola and Sebastian are separated by a shipwreck. Viola lands in Illyria, where she disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino sends her to help woo the Lady Olivia, who doesn't want the Duke, but finds she likes the new messenger. When Sebastian reappears, with Viola now his exact double, merry hell breaks loose. Meanwhile, Olivia's uncle and his cohorts are trying to find some way to get back at Olivia's officious majordomo, Malvolio.

A theatre director intends to make a revolutionary version of Hamlet. It all starts with finding the right actors and putting their lives in danger.