Shakespeare on Film: Early Modern Texts, Postmodern Statements

ABSTRACT

Much of Shakespeare film criticism has been concerned with the author's intention and the productions' proximity to the 'original' text. This article examines the problems with such an approach in light of the highly collaborative and intertextual nature of Shakespeare's play-texts. Modern film adaptations must be understood in similar collaborative terms by exploring the many elements and issues involved with film production and marketing. Furthermore, Shakespeare films should be examined in relation to other twentieth-century cultural events and phenomena – just as New Historicist critics have argued Shakespeare's plays reflect early modern social conflicts.