Titus (1999)

Titus returns victorious from war, only to plant the seeds of future turmoil for himself and his family.

Director:

Julie Taymor

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Julie Taymor (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Osheen Jones

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Osheen Jones	...	Young Lucius
Dario D'Ambrosi	...	Clown
Anthony Hopkins	...	Titus
Jessica Lange	...	Tamora
Raz Degan	...	Alarbus
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Chiron
Matthew Rhys	...	Demetrius
Harry Lennix	...	Aaron
Angus Macfadyen	...	Lucius
Kenny Doughty	...	Quintus
Blake Ritson	...	Mutius
Colin Wells	...	Martius
Ettore Geri	...	Priest
Alan Cumming	...	Saturninus
James Frain	...	Bassianus

Storyline

War begets revenge. Victorious General Titus Andronicus (Sir Anthony Hopkins) returns to Rome with hostages: Tamora (Jessica Lange), Queen of the Goths, and her sons. He orders the eldest hewn to appease the Roman dead. He declines the proffered Emperor's crown, nominating Saturninus (Alan Cumming), the last ruler's venal elder son. Saturninus, to spite his brother Bassianus (James Frain), demands the hand of Lavinia (Laura Fraser), Titus' daughter. When Bassianus, Lavinia, and Titus' sons flee in protest, Titus stands against them and slays one of his own. Saturninus marries the honey-tongued Tamora, who vows vengeance against Titus. The ensuing maelstrom serves up tongues, hands, rape, adultery, racism, and Goth-meat pie. There's irony in which two sons survive.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | year 400 | bow the weapon | housefly | hunt | 

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Taglines:

The fall of an empire is nothing compared to the descent of man.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violent and sexual images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The large wolf sculpture seen above the throne is meant to recall the myth of Romulus and Remus, two Etruscan children abandoned in a forest, and saved by a she-wolf, from whom they feed prior to their founding of Rome.

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Goofs

When Aaron speaks saying: "Come on, my lords, the better foot before: Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit Where I espied the tiger fast asleep." His actually says "panther" as opposed to "tiger" (as is written in the original play).

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Quotes

Chiron: Demetrius! Here's the son of Lucius! He hath some message to deliver us.
Aaron: Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.
Young Lucius: My lords, with all the humbleness I may, I greet your honors from Andronicus.
Demetrius: Gramercy, lovely Lucius. What's the news?
Young Lucius: My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me the goodliest weapons of his armory to gratify your honorable youth... the hope of Rome, for so he bid me say,and so I do.
[aside]
Young Lucius: And so I leave you both. Like bloody villains.
[young Lusius leaves]
Demetrius: What's here, a scroll ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Anonymous (2014)

User Reviews

Beautiful adaptation

This film demonstrates how a stage director can combine the unique atmosphere of theater with the stark realism--and fantastic effects-- of film and make a beautiful, moving masterpiece. The words are Shakespeare, the staging is fabulous, the costumes and sets are remarkable and memorable. Jessica Lange and Anthony Hopkins and Alan Cummings radiate. Seeing Titus leaves one exhausted and exhilarated, believing one has seen true, gifted, timeless film making.

Titus is one of Shakespeare's little-known, earlier works, and it is a violent, disturbing tragedy. The producer and director took incredible risks to bring this remarkable experience to you. I know you will be moved.

Details

Country:

UK Italy USA

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

11 February 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Titus

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,313, 26 December 1999

Gross USA:

$2,007,290

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,259,680

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clear Blue Sky Productions, Overseas FilmGroup, Urania Pictures S.r.l.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

162 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1