ScarletSpider87

This film is a fairly faithful adaptation of the Gothic short story "Wake Not The Dead" by Ernst Raupach (which is misattributed to Ludwig Tieck in many sources, including the opening credits of this film). Definitely read the source material before you watch the film, and your enjoyment of the film will be much greater. Of course, as is often the case, the short story is better, and the few ways in which this film diverges from the original story are detrimental to the film. Nevertheless, it is overall very faithful to the tone and message of Raupach. It has a lovely Medieval setting and Gothic tone.

The 1983 Stratford Festival production of "The Tempest" is traditional and faithful to Shakespeare's original intent. It is also beautifully acted. Everyone is at the top of their game here. It will make you laugh; it will stir your heart; it may even move you to tears.

Len Cariou is an amazing Prospero. He inhabits the character. Over the course of the play you watch him show the full range of emotions, from rage to sorrow to love to joy, and he makes you believe every time that he truly feels it.

The costumes are lavish and appropriate to the characters. The music is beautiful and memorable.

Above all, Shakespeare's beautiful message of true love and mercy shines through here as in no other production. After watching this, one will realize how art can truly inspire and cultivate the human soul.

This production is unwatchable because of the horrible performance of the lead William Houston. He has absolutely no instincts. His performance is on par with William Shatner's worst moments. He delivers all of his lines in a ridiculous and hammy way, with the emphases in all the wrong places. He completely misunderstands the character of Titus Andronicus. It is just a train wreck. He honestly looks like he is having a stroke at times or maybe just some constipation.

This is sad, because the other actors all did excellent, especially the actors who played Marcus Andronicus and Aaron the Moor. They nailed their parts. Honestly, everyone else did great. But there is no way to get over that the lead character makes or breaks a film. He is in almost every scene, and it is enough to ruin it. I cannot believe that no one stopped him during rehearsals and said how terrible he was.

Watch instead the Titus Andronicus in the BBC Television Shakespeare production directed by Jane Howell. There Titus Andronicus is played by Trevor Peacock, who does an excellent job in every scene. Thankfully the rest of the production is up to par too, so there is no reason to watch any other.

I'm writing this to spare you the pain. If you have read the play first (which you should always do before watching the film), and understand what Titus Andronicus is meant to be, you will be very disappointed if you watch this production.