The works of Shakespeare can be a somewhat acquired taste. Though written in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Bard’s plays are more often than not adapted for the screen with story beats done to the letter and with antiquated dialogue intact. Hearing that iambic pentameter spoken in the modern day can be cat nip for some, while for others there’s just no getting used to it.
The latest Shakespeare adaptation to come to cinemas, Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, arrives with that tricky dialogue intact. That said, it’s also an adaptation that attempts to modernize Shakespeare for new audiences, by upping the stylization and violence whilst introducing a heavy dose of dogged realism.
Kurzel’s is a film that tries to bring Shakespeare kicking and screaming into the modern age, while also keeping an eye on viewers who might not necessarily normally find the Bard appealing. It’s not a revolutionary film, but it does the job: Kurzel’s Macbeth is made for those who normally can’t stand seeing Shakespeare on-screen.
So, in honor of it, here are seven other great examples of Shakespeare movies that were made for the Shakespeare haters.