This film is part of Free
Shakespeare's Country
A tour of Stratford-upon-Avon's houses and hamlets, stomping ground of a young William Shakespeare.
Overview
There's little room in this singularly Shakespeare-themed travelogue for any sights that don't have a whiff of the Bard about them. The young poet's childhood home on Henley Street, Anne Hathaway's Shottery cottage - the scene of his courtship - and his mother's house in Wilmcote all feature, as do Stratford's many pretty timber-framed buildings: "the homes of Shakespeare's intimate friends".
This single-minded production makes just one detour - to visit the house built by the grandparents of John Harvard - founder of the Ivy League university. Also featured are various memorials, including the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, and the idyllic surrounding countryside: "the direct source of much of William Shakespeare's inspiration". It was produced by Islington-based Gainsborough Pictures, the company behind Hitchcock's The Lodger (1926) and The Lady Vanishes (1938) among other British film favourites.
Related
Hamlet Hamlet
Drama 1913 54 mins Silent
Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature
Next Next
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Introduction to Silent Shakespeare Introduction to Silent Shakespeare
Short documentary 2016 9 mins
Discover why filmmakers in the silent era turned to the works of William Shakespeare for inspiration.
Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Twelfth Night Twelfth Night
Comedy 1910 11 mins Silent
Vitagraph’s charming 1910 interpretation features some notably lively performances.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives
Inside Film 2016 31 mins
The stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet are reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film.
About Britain - Second Edition About Britain - Second Edition
Amateur film 1965 12 mins Location: London
Join the Clague family as they zoom up an empty M1 to Stratford upon Avon, Long Itchington and Coventry - a city reborn after its 1940 destruction
Ancient Mop Fair Ancient Mop Fair
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
The annual mop fair in Stratford-Upon-Avon, including the roasting of an ox
Mr. Therm's Review No. 4 Mr. Therm's Review No. 4
Cinemagazine 1955 12 mins Location: Olney
Stained glass, a pancake race and actors Anthony Quayle and Barbara Jefford feature in this promo from the Gas Council
England's Shakespeare England's Shakespeare
Travelogue 1939 18 mins Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Have a trip away from the hustle and bustle and travel by rail to take in the sights of Shakespeare country.
Shakespeareland Shakespeareland
Amateur film 1932 9 mins Silent Location: Wilmcote
Ticking off the tourist attractions of William Shakespeare's old stamping ground in a rather grand Rolls Royce.
British and Best British and Best
Non-Fiction 1928 0 mins Silent Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
A progressive design by a pioneering female architect beats all comers to become the new Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.