William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Pros: outstanding cast, especially Pacino

Cons: lack of English subtitles

The Bottom Line: Pacino leads a terrific cast in this recent version of The Merchant of Venice.

Review: My brother Nathan has been on a Shakespeare kick ever since he found out that a local college would be putting on two Shakespeare plays over the summer. In preparation for the auditions, he immersed himself in several of Shakespeare's notable works, ...

Pros: Great story; fine acting

Cons: Modern viewers may find Anti-Semitism disturbing

The Bottom Line: Taken in context, this is a great story. Watch this movie.

Review: The time Mid to late 16th century. There is tension between the Jews and the Christians. The Jews can lend money and demand interest; the Christians cannot. The place Venice, place of barges, canals and far more water than modern ...

Pros: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons

Cons: To understand Shakespearian language

Review: An outstanding movie with great actors like Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. The play written by William Shakespeare could not have been better done as in this movie. It shows how things have been in former times between Christians and Jews. Excellent ...

Pros: Nicely directed & produced, very well cast, good pacing...

Cons: Not many...

The Bottom Line: Definitely worth a look - Shakespeare has to be your cup of tea, though...

Review: I studied ‘The Merchant of Venice’ as part of my junior English cycle at secondary (high) school. At the time, I held Shakespeare as more of a curiosity than something relevant to my life, or even to my educational development. I remember ...

Pros: excellent adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons

Cons: I don’t think so – well, there is some partial frontal female nudity

The Bottom Line: the bottom line enjoyed this movie more than she had planned

Review: Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman, and it’s even harder to be a Jew. This film, based on Shakespeare’s play of the same title, explores both issues. Portia is an intelligent woman in a time when men rule and women rarely leave the house. ...

Pros: Gorgeous views of Venice, marvellous job of costuming, strong British flavored production.

Cons: Launcelot and Jessica come across as too flat, due to their parts being cut.

The Bottom Line: Definitely worth seeking out

Review: I approached this movie with some trepidation, mainly owing to the presence of Al Pacino as Shylock. The only Shakespeare I had seen him attempt was his lead in Richard III. I was less than impressed by his acting in that one. I'm also always a little ...

Pros: Pacino. Irons. Art direction and costume.

Cons: The storyline is enough to give anyone the crawlies.

The Bottom Line: I had problems with both reviewing and watching this film.

Review: The works of William Shakespeare have always proved to be a fertile ground for Hollywood productions. And why not -- they have gorgeous poetry, strong roles for both men and women, stories that cover both comedy and tragedy, and instant name recognition. ...