Details

One of Shakespeare's best loved and well known plays has been filmed as a critically acclaimed and sumptuous adaptation starring the legendary Al Pacino, The Merchant Of Venice will be available to rent and own on DVD 11 April 2005 from MGM Home Entertainment Limited.

Written and directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA winner Michael Radford (Il Postino, 1984), The Merchant Of Venice boasts an all star cast including Pacino (The Godfather, The Insider, Scent of a Woman) who is joined by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune, Being Julia) as Antonio and Joseph Fiennes (Enemy at the Gate, Shakespeare in Love) as the love struck Bassanio. Starring alongside them are newcomers Lynn Collins (Down with Love, 50 First Dates) as Portia and Charlie Cox (Dot the I) as Lorenzo. British favourites Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Kris Marshall (Love Actually) also star.

Set in 16th century Venice, Shakespeare's timeless comedy/drama follows the fates and fortunes of a group of Christian noblemen and their interactions with the Jewish moneylender Shylock, played with great intensity and sympathy by Pacino. Antonio (Irons) borrows money from Shylock to help his young penniless friend Bassanio (Fiennes) in his quest to win the hand of the fair Portia (Collins). Bitter at Antonio's previous insults, Shylock stipulates very specific terms if he defaults on the loan.

As Antonio's shipping business is devastated by storms, Shylock is further angered by his daughter's elopement with the nobleman Lorenzo (Cox). The loan falls due and Shylock claims his forfeit in the form of a pound of Antonio's flesh. As Bassanio desperately tries to save Antonio from this fate, miraculous help comes from an unexpected and mischievous quarter, culminating in the famous courtroom battle that argues the 'quality of mercy'.

Beautifully shot in Venice and a showcase of powerful performances, this elegant adaptation is full of smart wit and dazzling legal battles set against a Venetian backdrop of shadowy alleys, glittering edifices and menacing masques.