The Merchant of Venice (2004)

In 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Michael Radford (screenplay)

Stars:

Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Shylock
Jeremy Irons	...	Antonio
Joseph Fiennes	...	Bassanio
Lynn Collins	...	Portia
Zuleikha Robinson	...	Jessica
Kris Marshall	...	Gratiano
Charlie Cox	...	Lorenzo
Heather Goldenhersh	...	Nerissa
Mackenzie Crook	...	Launcelot Gobbo
John Sessions	...	Salerio
Gregor Fisher	...	Solanio
Ron Cook	...	Old Gobbo
Allan Corduner	...	Tubal
Anton Rodgers	...	The Duke
David Harewood	...	Prince of Morocco

Storyline

Venice, 1596. Melancholy Antonio loves the youthful Bassanio, so when Bassanio asks for 3000 ducats, Antonio says yes before knowing it's to sue for the hand of Portia. His capital tied up in merchant ships at sea, Antonio must go to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender he reviles. Shylock wraps his grudge in kindness, offering a three-month loan at no interest, but if not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of flesh. The Jew's daughter elopes with a Christian, whetting Shylock's hatred. While Bassanio's away wooing Portia, Antonio's ships founder, and Shylock demands his pound of flesh. With court assembled and a judgment due, Portia swings into action to save Bassanio's friend.

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Plot Keywords:

merchant | friend | jew | flesh | pound of flesh | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [uk] Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

USA Italy Luxembourg UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Filming Locations:

Thiene, Vicenza, Veneto, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$31,029 (Chile) (14 April 2006)

Gross:

$205,220 (Chile) (26 May 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures Productions, Movision, UK Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dustin Hoffman was interested in playing Shylock; however, when he contacted director Michael Radford about it, Al Pacino had already been cast.

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Goofs

Approximately 0:02:50 into the film, camera equipment and a man with a black baseball cap w/white logo are seen on the left hand side of the frame. It's a very quick cutaway scene after a couple shots of the white balcony.

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Quotes

Salerio: Why, I am sure, if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?
Shylock: To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.

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Connections

Version of Masterpiece: The Merchant of Venice (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Song for Bassanio"
Composed and Arranged by Jocelyn Pook
Words by William Shakespeare
Voice: Ben Crawley
Published by Shylock Ltd / EMI Music Publishing Ltd

User Reviews

The Merchant has been reinvented - with a deft hand

I am always impressed when a director (and this case director/screenwriter) takes a piece of classical text - and makes it come alive. Sure, Shakespeare's text can give you goosebumps even when hammered out with self-importance, but to see a production where true inventiveness makes wonderful words even more so - by the provision of context or nuance not found in the stage directions is simply awe-inspiring. There are many troubling things about the play. It is a racist play about racism - and that still sticks. I have never accepted Jessica's desertion of her father without any acceptable reason. I have never accepted the Christians' position of sanctimonious self-righteousness. But, brilliantly, there is a text prologue which helps us understand the times and politics in which the story is set, and mercifully, much of Jessica's part is cut.

The text is quite stripped down with many passages cut. But, I only noticed one line which was cut at the moment when I expected to hear it

• and it was replaced by a look that said it all. This economy and

judicious editing has given us a gripping movie - not just a film of the play.

And at last, there is a rationale as to why Antonio is so loyal and generous to the undeserving/unrelated Bassanio - you can almost feel Antonio's pulse start to race when he catches glimpse of Bassanio passing by in a gondola, or arriving for a visit. But it is as subtle as that - no more. I was spellbound.

There were many other highlights. I felt the arguments during the trial to be heartbreaking. And, the suitors' trials are hilarious.

Add all that to glorious cinematography and costumes that resonated with the times, and you'll understand why I can't wait to see it again. And again.