Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

William Shakespeare 400th anniversary: The BFI collection of film adaptations you can watch online

The curated programme features the first time the Bard was ever caught on film

Jacob Stolworthy
Saturday 23 April 2016 11:19 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Today (23 April) marks 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare - and you don't have to leave the house to honour the esteemed playwright.

Instead, you can head on over to BFI Player and delve into its commemorative collection of adaptations which date back to as early as 1911.

The occasion coincides nicely with its BFI Presents: Shakespeare On Film season, the curated collection of which is available on its pay-per-view and subscription streaming services.

Going all out for such an anniversary, the BFI has compiled the biggest ever programme of films from over the past one hundred years: silents, shorts and the first example of Shakespeare on camera are all included.

Several of the projects are introduced by the season's ambassador, Sir Ian McKellen, whose Richard III adaptation from 1995 is one of the films available to view.

Other adaptations include Laurence Olivier's Henry V (1944), Akira Kurosawa classic Throne of Blood (1957), and Justin Kurzel's acclaimed Macbeth (2015) starring Michael Fasbender and Marion Cotillard.

The collection perfectly conveys the Bard's legacy on the medium of film through its many pioneers.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in