This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

Richard III

A fascinating record of F.R Benson’s famed production at Stratford’s Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Drama 1911 20 mins Silent

Overview

The Co-operative Cinematograph produced this abbreviated record of the legendary F.R Benson’s production, filmed at the Stratford’s Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. Originally one of a series of Shakespeare films from Benson’s company, which included Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew, this film is the only one known to survive.

A literal recording with a fixed camera and short explanatory titles from the play, it’s a fascinating record of a swaggering performance, but was not intended to be anything other than that. As such, it falls short as a cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare, but offers a valuable record of a performer knighted by King George for his Shakespeare productions.

Featuring

Frank Benson , Elinor Aickin , Constance Benson , James Berry and Alfred Brydone

Genres

Drama

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Subjects

Watch for free

Hamlet Hamlet

Drama 1913 54 mins Silent

Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature

Currently unavailable

Next Next

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins

Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation

Watch for free

Introduction to Silent Shakespeare Introduction to Silent Shakespeare

Short documentary 2016 9 mins

Discover why filmmakers in the silent era turned to the works of William Shakespeare for inspiration.

Watch for free

Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey

Inside Film 1967 16 mins

Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.

Watch for free

Twelfth Night Twelfth Night

Comedy 1910 11 mins Silent

Vitagraph’s charming 1910 interpretation features some notably lively performances.

Watch for free

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives

Inside Film 2016 31 mins

The stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet are reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film.