The Merchant of Venice

2004
R
2h 11m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

39K

YOUR RATING

Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, and Lynn Collins in The Merchant of Venice (2004)

Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics

Play trailer2:18

6 Videos

68 Photos

Costume Drama Period Drama Drama Romance

In 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome... Read allIn 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.In 16th century Venice, when a merchant must default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions, the bitterly vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.

Director
- Michael Radford
Writers
- William Shakespeare
- Michael Radford
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

39K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Michael Radford
Writers
- William Shakespeare
- Michael Radford
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 wins & 7 nominations total

Trivia
The bare-breasted prostitutes were not put in the film to make it more risqué, but rather to add a note of historical authenticity. Venetian law at the time required all prostitutes to bare their breasts because the Christian authorities were concerned about rampant homosexuality in their city.

Goofs
In Venice in 1598 a woman with no head-dress and her hair flowing loose would be taken for a whore, yet this is how Portia frequently appears.

Quotes
Shylock: I am a Jew! Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be - by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard - but I will better the instruction.

Crazy credits
PROLOGUE: "Intolerance of the Jews was a fact of 16th century life even in Venice, the most powerful and liberal city state in Europe."

"By law the Jews were forced to live in the old walled foundry or 'Geto' area of the city. After sundown the gate was locked and guarded by Christians."

"In the daytime any man leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as a Jew."

"The Jews were forbidden to own property. Thus, they practiced usury, the practice of lending money at interest. This was against Christian law."

"The sophisticated Venetians would turn a blind eye to it but for the religious fanatics, who hated the Jews, it was another matter . . . "

Connections
Featured in 'Merchant of Venice': Shakespeare Through the Lens (2005)

Soundtracks
With Wand'ring Steps
Composed by Jocelyn Pook, Lyrics by John Milton
Arranged by Jocelyn Pook
Performed by Baroque Strings Quartet Ensemble, featuring solo vocals by Andreas Scholl
Harp: Siobhan Armstrong
Psaltery: Harvey Brough
Lute: Elizabeth Kenny
Published by Shylock Ltd / EMI Music Publishing Ltd
© 2004 Decca Music Group Limited
(p) Jocelyn Pook Ltd. /2004 Decca Music Group Limited

User reviews179

Review

Featured review

Brilliant film, if ever so slightly too long (Pacino is magnificent)

this film was truly amazing to watch, the costumes and scenery were first-class. Michael Radford has done a tremendous job, on a fairly constrained budget (as he said at the London Premiere). Costumes and general time period pieces were exquisite and Oscar nominations for these would seem in the running.

The acting was simply superb. Al Pacino was (as ALWAYS) perfect. He captured the torture of emotions that run through Shylock impeccably and easily stole the spotlight whenever he was on screen. Jeremy Irons paved the way for great British acting in his earlier times, and now has done the same. Also Lynn Collins, a fairly recent newcomer was perfect as Portia. She was stunning to look at and managed to pull of the speeches with grace.

Although i have all this praise, the film was definitely over-long and many scenes seemed to me like they could have done with a few edits or too. However, the atmosphere of Venice was amazing and it truly felt real in all the mannerisms of the actors.

Ultimately a very successful and ambitious film, that leaves nothing to the imagination, as it is a very realistic approach to Shakespeare. Beautiful to look at and incredible actors too (especially for Pacino) make this a great film that i would watch again an recommend at the drop of a Venetian hat.