The year is 1613, Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of the age. But disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground, and, devastated, Shakespeare returns to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family. Haunted by the death of his only son Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationships with his wife and daughters. In so doing, he is ruthlessly forced to examine his own failings as husband and father. His very personal search for the truth uncovers secrets and lies within a family at war. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, with Branagh, Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.
“Branagh [has] concocted a respectful story of loss, regret and wistful genius.” — Janet Catsoulis, New York Times
“[A]n intriguing speculative drama about the playwright’s final years.” — Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
“In a mesmerizing meditation on Shakespeare’s last days, director-star Kenneth Branagh shuns the idea of the Bard as a literary rock star to find the flawed, touchingly human man inside.” — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
directed by
Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh
written by
Ben Elton
Ben Elton
with
Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Lolita Chakrabarti
Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Lolita Chakrabarti
country
UK
UK
production company
Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics