Anonymous

An interesting thing about human nature is that incredible events get analysed so much and questioned for their authenticity. One such incredible event is the amazing writings of William Shakespeare.

I am one of the millions of people who love the works of William Shakespeare. I studied a few of his plays at school, which was not much fun, but I do love to see his plays performed. I do not see them performed on stage, as they were intended, but I do see many of the films. He is truly one of the greatest writers who has ever lived. I can understand that this greatness will be analysed a lot. People have researched Shakespeare himself and his life but cannot understand how this man wrote what is attributed to him. If this film is an accurate portrayal he is an illiterate fool and more than likely not have written all those plays and poems and sonnets.

Writer John Orloff has created a brilliant story that incorporates the conspiracy theory about Shakespeare and weaving that into the story of British royalty at the time. I have always been a fan of this period in time and so have seen many films about Queen Elizabeth. So it was wonderful to see a different take on the period and the monarch. There are so many lovely twists and turns in the plot that you are kept interested the whole time. As you would expect there are some great references to Shakespeare's plays woven into the plot as well. After blowing up the world several times over it is great to see Roland Emmerich make a film that kind of creates a new world. His direction is excellent here and proves he is not just the master of action blockbusters. The production design and costumes are so lovely as well.

Roland has assembled an excellent cast of British actors. Rhys Ifans is one of those actors who has been lurking in the background of films for ages and doing excellent work. Now he steps into the spotlight. He is brilliant in this role. We always knew he was great but now that he gets a leading role that just emphasises it. Sebastian Armesto is very good as the man originally chosen to be the 'ghost writer'. Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson are brilliant as the young and older Queen Elizabeth. Rafe Spall is excellent as Shakespeare. For a film about the 'writer' he has a nice supporting role. Edward Hogg is wonderfully slimy and evil as the Earl Of Oxford's main rival.

It does not matter if you believe the story or not, this is an excellent story. Full of wonderful political intrigue and mystery that is very entertaining.