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Anonymous

  • 2011
  • PG-13
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
43K
YOUR RATING
Rhys Ifans in Anonymous (2011)
Director Roland Emmerich gives 10 reasons why he believes Shakespeare was a fraud.
Play trailer7:58
16 Videos
99+ Photos
Conspiracy ThrillerPeriod DramaDramaThriller

The theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, who penned Shakespeare's plays. Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I and the Essex rebellion against... Read allThe theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, who penned Shakespeare's plays. Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I and the Essex rebellion against her.The theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, who penned Shakespeare's plays. Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I and the Essex rebellion against her.

  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writer
    • John Orloff
  • Stars
    • Rhys Ifans
    • Vanessa Redgrave
    • David Thewlis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    43K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writer
      • John Orloff
    • Stars
      • Rhys Ifans
      • Vanessa Redgrave
      • David Thewlis
    • 165User reviews
    • 291Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 7 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos16

    10 Reasons Why Shakespeare Is a Fraud
    Trailer 7:58
    10 Reasons Why Shakespeare Is a Fraud
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:01
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:01
    Trailer #1
    "Revolt"
    Clip 0:42
    "Revolt"
    "My Gift Is a Play"
    Clip 1:13
    "My Gift Is a Play"
    "I'm Perfect for the Role"
    Clip 1:01
    "I'm Perfect for the Role"
    "Find My Salvation"
    Clip 0:58
    "Find My Salvation"

    Photos197

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    + 192
    View Poster

    Top cast97

    Edit
    Rhys Ifans
    Rhys Ifans
    • Earl of Oxford
    Vanessa Redgrave
    Vanessa Redgrave
    • Queen Elizabeth I
    David Thewlis
    David Thewlis
    • William Cecil
    Sebastian Armesto
    Sebastian Armesto
    • Ben Jonson
    Rafe Spall
    Rafe Spall
    • William Shakespeare
    Edward Hogg
    Edward Hogg
    • Robert Cecil
    Xavier Samuel
    Xavier Samuel
    • Earl of Southampton
    Sam Reid
    Sam Reid
    • Earl of Essex
    • (as Sebastian Reid)
    Jamie Campbell Bower
    Jamie Campbell Bower
    • Young Earl of Oxford
    Joely Richardson
    Joely Richardson
    • Young Queen Elizabeth I
    Paolo De Vita
    • Francesco
    Trystan Gravelle
    Trystan Gravelle
    • Christopher Marlowe
    Robert Emms
    Robert Emms
    • Thomas Dekker
    Tony Way
    Tony Way
    • Thomas Nashe
    Julian Bleach
    Julian Bleach
    • Captain Richard Pole
    Derek Jacobi
    Derek Jacobi
    • Prologue
    Alex Hassell
    Alex Hassell
    • Spencer
    James Garnon
    • Heminge
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writer
      • John Orloff
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews165

    6.842.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7KineticSeoul

    Words can be more powerful than swords

    The trailer to this movie interested me but it really beat my expectation. I thought it would be sort of interesting but overall dumb and super far-fetched movie. Now I can see how some people might dislike this movie, especially for those that are fans of Shakespeare. Also the movie doesn't really make you think but instead goes in a black and white direction. Where Shakespeare is a charlatan and a fraud, while being a obnoxious drunkard and a despicable person at that. Also this movie might irritate some viewers who judges movies by how true it is historically. Although history is written by ink and usually by the victors. But what this movie is, is a intriguing movie that grabbed my attention most of the way through although it had some slow moments. And can get a bit convoluted the way it goes from before and after parts, but you catch on after a while. Since there are movies about Shakespeare, it would have been more interesting if it had more of the back story of Earl of Oxford and his life. And also some parts seemed a bit far-fetched. The cast was pretty good and the acting for the most part is believable. Especially Rhys Ifans who played Earl of Oxford, the way he presented himself was charismatic and you could tell the character is intelligent by the way he expressed himself. Vanessa Redgrave was also great as Queen Elizabeth I. What was intriguing was how plays are in a way sort of like movies and this movie was about how plays moved people in immense ways. Overall this movie was a good blend of drama, romance and conspiracy.

    7.4/10
    8UncleTantra

    Anonymous -- Hacking history

    These days, the term "Anonymous" conjures up visions of unknown activists trying to influence history from the wings. They write things, and that writing changes society. In his film of the same name, director Roland Emmerich seems to be suggesting that this idea is not exactly new, and that the plays and poems attributed to William Shakespeare were essentially motivated by the same desire. He takes the age-old mystery of "Who really wrote Shakespeare's plays?" and turns it into a political thriller.

