THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
aka WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Year: 2004
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Optimum Releasing
Cast: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Charlie Cox, Heather Goldenhersh, Mackenzie Crook, John Sessions, Gregor Fisher, Ron Crook, Allan Corduner, Anton Rodgers, David Harewood, Antonio Gil-Martinez, Al Weaver, Norbert Konne, Marc Maas, Jean-Francois Wolff, Pieter Riemens, Stephan Koziac, Tom Leick, Jules Werner, Tony Schiena, Julian Nest
Director: Michael Radford
Countries: USA / Italy / Luxembourg / UK
USA & UK: 131 mins
USA Rated: R for some nudity
UK Certificate: PG contains mild nudity and sex references
USA Release Date: 29 December 2004 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 3 December 2004


Synopsis

Filmed on location in Luxembourg and Venice, Italy, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is directed by Michael Radford, which he adapted and scripted from William Shakespeare's classic play.

Set in 16th century Venice, Shakespeare's timeless comedy/drama follows the fates and fortunes of a group of Christian noblemen and their interactions with the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Antonio (Irons) borrows money from Shylock (Pacino) to help his young penniless friend Bassanio (Fiennes) in his quest to win the hand of the fair Portia (Collins). Bitter at Antonio's insults, Shylock stipulates very specific terms if he defaults on the loan.

As Antonio's shipping business is devastated by storms, Shylock is further angered by his daughter's elopement with the nobleman Lorenzo (Cox). The loan falls due and Shylock claims his forfeit in the form of a pound of Antonio's flesh. As Bassanio desperately tries to save Antonio from this fate, miraculous help comes from an unexpected quarter.

Written and directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA winner Michael Radford (IL POSTINO, THE LETTERS).

DVD EXTRAS

Dolby Digital 5.1:
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired