IMDb >
The Merchant of Venice (1980) (TV)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Merchant of Venice (1980) (TV) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
17 December 1980 (UK) morePlot:
A rich merchant, Antonio is depressed for no good reason, until his good friend Bassanio comes to tell him how he's in love with Portia... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins & 2 nominations moreUser Comments:
Marvelous Production That Says What Shakespeare Wrote moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| John Franklyn-Robbins | ... | Antonio | |
| John Rhys-Davies | ... | Salerio | |
| Alan David | ... | Solanio | |
| John Nettles | ... | Bassanio | |
| Richard Morant | ... | Lorenzo | |
| Kenneth Cranham | ... | Gratiano | |
| Gemma Jones | ... | Portia | |
| Susan Jameson | ... | Nerissa | |
| Daniel Mitchell | ... | Balthasar | |
| Warren Mitchell | ... | Shylock | |
| Marc Zuber | ... | Prince of Morocco | |
| Enn Reitel | ... | Launcelot Gobbo | |
| Joe Gladwin | ... | Old Gobbo | |
| Roger Martin | ... | Leonardo | |
| Leslee Udwin | ... | Jessica |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice (USA) (video title)more
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
Spain:156 min (DVD edition)Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Spain:13Fun Stuff
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Merchant of Venice (1980) (TV)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Merchant of Venice | Il mercante di Venezia | Cassandra's Dream | The Merchant of Venice | King Rikki |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | IMDb Drama section |
| IMDb UK section | Add this title to MyMovies |


This is much, much better than Olivier's version, of which I own a copy and have used to teach high school Shakespeare. Gemma Jones is excellent as Portia (and not too old) and Shylock is performed the way Shakespeare wrote the part. I would argue the issue of anti-semitism in this play: it's not as cut and dried as people seem to think. But it is a product of Shak's time, not ours (which can't do anything controversial unless it is left-wing politically and politically correct). I recently saw Al Pacino play Shylock and his performance and the production was absurd. Unfortunately, because of WWII and the wrong-headed (but good-hearted) people who are afraid to touch any play that shows Jews in a negative way, this play is off limits to a decent production of The Merchant.. except it seems for the BBC production. Also, the viewer who gave this production a "one" rating obviously came to the play predisposed to dislike anything that wasn't modern in look and perspective. He/she simply didn't want to watch the play Shakespeare wrote. The BBC series of all the plays did have a number of clunkers, but this isn't one of them.