    If it's difficult for you to imagine a historical costume drama done by the director of "Universal Soldier," "Stargate," "Independence Day," "Godzilla," "The Day After Tomorrow" and "2012," you are not alone. :-) I suspected that the screenplay (by John Orloff) came first, and that Emmerich discovered it and became enamored of it, and a quick trip to the IMDb verifies that this intuition was correct. It also informs me that Emmerich, taking advantage of the money he made on the previous films, paid for this whole movie out of his own pocket, so that he could have full control of the film, without interference from any studio. It shows.

    It's not a bad movie at all. And this is something I never thought I'd find myself saying about a Roland Emmerich movie. The cast is simply to die for: Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Elizabeth the elder; her daughter Joely Richardson as Elizabeth the younger; Rafe Spall as Shakespeare (a talentless clod of an actor); Sebastian Arnesto as Ben Johnson (a talented playwright, but not even in the same galaxy of greatness as the author of Shakespeare's plays); David Thewlis as William Cecil; Edward Hogg as Robert Cecil; Derek Jacobi doing the prologue; Jaime Campbell Bower (from "Camelot") as the younger Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford; and Rhys Ifans as the older Edward de Vere, and the real author of Shakespeare's work.

    As presented, the plot is not at all a scholarly argument for the Earl of Oxford's authorship of these plays. It is instead a clever reimagining of historical events (some treated as loosely as Shakespeare himself treated actual history) to turn the answer to the mystery that scholars argue about into a taut political thriller. In Orloff's/Emmerich's vision, Edward de Vere wrote the plays and published them under someone else's name for no less a reason that to foment revolution, change the course of history, and determine the next king of England.

    And damnit, that reimagining kinda worked for me. The sets and costumes are pitch perfect, the performances are good, and the potential is there for a good time to be had by all. Like anything related to Shakespeare, the more you know about him and his work, the better this film will be for you. There are so many asides and in-jokes that I cannot begin to go into them. Orloff really did his research. Except for the part about Edward de Vere having died before at least 10 of Shakespeare's plays were written, that is. But that's just a nitpick, and should not stand in the way of writing a good drama. Those kinds of historical nitpicks did not deter Shakespeare, and they don't deter Orloff and Emmerich. All of them understand that "The play's the thing," and that history doesn't mean diddleysquat compared to that.
    7moviewizguy

    Was Shakespeare a Fraud?

    Set in the political snake-pit of Elizabethan England, Anonymous speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds such as Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Sigmund Freud, namely: who actually created the body of work credited to William Shakespeare? Experts have debated, books have been written, and scholars have devoted their lives to protecting or debunking theories surrounding the authorship of the most renowned works in English literature. Anonymous poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when scandalous political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles lusting for the power of the throne were brought to light in the most unlikely of places: the London stage. -- (C) Sony Pictures

    As an average movie-goer, I had no idea that Shakespeare's authorship was ever questioned. I didn't know there were theories that existed that other people might have been the true author of the plays, one of which the film focuses on is Oxford. But as far as what ANONYMOUS achieves, it certainly opened my mind as an individual that there is a possibility that another person might have been the true writer of the plays. I mean, why not? It makes the whole thing pertaining to Shakespeare's plays much more interesting. At the most basic level, ANONYMOUS does one thing right: It's damn interesting and entertaining.

    Even as a person who never liked Shakespeare's plays (especially the dreaded ROMEO AND JULIET), the film manages to be involving. I was compelled throughout the film, and what makes it work are the actors. Most of them are on the top of their game, including Rhys Ifans who is unrecognizable as Oxford compared to his role in HARRY POTTER 7 PT.1. Even his stares are intense. Rafe Spall as William Shakespeare seems to have a field day with his role, portraying him as an attention-seeking, moneygrubbing actor. I'd also like to point out that Sebastian Armesto, playing Ben Jonson, seems to have an unexpected greater amount of sreentime than anyone else in the film, and he does well in his role as the aspiring writer who plays as a messenger between Oxford and Shakespeare.

    Another interesting thing to point out is that the film really doesn't focus on the whole authorship debate a lot. We see that Oxford is the writer giving the scripts to Ben, but other than that, the film pretty much brushes it off to the side and, instead, focuses more on the relationship between Oxford and Queen Elizabeth I as well as the Essex Rebellion. As you can tell, the cast is pretty huge, and I have to admit the first 20 minutes of the film is pretty confusing. We're introduced to a world with many characters and time periods jumping all over the place, but it gets easier to grasp once you get to know the characters.

