AS YOU LIKE IT stratford collection dvd shakespeare

I had recently purchased the Alpha Video version of this 1937 classic andwhen I viewed it I just died. Beat up, cut up, scratched up copy of this timeless classic. Lousy sound quality to boot. The Alpha Video film didn't even feature the Twentieth Century fanfare opening ("Da da da da - da da da da DA..." you know it) which is included on the superior Blackhawk Films collection transfer.The long and short is this is the best DVD of AS YOU LIKE IT on the market. Yes, you'll pay a premium for it, but I was thrilled by the quality of the film and the superb performances of Olivier and Elisabeth Bergner shine through. This was the first Olivier Shakespeare production, and from a historic perspective it demonstrates the genesis of his craft. Elisabeth Bergner's rendition is nothing short of ethereal and can never be duplicated. If you are a fan of this age old classic do your self a favor and buy this version. Although not perfect, I consider it to be one of Shakespeare's best film adaptations ever and, by gosh, shouldn't you be able to enjoy the play without having to be distracted by poor technical considerations? Enough said.

This old movie was a vehicle for--wait for it--a German actress of the 1930's named Elizabeth Bergner. A German actress of the 1930's starring in an English production? There's got to be a story there. Anyway, she delayed making this picture until her German accent was (mostly) trained out of her voice, and that delay gave us the most valuable aspect of the production: a young Laurence Olivier in his first movie. Most interestingly, he filmed during the day and performed Romeo on stage in the evenings! There's a good scattering of some other future stars of Britain as well, but if you want Shakespeare in the 1930's try A Midsummer Night's Dream as directed by Max Rheinhardt. Yes--another German in the 1930's. It all worked out eventually.

I really enjoyed the majority of the cast in this version. The quality of the recording is not the best, but based on when it was made I did not really think that detail was that big of a deal. I used this to help me get through the written play for a college class, and it follows the text relatively consistently. Some lines have been removed, I am assuming that this is for the purpose of time, and the story itself is still easy to follow along with in the text. Rosalind is played by a woman in this version, and the film made an interesting choice based on this for the epilogue. Overall, decent copy, easy to follow along with if using a text copy of the play. Best of As You Like It on Amazon Prime to get a clear understanding of the plot and characters.

Loving Shakespeare as I do, I was so willing to give this a try and remain open-minded, but I'm sorry to say it's appallingly bad! The least critical thing I can say is that it's boring and uncomfortable, mostly because Bergner (who plays Rosalind) and Olivier (as Orlando) have no on-screen chemistry whatsoever and it's the passion and tension between the two lovers that is the key to a successful play. There's none of that here. Olivier seems to be putting up with his silly co-star, anxious to please the producers no doubt. Bergner seems to have been a silent-movie actress, because her gestures and facial expressions are highly exaggerated. When she does speak, it's with a strong accent and she throws out her voice as if she is projecting from a stage to the back seats, carefully biting off each word slowly, one at a time. Since English is her second language, one wonders if she didn't take speech lessons and her acting coach was accustomed to the theater, not the soundstage. What a difference when Olivier speaks! He is polished, relaxed, and his comfort with performing Shakespeare makes his lines sound natural and conversational. The one thing positive I can say about this film is that the incredible sets are worth taking a look: a sumptuous palace with huge, ornately-furnished rooms, then a large forest, complete with a massive waterfall. An entire flock of sheep, a herd of goats, and a barn with a cow are all brought in to make a convincing rural life seem to be taking place. Otherwise, don't waste your time. There are other films of this play that are much more satisfying.

Yes it's not the complete play, it's a bit abridged, but to those who know "As You Like it" this has to be the performance to beat.The music, the costumes, the unforgettable performance of Elisabeth Bergner as "Rosalind". Great theater. Shakespeare at his best.It would be hard to watch if you are an aspiring actress. Bergner is so inspired and if only Shakespeare could have seen this film himself, no doubt he would have been amazed. William Waltons score could stand alone (and has) as a rollicking, earthy, and lusty setting for the play. I don't know if there is anything else like it in theater history. A perfect introduction to Shakespeare & his songs. The print quality of this DVD is excellent, both visually and sonically, considering that the film dates from 1936.

I had this movie on VHS and knew that I liked it. I watched it and it played fairly well until the last scene, then it really started to break up. I have bought from the store before and this is the first time I have ever had trouble. I am unsure whether to return it for a replacement, or to see if I can fix it.

This film benefits considerably from the excellent portrayal of Orlando by Laurence Olivia. Of course, the sound and video quality is limited to that typical of 1930's films. Also it was unfortunate that the heroine had a strong foreign accent making full appreciation of the marvellous verses challenging.

I personally prefer Shakespeare's tragedies, history and king plays but decided to view this too. It was (a very young) Olivier's first Shakespeare role on film. As usual with film versions the original play has been considerably cutdown. His 'comedies' do not particularly appeal to me but I enjoyed this - sort of. I still prefer his tragedies, histories, etc...

With a young Olivier and a uncompelling actress. what should have been an enjoyable play didn't come together. I didn't bother to finish it and have given it away.

It's a rare privilege to see and hear legendary actors such as like Henry Ainlie and Leon Quatermain in a wonderfully-realised production. Not only do we see the a very young upcoming actor called Laurence Olivier bur get to appreciate the early talents of such renowned figures of the movie world such as Jack Cardiff and David Lean. For any lover of Shakespeare this is a must! The quality of the print has to be see to be believed.

This is a charming version of Shakespeare's curious and unlikely tale, with a young Laurence Olivier and a very charming Elisabeth Bergner (despite the fluctuating accent). The settings are beautiful and the supporting cast convincing. Both the sound and the picture quality are very good. Highly reccommended!