Midsummer Night's a Dream DVD recommendation?

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  • May 18, 2016 at 2:21 am
    3fallingleaves
    Participant

    I feel like I’ve seen a discussion in this forum with recommendations of particular versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream DVD.  Unfortunately, all of my searches are coming up with nothing.  So…I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good DVD to complete our study of MND?  As always, thanks!

    May 18, 2016 at 8:16 am
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    A few I have previewed

    • The 1935 adaptation produced by Warner Brothers and starring James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, and Mickey Rooney. Features the music Mendelssohn wrote for MND. Highlights the comedy and fantasy elements. Very suitable for children but not completely true to the original script. (143 minutes)
    • The 1981 BBC version directed by Elijah Moshinsky is more faithful to the original script, but carries a more serious tone. (112 minutes)

    The other three that I previewed would be unsuitable for children, IMO,

    • The 1969 Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation by Peter Hall
    • The 1999 version directed by Michael Hoffman and starring Kevin Kline and Michelle Pfeiffer
    • The 1996 version by Adrian Noble
    May 18, 2016 at 10:08 am
    Rachel White
    Participant

    Also unsuitable: The 2016 BBC version adapted by Russell T Davies

    He changed it to have Demetrius, under the influence of magic, fall in love with another male character, Lysander, his rival for the love of Hermia, and try to kiss him.

    Also, Titania spurns Oberon’s advances and instead shares a kiss with Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons

    From my reading, the 1981 BBC version is considered the best

     

     

    May 18, 2016 at 8:06 pm
    Melisa
    Participant

    We recently watched the James Cagney and Micky Rooney version and my kids loved it. They are young, 11 and 9, but I have never seen them laugh so hard. I had to think it would have made The Bard happy to see children that young enjoying his work. They liked it so much that they requested that I re-order it from our library so we could watch it again for family movie night. Not many kids choose Shakespeare for family movie night! It may not be exactly true to script, but is certainly enjoyable.

    May 18, 2016 at 10:34 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    Yes, mine enjoyed that version, too, when they were younger.

    May 19, 2016 at 2:37 pm
    Rachel
    Participant

    If I may, I would like to share the production our homeschool group performed. It is on YouTube, and we had a great time doing it !

    It has always been great for my kids to see other homeschool kids performing Shakespeare! (Oh, and it’s totally family friendly!) 😉

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxFwktynS2g

    Hugs,

    RachelK

    May 20, 2016 at 9:42 am
    3fallingleaves
    Participant

    Thanks for all the great suggestions, especially Rachel, the homeschool one that I would never know about otherwise!  I know my kids will love watching other kids. We will also watch one of the others. I wish we could find one live, but nothing currently in our remote area. Thank you all for saving me much research!!!

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