William Shakespeare does not disappoint. This adaptation of Titus Andronicus lets Hopkins and Lange shine as Titus and the evil queen of the Goths. In large part, this movie is thrilling and captures the saga of Titus well, with dramatic cinamatography and emotionally moving sequences. However, the director has also interjected bizarre dream-like sequences and 20th century imagery which are confusing and distracting. None-the-less, this is a stunning movie, a tale of astounding tragedy, Roman excess, honor and revenge. With Hopkins and Lange, you will not regret seeing this

Having just read Titus Andronicus for the first time I was eager to take a look at the 1999 film version. I found it an uplifting experience, because though the film was quite different to my own visualization of the story, it was a perfectly consistent modern take that both respected the language and construction of the original play and provided an exciting, personal interpretation –respectful of Shakespeare but true to itself. In fact, I rate it as among the best screen versions of Shakespeare's work. Perhaps because it also succeeds in balancing on a line that is purely theatrical on one side and purely cinematic on the other –so that though I often feel I am watching a film of a stage production, I never feel constrained by this, for the film is genuinely and richly cinematic. I am also extremely glad that a certain amount of restraint was shown in the direction –it could so easily have been totally overloaded with effects, forced gimmicks and gore, but here the visuals –and impressive they are– never overpower the language and the interaction between the characters.

The performances are of a high level throughout, and the actors are all comfortable with the language, which is a relief because so many other "modern" versions of Shakespeare suffer from an inconsistent mixing of acting styles that distract us momentarily from the story. Here there is no attempt to slur the dialogue to make it seem "real" –it succeeds because it retains its metre and theatricality. I think Anthony Hopkins' performance is interestingly low-key and playful –the character itself is a difficult one to fully sympathize with– but Hopkins takes us down many different paths. He is both former hard general, ambitious and later grieving father, warm grandfather figure, madman, avenger –a complex character indeed. And again, the restraint in his performance says more than any rant. I also particularly like the pairing of him with Colm Feore as his brother. Alan Cumming gives a very memorable performance as the emperor –I found this character difficult to fully get hold of when I read the play, but the boldness and audacity shown by Cumming makes him very clear –and again it's never over- the-top as it so easily could be.

I think it does help to know at least something of the play before seeing the film as there is no real explanation of exactly who is who to begin with and this may cause some confusion – the unravelling of characters and their relationships is equally challenging in the opening of the play, so the fault (if it can be called that) lies with Shakespeare. The whole first act is a bit of a mess –perhaps intentionally– and though we are able to work out who is who and what their relationship is to the next person, it does demand a bit of extra concentration at the beginning of the film that could perhaps have benefited from some form of narration or on- screen signing. This is, however, my only complaint –otherwise I found the film marvellous; utterly shocking, of course, but marvellously shocking!

I wasn't going to comment on Titus, particularly, but I thought in case someone who wasn't a film theory and/or Shakespeare maven wanted to know about it, I'd leave a somewhat normal review, for this completely abnormal film.

First, I was interested in seeing this because of 1. Anthony Hopkins and 2. I'd read that this play is regularly rated as Shakespeare's worst by contemporary reviewers, but was also by far his most popular play in his own lifetime. I would be interested to know how many of the reviewers who gush over this play, also hold their noses up at modern slasher films (or would fall all over themselves, explaining how Titus is something much more meaningful.) I do agree with those that said (let's see if I can do it in less than 5000 words though) this lacks Shakespeare's more subtle plotting and language in his better known plays, but the raw power and intensity of the story in Titus is also very compelling. And it is quite cool, in AH's final scene, when he starts out as "Remains Of The Day" Sir Anthony at the beginning of the scene (serving dinner no less), and ends the scene as "Hannibal Lecter" Hopkins. Hannibal Lecter on crack, even. Booyah.

Re: Jessica Lange, she's never been to my taste, so me not being impressed is probably just me. And Alan Cumming is always such a delightful freak of nature. I'm more than half convinced he's an alien life form. He very wisely chooses roles that suit an alien freak perfectly.