    Overall, ANONYMOUS is an interesting and entertaining film that will get people talking about who the real author of the plays are. The least anyone would get out of it is two hours of a fun "what if?" scenario. The performances by the cast is what really makes the film, though. If it wasn't for the cast, the film wouldn't have worked. Additionally, haters of director Roland Emmerich might find themselves pleased that ANONYMOUS is a character-driven film that doesn't rely on things being destroyed every five minutes. I'd like to see him make more films like this.
    7samabc-31952

    An impressive mise-en-scene, dark history, a good watch

    "What's in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet." - Romeo Juliet He wrote 37 plays and more than 150 sonnets. He introduced some 3000 words to the English language. But was he an illiterate buffoon? His parents were illiterate and he was likely to have received only primary education. His own wife and daughters were supposedly illiterate. For many years since early 19th century, there has been an unsettling question still ensues a debate among many scholars on the authorship of the work published under his name. Who is the real author of Hamlet, Romeo Juliet and many more of those plays that redefined the English literature during Tudor period. Although the work was published by Ben Johnson, but was it really the work of Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford? DeVere was a playwright and a poet of the Tudor times. Also, there were many similarities existed between the characters for example Hamlet and Richard III plays and the people DeVere was close to and the events happened in his life and that are described in the plays. There are few others whom anti-Stratfordians believe to be a real writer as well such as Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlowe. The anti-Stratfordians include famous people like Mark Twain, Sigmund Freud, Helen Keller, Charlie Chaplin, Orson Wells, Malcom X, and more. Did you know Shakespeare was a grain merchant in his later years who was delinquent in paying taxes !!!!

    This movie is all about story and script writing. It steers through the complicated corrupt Tudor history, entwines them in a way that is more of a mystery than investigative story. But Intriguing plot, stunningly created Tudor London, breathtaking shots.. an impressive mise-en-scene, superb costumes, convincing performances. A good watch.
    jadepietro

    Hysteria His Story or To Thine Own Self Be False

    This film is not recommended.

    With apologies to Shakespeare, the true talent, thus, my feeble attempt at (mostly) iambic pentameter:

    Anonymous, a film of cheese and ham, Questions the legend of Shakespeare, William, Whose work it claims the sole property of, Edward DeVere's, Earl, and a class above, Theory and conjecture, Will's name to malign, A film not noble, literate, or refined, Its tale quite shallow, protesting too much, Spouting nonsense, drivel, dreck, and such.

    A production with much to admire, Before all logic begins to expire, Sensationally, a work of fiction, Unconvincing in its own conviction, Visual spectacle, or farce, perhaps, Intelligence and wit well nigh elapse, Although I may seem to kvetch and complain, This film ultimately doth entertain.

    The thespians display their skills and crafts, While unintentionally providing laughs, Over-emoting as they misbehave, The likes of Jacobi and Ladies Redgrave, Rhys Ifans well plays lover and writer, Were only Orloff's script a bit tighter, Rafe Spall's the bard as wretched sot, an eyeful, Poor Will should sue for slander and libel.

    Disaster, thine mainstay of Emmerich, Part director, part showman, his prime niche, For depth and clarity, he will not delve, Note: Independence Day and 2012, Whilst not the disaster we've come to expect, The film has little to awe or respect, It plays fast with the facts, and offers nil, Except sets, that in some measure, fulfill.

    With all its pomp and expensive wrappings, Lavish costumes doth not disguise its trappings, But thy foul temper and malaise spills forth, Yielding a vile film of lesser worth, A ill-conceived venture, shrill, and unkind, Outlandishly ornate and out of its mind, A stylish film, yet so misbegotten, One hopes Anonymous is soon well forgotten.

    GRADE: C

    NOTE: Visit my movie blog for more reviews: www.dearmoviegoer.com

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson play the older and younger versions of Queen Elizabeth respectively. In real life, they are mother and daughter.
    • Goofs
      The playwrights in the movie are all astonished that Romeo and Juliet is written in verse, specifically iambic pentameter. In fact, English drama had been written in verse for hundreds of years, and mostly in iambic pentameter for about the previous 25 years. Prose drama, not poetry, was the innovation.
    • Quotes

      Anne De Vere: You, your friends, your blasphemous theater have brought nothing but ruin and dishonor to this family.

      Ben Jonson: Ruin? Dishonor? My lady, you, your family, even I, even Queen Elizabeth herself will be remembered solely because we had the honor to live whilst your husband put ink to paper.

    • Crazy credits
      Apart from the production companies, the only opening credit is the movie's title, displayed on the marquee of the prologue's theater.
    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Rum Diary (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Night of the Long Knives
      Written by Byrd & David Hirschfelder (as Hirschfelder)

      Performed by David Hirschfelder

      Courtesy of The Decca Music Group

      Under licence from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Anonymous?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Anonymous" based on a book?
    • Who is Edward's biological father?
    • Why was the falcon's eyes covered?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 28, 2011 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Italian
      • Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
    • Also known as
      • Nặc Danh
    • Filming locations
      • Studio Babelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Relativity Media
      • Centropolis Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,463,292
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,021,768
      • Oct 30, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,395,087
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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