Shakespeare: The Animated Tales  - TV series (1992)

1. A Midsummer Night's Dream

Mark as watched

09/11/1992

Four young lovers, trying to resolve their passions, and six worthy workmen, trying to rehearse a play, stumble about in a dark, haunted wood, while the powerful spirits play havoc with their hearts and minds.

Four young lovers, trying to resolve their passions, and six worthy workmen, trying to rehearse a play, stumble about in a dark, haunted wood, while the powerful spirits play havoc with their hearts and minds.

2. The Tempest

Mark as watched

16/11/1992

Prospero, a powerful magician, lives on an island with his daughter Miranda. They are served by Caliban, a hideous monster, and Ariel, a wild, discontented spirit.

Prospero, a powerful magician, lives on an island with his daughter Miranda. They are served by Caliban, a hideous monster, and Ariel, a wild, discontented spirit.

1. King Richard III

Mark as watched

02/11/1994

A portrayal of Shakespeare's darkest villain Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and his unquenchable thirst for the throne.

A portrayal of Shakespeare's darkest villain Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and his unquenchable thirst for the throne.

2. The Taming of the Shrew

Mark as watched

09/11/1994

Shakespeare's witty battle of the sexes is given a fresh airing in puppet animation. The unlikely bonding of a headstrong Kate and domineering Petruchio is only one aspect of a play about change and the magical transformations that theatre can produce.

Shakespeare's witty battle of the sexes is given a fresh airing in puppet animation. The unlikely bonding of a headstrong Kate and domineering Petruchio is only one aspect of a play about change and the magical transformations that theatre can produce.

3. As You Like It

Mark as watched

16/11/1994

This bright and comic tale is famed as the only play written by Shakespeare in which he is known to have appeared himself - playing Adam, the old retainer to the hero Orlando. The sunniest of his comedies, the play tells of a group of courtiers escaping to the Forest of Arden where they meet, philosophise and fall in love.

This bright and comic tale is famed as the only play written by Shakespeare in which he is known to have appeared himself - playing Adam, the old retainer to the hero Orlando. The sunniest of his comedies, the play tells of a group of courtiers escaping to the Forest of Arden where they meet, philosophise and fall in love.

4. Julius Caesar

Mark as watched

30/11/1994

A compelling study of personal ambition versus the good of the state.

A compelling study of personal ambition versus the good of the state.

5. The Winter's Tale

Mark as watched

07/12/1994

Exquisitely sculptured Russian puppets perform this powerful and enchanting story full of regal and rustic characters. A fit of temper has tragic results for King Leontes. Sixteen years later, the gods and humbler mortals intervene to craft a happy, magical ending.

Exquisitely sculptured Russian puppets perform this powerful and enchanting story full of regal and rustic characters. A fit of temper has tragic results for King Leontes. Sixteen years later, the gods and humbler mortals intervene to craft a happy, magical ending.

6. Othello

Mark as watched

14/12/1994

In the last in the series, the playwright's most famous dramatic study of jealousy and its tragic effects are conveyed vividly in a striking drawn animation style. The warmth of the Mediterranean contrasts with the coldness in lago's heart as he turns his noble master, Othello, against the beautiful and innocent Desdemona.

In the last in the series, the playwright's most famous dramatic study of jealousy and its tragic effects are conveyed vividly in a striking drawn animation style. The warmth of the Mediterranean contrasts with the coldness in lago's heart as he turns his noble master, Othello, against the beautiful and innocent Desdemona.