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Shakespeare in Love (1998)
7.3
Ratings: 7.3/10 from 102,673 users
Metascore:
87/100
Reviews: 722 user | 118 critic | 33 from Metacritic.com A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays. Director:John Madden |
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123 min - 
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Won 7 Oscars.
Another
46 wins
&
62 nominations
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Geoffrey Rush | ... | ||
| Tom Wilkinson | ... | ||
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Steven O'Donnell | ... |
Lambert
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Tim McMullan | ... |
Frees
(as Tim McMullen)
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| Joseph Fiennes | ... | ||
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Steven Beard | ... |
Makepeace - the Preacher
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| Antony Sher | ... |
Dr. Moth
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Patrick Barlow | ... | |
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Martin Clunes | ... | |
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Sandra Reinton | ... | |
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Simon Callow | ... | |
| Judi Dench | ... | ||
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Bridget McConnell | ... |
Lady in Waiting
(as Bridget McConnel)
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Georgie Glen | ... |
Lady in Waiting
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| Nicholas Boulton | ... |
Henry Condell
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Storyline
Will Shakespeare is a known but struggling poet, playwright and actor who not only has sold his next play to both Philip Henslow and Richard Burbidge but now faces a far more difficult problem: he is bereft of ideas and has yet to begin writing. He is in search of his muse, the woman who will inspire him but all attempts fail him until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps. She loves the theatre and would like nothing more than to take to the stage but is forbidden from doing so as only men can be actors. She is also a great admirer of Shakespeare's works. Dressing as a man and going by the name of Thomas Kent, she auditions and is ideal for a part in his next play. Shakespeare soon see through her disguise and they begin a love affair, one they know cannot end happily for them as he is already married and she has been promised to the dour Lord Wessex. As the company rehearses his new play... Written by garykmcd
Plot Summary | Plot SynopsisTaglines:
Love is the only inspiration See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
(USA) See more »Also Known As:
Shakespeare apasionado See more »Box Office
Budget:
$25,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$224,012 (USA) (13 December 1998) (8 Screens)Gross:
$100,241,322 (USA) (25 July 1999)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Philip Henslowe: [screams in pain]
Hugh Fennyman: Henslowe! Do you know what happens to a man who doesn't pay his debts? His boots catch fire!
Philip Henslowe: [screams]
Hugh Fennyman: Why do you howl when it is I who am bitten?
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Stephen Warbeck
Performed by Catherine Bott
Conducted by Nick Ingman See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The boatman who rows William Shakespeare says, "I had that Christopher Marlowe in my boat once." This is a reference to the stereotypical remark of London taxi drivers about their famous customers: "I had that [famous name] in the back of my cab once." See more »Goofs
Revealing mistakes: When Will and Viola are in bed together the morning after their first tryst, the bed sheets are pulled to provide concealment in such a way that only someone not in the bed (and off camera) could physically do. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Philip Henslowe: [screams in pain]
Hugh Fennyman: Henslowe! Do you know what happens to a man who doesn't pay his debts? His boots catch fire!
Philip Henslowe: [screams]
Hugh Fennyman: Why do you howl when it is I who am bitten?
See more »
Connections
Featured in "Siskel & Ebert: Message in a Bottle/My Favorite Martian/Children of Heaven/Blast from the Past/God Said, 'Ha!'" (1999) See more »Soundtracks
"The Play & the Marriage"(uncredited)
Written by Stephen Warbeck
Performed by Catherine Bott
Conducted by Nick Ingman See more »
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