Bill (2015)

What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.

Director:

Richard Bracewell

Writers:

Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond

Stars:

Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mathew Baynton	...	William 'Bill' Shakespeare / Lord Burghley / English Messenger / Customs Official
Simon Farnaby	...	Earl of Croydon / Juan Domingo / Sausage / Dmitri Alexandrovitch / Fur Seller
Martha Howe-Douglas	...	Anne Hathaway / Molly / Spanish Courtier / Body Collector
Jim Howick	...	Christopher Marlowe / Gabriel Montoya / Cynical Jester / Palace Doorman / Mysterious Man / Even Grubbier Thief / Party Planner
Laurence Rickard	...	Sir Francis Walsingham / Lope Lopez / Stand-Up Jester / Chatty Guard / Slightly Late Courtier / Ian / Hanging Criminal / Chicken Drumstick
Ben Willbond	...	King Phillip II of Spain / Earl of Southampton / Grubby Thief / Alexander Dimitrievitch / Head of Guards
Helen McCrory	...	Queen Elizabeth I
Damian Lewis	...	Sir Richard Hawkins
David Crow	...	Ramon
Rufus Jones	...	Sir Walter Raleigh
Justin Edwards	...	Sir Francis Drake
John Henry Falle	...	Miguel
Jamie Demetriou	...	Sergio
Richard Atwill	...	Sevi
George Hewer	...	Spanish Servant #1

Storyline

A down on his luck William "Bill" Shakespeare decides to pursue his latest dream: to be an aspiring writer. His adventure soon becomes dangerous when he is caught between a act of murder.

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Plot Keywords:

shakespearean quote | king | queen | british | actor playing multiple roles | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | History

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

BBC Films [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 2015 (UK)

Also Known As:

Билл

Filming Locations:

Redmire near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films,Cowboy Films,Punk Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) was a huge influence on the filmmakers, if only as an example of how to make a historical film on a tiny budget.

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Goofs

When Bill and Christopher Marlowe are advertising vegetables, Bill is dressed as a tomato, which is a fruit.

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Quotes

Earl of Croydon: That poor, sexy woman!

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Connections

References Deliverance (1972)

User Reviews

Wacky and well done

This movie was such a delightfully funny surprise. Reminiscent of Monty Python fare and wit, it totally cracked me up. Well executed, well paced, and well cast, and served up with ridiculous irreverent perfection. I got the feeling they were loving what they were doing - and I loved it too. Plus the added surprise of seeing who played who at the end. The movie takes elements of the accepted history of "Bill" (a la Shakespeare In Love) and tells very a funny story about it.

So refreshing to watch, compared to so many plot-less comedies that rely on gross out jokes, juvenile themes, and offensive language to be 'funny'. The banter is quick, the jokes and gags fresh and unexpected, the lines classic, and it contains all the twists and turns of, well, a Shakespearean comedy.

Loved it.

Best liked: Characters using Shakespearean phrases.