Measure for Measure

Episode aired Feb 18, 1979
Not RatedNot Rated
2h 25min

7.5/10

211

S1.E5

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When the Duke of Vienna takes a mysterious leave of absence and leaves the strict Angelo in charge, things couldn't be worse for Claudio, who is sentenced to death for premarital sex. His si... Read allWhen the Duke of Vienna takes a mysterious leave of absence and leaves the strict Angelo in charge, things couldn't be worse for Claudio, who is sentenced to death for premarital sex. His sister, Isabella (a nun-in-training), however, is a very persuasive pleader. She goes to Ang... Read allWhen the Duke of Vienna takes a mysterious leave of absence and leaves the strict Angelo in charge, things couldn't be worse for Claudio, who is sentenced to death for premarital sex. His sister, Isabella (a nun-in-training), however, is a very persuasive pleader. She goes to Angelo, but instead of freeing her brother, she gets an offer from Angelo to save Claudio's l... Read all

7.5/10

211

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Awards
- 1 nomination total

Kate Nelligan in Measure for Measure (1979)

Kenneth Colley and John McEnery in Measure for Measure (1979)

John McEnery, Kate Nelligan, and Tim Pigott-Smith in Measure for Measure (1979)

When the Duke of Vienna takes a mysterious leave of absence and leaves the strict Angelo in charge, things couldn't be worse for Claudio, who is sentenced to death for premarital sex. His sister, Isabella (a nun-in-training), however, is a very persuasive pleader. She goes to Angelo, but instead of freeing her brother, she gets an offer from Angelo to save Claudio's life if Isabella sleeps with him. The only sympathetic friend Isabella has is a priest who, in actuality, is the Duke in disguise...and he has a plan. —Kathy Li

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Certificate
- Not Rated
Parents guide

Trivia
The role of the Duke was originally offered to Alec Guinness. When he turned it down, the role was offered to a further thirty-one actors, before Kenneth Colley finally accepted the part.

Connections
Version of Theatre Parade: Measure for Measure (1937)

Top review

8/10

A Good Job Overall

If you want to see a straight, rigorously faithful adaptation of this not often read or studied play, please watch this version. The play itself is one of the best kept secrets in the Shakespeare cannon. The costumes are colorful and interesting and the sets (though the budget was clearly not hugely substantial) really flesh out aspects of the play you typically miss when reading it. The acting is fine, particularly from Lucio, Pompey (the clown), and the Provost. I will admit that the actor who played the Duke could have put more emotion behind what he was saying, though he did a good job. As a side note, he played Admiral Piett in Star Wars Ep. V & VI (I just thought that was interesting and funny). True this is a kind of no frills version, but, in my opinion, many of the modern 'adaptations' of Shakespeare's plays are weak because people of our age forget the unequivocally beautiful and startlingly profound language that Shakespeare abounded in. He truly offers metaphors that are profound and universal; if you wish to hear this powerful language spoken in a convincing and effective manner, please watch Measure for Measure.

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