Movies for the Day, Sunday, April 23, 2017

Today, April 23, William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in the English language, was born, in 1564, and died, in 1616.  I have selected three movies to celebrate his life, a history, a tragedy and a romance.



Henry V (1945) is the Shakespeare story of Henry
V's battle against France in the early 1400's, during
the Hundred Years War.  Henry V was crowned King
of England on April 9, 1413.







Henry V





Hamlet (1948) is a great tragedy
by Shakespeare.  This movie version
won Oscars for Best Picture, Best
Actor, Laurence Olivier, Costume
Design, and Art/Set Decoration.





Hamlet







West Side Story (1961) updates Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet to young lovers in rival
gangs in 1950s New York City.  This movie, from
a Broadway musical, won Oscars for Best
Picture, Supporting Actor, George Chakiris, Supporting
Actress, Rita Moreno, Director, Cinematography,
Art/Set Decoration, Costume Design, Sound, Film
Editing, and Music.  One of greatest musicals of all
time, this passionate film is on the National Film
Registry.  Three of the  songs are on the American Film
Institute's Greatest Songs list.

West Side Story